The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State Branch, has commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for rescuing its members from the percentage payment system and ensuring regular and timely pension payments.
While disclosing that the governor has also implemented a 30 per cent pension harmonisation in the state and the consequential adjustment arising from the 2018 salary increase, the union stated that this development signposts Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to improving the welfare of retirees in the state.
According to the NUP Chairman in the state, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, who stated this during the 2025 Pensioners’ Day celebration in Akure, the governor has been exceptional in their welfare.
Osunyemi announced the honouring of Aiyedatiwa with the Grand Patron award by NUP for putting smiles on the faces of retirees in the state.
He said, “He lifted pensioners up from the quagmire of ridiculous monthly pensions of N1,500 per month to a minimum of N30,000 across the board. The implication of this is that as of today, no pensioner earns below N35,000 monthly in Ondo State.”
The NUP chairman also lauded the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo Local Government Pension Transitional Department, Dr Mercy Olayinka Femi-Idris, for her efforts in prioritising and improving the welfare of retirees.
Osunyemi noted that Femi-Idris introduced weekly medical examinations and treatment for pensioners on Wednesdays, which has greatly improved their lives.
The union, therefore, conferred an award of Outstanding Administrative Excellence on Femi-Idris, noting that the recognition of Idris’s dedication and service was a testament to her positive impact on pensioners in the state.
NUP also honoured the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, with ‘the Most Distinguished Humanitarian Patron Award’ for his humanitarian services and consistent advocacy and generosity for the welfare of pensioners in the state.
He pleaded with the state government to yield to the union’s long-standing demand for an official vehicle, as well as the government’s intervention in the rehabilitation of the less than one and a half kilometre road leading to its secretariat from Oda Road.
On his part, Aiyedatiwa emphasised his administration’s commitment to the welfare of retirees, noting that they deserve peace of mind and regular income after years of selfless service to the state and nation.
The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, declared that the state has made prompt payment of pensions a permanent culture, stating that their sacrifices laid the foundation for the state’s current development.
“From day one, we took a solemn stand to bring humanity into governance. Every pensioner deserves peace of mind and a regular income after years of selfless service. That is why we’ve made prompt payment of pensions a permanent culture,” he said.
The governor disclosed that his administration had released N2.396 billion for the payment of gratuities to verified retirees of 2016 and 2017, in addition to the N2.2 billion paid in 2024 to cover retirees of 2015. He added that over N2 billion was recently released to clear outstanding arrears owed to local government pensioners across the state.
