Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has presented a cheque of N100 million for the payment of gratuities to 41 retired local government workers and primary school teachers in the state for December.
While making the presentation in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday the governor said that the payment of the gratuities was in fulfilment of his promises to ensure that pensioners enjoyed a worthy life after their meritorious services to the state.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, also restated his commitment to making issues relating to the welfare and well-being of the pensioners a priority.
Fayemi also promised to continue using his position as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in ensuring that issues and policies affecting the pensioners were on the front burner of the government’s agenda.
He said that his administration would continue trying its best in making life comfortable for the retirees, urging the beneficiaries to spend their money on profitable ventures.
“You have laboured for Ekiti, and now you are to collect the fruit of your labour; it speaks to the commitment of the government at ensuring that gratuities and pensions are paid as at when due.
“It saddens my heart that many retirees that served their fatherland had not been paid their entitlements.
READ ALSO: Show Your Achievements, Wike Dares APC Governors
“I can assure you that before this government winds down, there will be more batches of people that would have been paid.
“My advice is that as we collect this money, we should make judicious use of it,” he said.
On the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic across the world, Fayemi cautioned the elderly citizens to avoid large gathering, maintain physical distancing and adhere strictly to other safety protocols.
He urged them to take personal responsibility in observing the measures put in place to curtail the spread of the infection and to preserve their lives.
“I will advise also that as we celebrate Christmas and New Year, we should be guided and be reminded that COVID-19 is back.
“Science tells us that the second wave is deadlier than the first wave; from history, we learnt that the second wave is always more turbulent.
“So, I will advise our people to observe social distancing, to wash their hands and observe other identified COVID-19 protocol.
“If it is not compulsory for us to go any where, as we celebrate Christmas and New Year, let us stay at home,” he stated.
The governor had earlier laid the foundation of the new Secretariat Complex of the union in Ado-Ekiti.
At the ceremony, he assured the retirees of his support toward the timely completion of the project.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Ekiti, Elder Ayo Kumapayi, lauded the governor for his policy on the payment of pensions and gratuities.
He said that the payment had allowed his members to fulfil their financial commitments to the union.
Kumapayi said the union’s new office complex was designed to accommodate an office, ICT section, a health section and a kitchen for the betterment of the union members.
