Governor Abiodun pays N500m gratuity to retired Ogun citizens

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, paid a total sum of N500 million to retired citizens of certain state and Local Government Areas.

While presenting cheques to the retired citizens at Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Abiodun made an apology on behalf of the past government for delaying to pay their gratuities.

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun

Top Naija reports that the Governor had, in an understanding between government and labour leaders, vowed to be paying N500 million quarterly as gratuities to the retirees.

The Governor, who disclosed that a lot of the payments were inherited liabilities from the past government, guaranteed that the procedure of paying the gratuities had commenced and would certainly go on.

Abiodun stated that the N500 million, presented to 257 recipients, signified the quarterly payment of gratuity to them.

He said, “This is a promise made and promise kept. I promise to do this on quarterly basis.

“We are gradually getting out of the economics of COVID-19 and it is just reasonable that as we give other sectors of the economy due attention for their post COVID-19 sustainability, our elder statesmen and women also deserve due attention.

“Apart from the payment of monetary entitlements, let me also assure our elder statesmen and women that we are committed to providing other opportunities for them under our social welfare scheme.

“I enjoin our dear elders to take advantage of our administration’s various social intervention programmes.

“For those of you, who are into micro and small businesses, you can key into ‘Okowo Dapo’, a micro-credit scheme that provides a window for women to access financial resources.

“It empowers our people to expand their micro and small businesses.”

The governor further appealed to the retirees to go on with their support, collaboration and prayers, not just for the successful execution of government programmes, but also, for the continuous growth of the state.

He said, “As retirees, you have served Ogun, you are an embodiment of wisdom and no responsible government will toy with its source of wisdom.

“We enjoin you to continue to put forward your contributions and elderly advice at all times.”