Governor Rauf Aregbesola has released N1.2bn for the payment of pensions and gratuity and had begun issuance of cheques to 2006 pensioners who retired from the state civil service in 2011/2012.
The cheques were handed over to the pensioners by the Head of Service, Mr Fetus Ologboyega Oyebade and other government officials at the state Secretariat in Abere, while cheques were being given to every pensioner who had perfected his retirement documents with the government.
The government also stated that for any of the pensioners that have died, his or her next of kin would have to present documents like death certificate, letter of administration and other necessary papers to the government for collection of the cheque.
The HOS commended Governor Aregbesola for providing the whopping sum of N1.3bn to pay pensioners despite the paucity of fund in the state, describing him as a people friendly governor.
Aregbesola had, last week, approved the release of N1 billion for the payment of pension to retired civil servants in the state while a sum of N200 million was provided to pay gratuity to those who retired ahead of the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The governor, he said, had also directed the release of an additional N150 million which will be distributed to more pensioners soon.
This is a sign that the governor is committed to the welfare of the people and is ready to fulfill his promises to them.
Kikiowo Ileowo,
Osun State
