Ondo Governor Releases N3.9 Billion Gratuities to Over 1,000 Retirees

(Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Photo Credit: Ondo State Government House)

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has started paying nearly 3.9 billion naira in gratuities to over 1,000 local government workers and primary school teachers who retired in 2016.

The governor flagged off the payment on Thursday, saying it was not a favour but an obligation to workers who served the state.

The money will be transferred directly into the retirees' bank accounts.

He said the payment was meant to bring joy to senior citizens who spent their most productive years building Ondo State.

He acknowledged that some retirees died without enjoying what they had earned, and he wanted to assure their families that their sacrifices wouldn't be forgotten.

Retirees who weren't included in this batch should be patient, the governor said.

His administration is committed to clearing the entire gratuity backlog for both state and local government retirees.

The governor also highlighted his administration's health insurance scheme for senior citizens, which provides free healthcare.

He urged the retirees to spend their gratuities wisely and avoid risky investments.

Officials said they've been making payments to retirees from previous years 2010 through 2015 and that clearing the backlog involved billions of naira and wasn't easy work.

The Head of Service praised the governor for prioritising the welfare of both serving and retired public workers.