Aiyedatiwa Vows to Eradicate Gratuity Backlog as Ondo Disburses ₦3.89bn to 2016 Retirees

​AKURE — Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance for inherited pension arrears, vowing not to leave office until all outstanding entitlements owed to retired workers are fully cleared.

​Governor Aiyedatiwa made this declaration on Thursday during the official flag-off for the payment of ₦3,897,315,605.75 in bulk gratuities to 1,038 verified local government service retirees, primary school teachers, and non-teaching staff who exited the service in 2016. The ceremony, which marks the fifth batch of bulk payments to grassroots government personnel, took place at the Cocoa Conference Centre in the Governor’s Office, Akure.

​Stressing the core philosophy of his administration, the governor emphasized that settling the entitlements was neither a political favor nor a charitable gift, but a mandatory moral and constitutional obligation owed to citizens who dedicated their most productive years to building the state.

​“We stand by our unwavering commitment to ensuring that ‘gratuity backlog’ becomes a thing of the past. We are determined like never before to fulfil this promise to all our retirees both in the State and Local Government,” Aiyedatiwa stated. He noted with empathy that many senior citizens had historically retired into penury, with some sadly passing away before enjoying the fruits of their labor—a cycle his administration is actively working to break.

​To eliminate administrative bottlenecks, bureaucratic red tape, and potential extortion, the governor announced that the funds would be credited directly into the personal bank accounts of verified beneficiaries. He further revealed that the Local Government Pension Transitional Department has deployed a newly established online capturing portal. This innovation allows pensioners globally to process their retirement documentation seamlessly without physically visiting government offices.

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​Addressing the health and well-being of the senior citizens, Aiyedatiwa highlighted the ORANGHIS Scheme, a specialized program crafted to deliver free medical care to retirees. He cautioned beneficiaries against high-risk investments and financial fraudsters, advising them to prioritize their peace of mind and household comfort.

​In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, lauded the governor for balancing heavy infrastructure expansion with direct human capital development, noting that building physical structures loses meaning if the citizenry suffers. Takuro pointed out that previous disbursements under the scheme systematically cleared backlogs from 2010 through 2015, culminating in the current 2016 batch. He also hinted that the governor has already directed preparations for another wave of payments before the year runs out.

​Echoing similar sentiments, the Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, commended the administration’s adherence to fair labor practices, stating that his primary capital project as head of the bureaucracy remains the welfare of active and retired public servants.

​State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, praised the governor’s compassion, contrasting Ondo’s prompt interventions with the plight of retirees in other parts of the country. He assured the state government of the continued solidarity and prayers of the pension community.