Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has given his approval for the release of one billion naira as gratuity payment to retired public servants in the state.
Yinka Oyebode, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, explained that the approval is a deliberate effort to reduce the accumulation of unpaid gratuities.
Oyebode in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Friday, “The payment is in fulfillment of the governor’s promise to prioritise welfare and wellbeing of workers and pensioners in the statAe, as well as his pledge to put in place an arrangement to offset backlog of gratuities owed by previous administrations”.
The Governor has appealed to retirees to remain calm and hopeful, promising that their welfare is a priority, in recognition of their contributions to the state’s progress during their productive years.
At a stakeholders’ event in Lagos last month, Governor Oyebanji revealed that his administration had paid out “over N14 billion in pension” benefits.