Labour leaders have commended Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for timely release of N3.1 billion for the payment of gratuity to retirees and death benefits to families under the Defined Benefit and Contributory Pension schemes.

In three separate letters, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) praised the governor and the state government for the proactive intervention and release of the funds, especially in the face of current economic realities.

The NLC, Kaduna chapter, in a letter signed by its Chairman, Ayuba Suleiman, said: “We write to appreciate Your Excellency for the approval and release of N3.1 billion for the payment of gratuity for retirees and death benefits to families of deceased retirees. This honourable gesture will serve as an immediate intervention that will alleviate the suffering of both the retirees and the families of our fallen heroes that served our dear state diligently.”

Similarly, NUP and the TUC also lauded Sani for the release of the funds.
“You excelled as a senator by sponsoring bills that touched the lives of many Nigerians, and now you have gone ahead to set aside such a huge amount of money for the payment of gratuity and death benefits. We, the leaders of this great union, appreciate this gesture which will touch the lives of many pensioners,” the letter from NUP stated.

Kaduna government, in October 2023, approved the release of N3.1 billion for the payment of gratuity and death benefits.

According to Kaduna State Pension Bureau, over 1,000 retirees and families of deceased beneficiaries are to benefit from the pension funds released, as the verification exercise for the payment of the gratuity and death benefits has commenced in the three senatorial zones.