The Oyo State government has assured retirees that it will continue to focus on their welfare.

The Head of Service, Oyo State Civil Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, stated this on Monday at the opening ceremony of a two-day training and sensitization of prospective retirees of public primary schools and local government service, which was held at the Parliament building, Secretariat, Ibadan.

She described the initiative of the Local Government Staff Pension Board as commendable, saying it will go a long way towards equipping participants for a fulfilling life after retirement.

She encouraged the participants to use the information shared, adding that it would open their horizons in life after retirement.

Oni said the essence of the training is encapsulated in its theme, “Towards Achieving Itch-Free Processing of Retirement Benefits.”

She believes the programme will equip the participants with the skills and knowledge to navigate the retirement process seamlessly without being defrauded, as well as have a fulfilling life after retirement.

“This is a testament that the present administration in Oyo State has your best interests at heart.

“You will recall that recently, Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, in his effort to leave a lasting legacy of ensuring that Oyo State retirees’ welfare is taken care of, called a meeting where far-reaching decisions were taken, which included an increase in funds that will be released for gratuity at the state and local government levels on a monthly basis.

“In realising this lofty objective, Governor Makinde demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of the state pensioners by increasing the funds for the payment of gratuities to retirees from all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, including TESCOM, tertiary institutions, and parastatals, on a monthly basis, to a sum of N500 million from the N250 million hitherto released.

“The same applies to the Local Government Staff Pensions Board, wherein the fund release for its gratuity was also increased to N500 million.

“I equally wish to place it on record that the Local Government Staff Pension Board has demonstrated exemplary leadership with innovative and ingenious ideas based on persistence, consistency, and dedication in driving government policies on pension matters, which deserves commendation.”

In his address, Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Mr Ademola Ige, said the programme was aimed at making the processing of their files seamless without unnecessary stress or any difficulty, and other tips that will make retirement enjoyable.

According to him, “Oyo State Local Government Staff Pensions Board, as part of our statutory functions, ensures that prospective retirees are sensitised and enlightened on the procedural approach to processing of retirement benefits.”

He commended Governor Makinde for consistently implementing various pensioner welfare policies since his assumption of office in May 2019 to date.

In his remarks, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Council, Chief Isiaka Abolade, lauded Makinde for his kind gesture in ensuring that pensioners’ dues for retirement are paid their entitlements once they complete their retirement processing papers.

He said the sensitization will also provide an avenue for the participants, i.e., would-be pensioners, to interact and ask questions that may hinder the smooth processing of the retirement benefits.