Aiyedatiwa Launches N3.9bn Gratuity Payment for Retirees

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has commenced the payment of N3.897 billion in gratuities to 1,038 local government workers and primary school teachers who retired in 2016. The payment was launched on Thursday at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure.

Aiyedatiwa emphasized that this payment is an obligation to the retirees, not a political gesture, and will be directly deposited into their bank accounts. He expressed the intention to bring joy to senior citizens who dedicated their lives to the development of Ondo State, acknowledging that some retirees faced financial hardships.

The governor assured that his administration is committed to clearing the backlog of gratuities for both state and local government retirees. He also mentioned the Ondo State Residents Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS), which provides free healthcare for senior citizens.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, noted the challenges in clearing the gratuity backlog, which spans several years.