IBADAN – Oyo state government on Thursday began the payment of gratuities to 201 retirees with the presentation of cheques worth over N200 million.
The State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs Olawumi Ogunesan, made this known while presenting cheques to beneficiaries, at the Old Ministry of Establishment and Training, Secretariat, Ibadan.
She disclosed that the payment was for civil servants who retired on grade 01 and 07 in 2011 and 2012.
Ogunesan, who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Office of the HOS, Mrs Adejoke Eyitayo, said the payment was without prejudice but on merit.
The HOS appealed to those yet to collect their cheque to exercise patience, saying that the government was committed and had resolved to clear the arrears of gratuity owed retirees.
Ogunesan disclosed that the state government had earlier disbursed N1.3billion as gratuities to retirees in 2017.
She cautioned them to be wary of fraudsters, who might want to swindle them of their life savings, urging them to be prudent with their entitlements.
Mr Odebisi Adediran and Mr Rasheed Akanbi, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the state government for paying their gratuities.
The duo, who said most of them had lost hope of being paid, applauded the procedure followed in paying the money which they described as transparent and purely on merit.
