Osun State Governor Adegoyega Oyetola, on Thursday said his administration has spent over N43 billion on pensions.
The governor stated this while presenting bond certificates worth N1.156 billion to 162 pensioners, comprising primary school teachers, local government workers, those in the core civil service, parastatals and state-owned tertiary institutions.
A breakdown shows that 93 retirees from local government service and primary schools were presented N656,304,000 bond certificates while 69 retirees from the core civil service, parastatals and tertiary institutions got N500 million bond certificates.
The governor also ordered the immediate implementation of the 65 years retirement age and 40 years length of service for teachers in public schools. This, he said, is to fulfil the pledge he made to workers during the last May Day celebration.
He added: “As at today, we have committed a little over N43 billion to the payment of pensions, all in a bid to ensure that our senior citizens are taken care of, having served our state meritoriously. This, we are committed to do unabated, not minding the precarious financial situation of the state. “Our administration is set to begin the implementation of the 65 years of age and 40 years length of service for teachers in public schools. This is in line with my pronouncement during the May Day celebration, and in adopting the Federal Government’s policy on the matter as amended.”
Chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Jacob Adekomi and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) lauded Oyetola for his support for workers, saying the new feat was a clear manifestation of his love for teachers and the profession.
