Osun State Government has released the sum of N200 million to partly offset arrears of pensions owed to the retired workers in the state.
The State Head of Service (HoS), Dr Festus Oyebade, gave this hint during the Year 2021 annual inter-religious prayer session held at the State Government Secretariat, Abere to usher in the 2021New Year.
According to the HoS, the state government has consistently showed great commitment to the welfare of the state pensioners with the release of funds to ensure they live their post-service years well without undermining the welfare of those still in active service.
Oyebade lauded Governor Gboyega Oyetola for not only paying the workers’ salaries for the month of December 2020 before Christmas but for also making sure that some pensioners under the contributory pension scheme got paid their arrears for the first time since 2016.
He explained: “Just when the beneficiaries said they wanted to come and appreciate the Governor for making their welfare priority, he approved another N200 million this morning to further offset pension arrears.
“Aside from this, the Governor had approved N 200 million for those who have not had their contributory pensions. This is a laudable feat because the pensioners have not had it this good since 2016”, the HoS added.
The Governor, who was represented during the prayer sessions by his deputy, Benedict Alabi, charged workers in the state to consider their positions as an opportunity to serve the people and a privilege to sow the right seeds for the harvest that the State desires, urging them to show more commitment to excellent service delivery.
He said: “I am certain that all the religions here represented place premium on the power of sowing and reaping. It is the universal principle that governs the earth. I enjoin you all to make a resolution to use this year as an opportunity you have at another shot at life, to sow the seed of improved service delivery in expectation for a bountiful harvest of progress for our State and yourselves.
”I must also register my profound appreciation to you, my dearly beloved Osun workers, for the invaluable role you have played since the assumption of our Administration a little over two years ago.
“Your contributions, support, and sacrifices are important building blocks on which the vision of our Development Agenda is actualised. I, therefore, use this opportunity to thank you all for your sustained supports”, Governor Oyetola added.
