Senior citizens urge govt on prompt payment of gratuity law, sanctions 

The Osogbo Grammar School Alumni Association (OGSAA) has called on the government to enact legislation that would mandate the prompt payment of gratuities to retirees across the country. 
  

The association advocated that gratuities be paid within two months of disengagement from service, with monthly pensions commencing immediately.

According to him, senior citizens who have served the nation deserve timely and respectful treatment, noting that legislation should be put in place to ensure their gratuities are paid promptly. 
Winjobi further criticised the arduous verification processes that retired civil servants often undergo to receive their pensions. 

He argued that instead of requiring elderly citizens to visit government secretariats for verification, pension officers should be dispatched to their homes to carry out these procedures.

  Winjobi emphasised the need for comprehensive healthcare policies for senior citizens.

  Winjobi advocated for free healthcare services for individuals over 65 years of age, criticising the current practice of offering free consultations without fully covering the costs of drugs and surgeries.

   He said healthcare services for the aged should be all-encompassing, covering everything from medication to surgery without any barriers.

 He said any failure to meet this obligation should attract stringent legal sanctions.
Winjobi called for the establishment of senior citizen homes in every local government ward across Nigeria. 

These homes, he suggested, should be equipped with recreational facilities and games tailored to the needs of older citizens, providing them with a space to socialise and remain active.

Winjobi also addressed the importance of family involvement in the lives of the elderly, urging children to spend quality time with their aging parents and support them emotionally and physically.