The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ogun State Council, has appealed to Prince Dapo Abiodun, the State Governor, to release outstanding gratuities from January 2021 to June 2025 and equally approve consequential pension increases for long-standing retirees.
The plea was made by the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Waheed Oloyede, in his address at the 2026 Pensioners Day Celebration held in Abeokuta, on Thursday.
The Union commended the Abiodun administration for all that he had done for the senior citizens, saying they are asking for more to reduce their plights.
He said, “As Oliver Twist, we are wont to ask for more. We humbly request that you benevolently approve that the remaining gratuity from January 2021 to June 2025 be released to would-be beneficiaries to allow our long expectant members a ray of hope.”
The NUP chairman also drew attention to the non-implementation of consequential increases in pensions arising from the 2019 Federal Government circular and the recent National Minimum Wage increases.
He lamented that many members who retired 10, 25 to 30 years ago still earn as low as N30,000 monthly pension despite skyrocketing costs of drugs, food and other necessities.
“The cost of drugs, foods and other necessities have skyrocketed out of the reach of the ordinary citizen, resulting in serious health challenges and eventually leading into untimely deaths,” he said.
Oloyede said approval of the adjustment would bring relief, ensure parity and enhance the welfare of senior citizens, adding that it would imprint the governor’s name in gold in the history of the state.
He however expressed deep appreciation to Governor Abiodun for what he described as unprecedented compassion to pensioners, thanking him for prompt and regular payment of monthly pensions, noting that unlike many states, Ogun pensioners now receive pensions as and when due.
“You have restored our dignity and given us peace of mind. You have wiped away tears from the faces of our aged members,” he said.
Oloyede also commended the administration for releasing backlog of gratuity owed by previous administrations up to December 2020 for state retirees and December 2021 for local government retirees describing it as running into multiple billions of naira.
“For many years, many of our members died without receiving their gratuity. Your administration has changed that ugly narrative,” he added.
He further appreciated the free Health Insurance Scheme for state and local government pensioners, but noted misgivings and complaints about its implementation at health facilities, urging the supervising agency to look into it.
In his goodwill message, the Ogun NLC Chairman, Comrade Hameed Ademola-Benco, appreciated the state governor for all what he had done, urging him to kindly look into every grievances that has been table, noting that retirees should not struggle for their benefit.
Responding, Governor Dapo Abiodun who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr Olaranwaju Saka, said all they are asking for is their right, nothing that his administration is already looking into their demands.
He assured retirees that government would continue to honour its obligations and deploy available resources to address outstanding retirement benefits.