NUP praises Aiyedatiwa, urges immediate action on ₦26 Billion local government gratuities

The Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), led by Hon. Johnson Osunyemi, attributes its achievements to a deep reverence for God and a commitment to selfless service by its members.

The union's leadership passionately commended Ondo State Governor, His Excellency Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for his unwavering dedication and support for pensioners in the state.

During a media interaction with members of the Federated Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists on July 10, 2024, in Akure, Hon. Johnson Osunyemi and Comrade Akin Sunday, the Chairman and Administrative Secretary of the Union, respectively, expressed their gratitude.

Hon. Osunyemi highlighted that Ondo State NUP was the first to benefit from the 33% and consequential pensions adjustment resulting from the ₦30,000 minimum wage for workers in 2021. He praised Governor Aiyedatiwa for his responsiveness, dating back to his tenure as Deputy Governor, noting that pension arrears of seven months for local government pensioners and six months for state pensioners, left by the previous administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, were cleared under the current administration.

“We are grateful to the Governor for reinstating the ₦10,000 monthly palliative to pensioners, which had been halted, and for the recent disbursement of ₦1 billion for Batch A 2012 gratuity for local government pensioners,” Osunyemi stated.

Hon. Osunyemi further emphasized the Governor's commitment, contrasting it with the neglect pensioners faced under previous administrations. “All pensioners have two benefits from the government: gratuities and monthly pensions. Governor Aiyedatiwa has provided solutions for clearing the backlog of gratuities through quarterly bulk payments. The seven-month arrears left by the Mimiko administration have been cleared under the current government.”

Expressing their gratitude, he mentioned how pensioners from Kogi State had shared their struggles, highlighting the positive contrast in Ondo State under Governor Aiyedatiwa's leadership.

He also appreciated the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for advocating for pensioners in the state. Reflecting on the union's achievements, including the construction of an exquisite administrative building, a 16-room chalet, an event hall, and a guest house, Osunyemi credited the accomplishments to the dedication of its members.

“Our large structure was built through the sacrifices of our members. This sacrifice is paying off, as we recently distributed ₦4.5 million among affiliate bodies who are key partners in the project,” he added.

Addressing the union's needs, Osunyemi urged the government to address the ₦26 billion backlog of gratuities for local government pensioners and to increase the gratuity disbursement to ₦2 billion.

“We also request that the government remember pensioners when the minimum wage is increased, as we are often overlooked,” he stressed.

Comrade Akin Sunday, the union’s Administrative Secretary, reiterated that the NUP remains the largest union in the state and the country. He explained the union's structure from the national to the local level and emphasized its mandate to ensure the welfare of pensioners, providing assistance for medical checks when necessary.

He mentioned that the union has facilitated health provisions for members through subscriptions to the Orange Health Policy available to state workers and has financially supported members undergoing medical surgeries.

He encouraged public servants to support efforts to improve the lives of pensioners, reminding them that NUP is their final destination as civil servants.

Both Hon. Johnson Osunyemi and Comrade Akin Sunday answered various questions from the Federated Chapel of NUJ members satisfactorily.

Highlighting the union’s success, Osunyemi mentioned the consecutive three-year distribution of ₦4.5 million dividends to affiliated bodies, the construction of a modern office complex with state-of-the-art facilities, and the development of a modern event center and chalets.

He urged the public to patronize the union's state-of-the-art facilities at a reasonable cost.