As part of measures to improve the welfare of retirees, and those about to retire in the state, as well as place premium on their development, Oyo State ADC governorship candidate, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, has assured them that they’ll receive their gratuities, before, or on the day of their retirement.
Promising prompt payment of pensions to all category of workers irrespective of which government parastatal they retired from, Lanlehin maintained that his desire to run a people centred government, would impress it on him to continually be at the vanguard of people’s welfare.
This was the thrust of discussions at the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners’ interactive session for gubernatorial candidates, on Friday, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Lanlehin, who was the first of such to appear on the programme, berated the Oyo State government for failing to attend to the welfare of retirees, noting that since retirement isn’t a sudden event, but one that’s already known years ahead, government had no reason to be indebted to pensioners, some to the tune of 25months, in the case of retired primary school teachers, and local government retirees.
“Not paying gratuities since 2011 is inhuman, and I cannot understand why any government will be happy continuing such inept legacy,” Lanlehin said.
The session, moderated by ace journalist, Edmund Obilo, had in attendance the leadership and membership of the union, journalists and members of the civil society.
Lanlehin, who promised retirees that their pensions and gratuities would be first line charge items in the state’s recurrent expenditure, avowed that his government will establish a pensions board to cater for the specific needs of primary school retired teachers, just like the local government pensions board.
On politics, Lanlehin explained that with the political strength of the ADC, hitherto comprising five tendencies, now fused into one formidable entity, and its wisdom in solving its initial teething problems, the party was poised to win the coming elections in the state.
“Today, I can assure you that the ADC is the single largest party in Oyo State, and we’re poised to win this coming election, with the help of our people, so our people centred programmes can commence forthwith,” Lanlehin added.
Lanlehin, who promised to introduce free and qualitative education at both primary and secondary schools, as well as massive investment in tertiary education, establishment of primary healthcare centres, with pensioners benefiting from a 50% reduction in drug prices, as well as the reintroduction of functional, well equipped farm settlements to drive his agricultural revolution agenda.
Other priority areas include women and youth empowerment, establishment of cottage industries to service the reintroduced farm settlements, and yet many more people oriented programmes.
