The Truth about Osun Pensions and Pensioners – By Ismail Omipidan

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has never defaulted in the remittance of Contributory Pensions since November 2018 to date.

The ICPC has investigated him on the same matter following a petition written against him by some pensioners and given him a clean bill of health.

Oyetola inherited backlog of pension arrears from the previous administration. These arrears did not accumulate in a day, therefore, it cannot be offset at a go. Moreover, Osun does not have the wherewithal to clear the arrears at once particularly in the face of other numerous competing obligations. This is a fact that is well known to all.

But as a government that is passionate about the welfare of its people and to demonstrate commitment, the Oyetola-led administration has so far spent over N40billion on pensions and gratuities in the last three years.

On Friday, November 12, the Government released Eight Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand Naira (N 867,836,000) for the settlement of bonds for retirees.

The retirees at Local Government level got Two Hundred and Sixty-Three Million Naira (N 263,000,000).

The retirees who are Primary School Teachers got Six Hundred and Four Million Naira (N 604,000,000).

Barely ten days after, November 22, to be precise, another sum of Seven Hundred and Eight Million Naira (N 708,000,000) was released by the governor, to offset pension and gratuity arrears.

An administration that is this committed to the welfare and needs of its senior citizens does not deserve any form of distraction in the name of protest.

Protest won’t yield any positive development. It is capable of being hijacked by criminals and hoodlums.

Let’s support the Oyetola administration. Let’s say no to any protest by a section of the pensioners.