GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke of Osun says he has approved N4 billion bond for the payment of retirees under the contributory pension scheme in the state.
Adeleke made this known in his speech at the Workers Day celebration at Fakunle High School, Osogbo, on Thursday.
He explained that bond was for retirees in the state and local governments.
“I have just approved, through the Office of the Head of Service, the payment of bond for retirees under the contributory pension scheme worth over N4 billion.
“Civil service parastatal, secondary schools, tertiary institutions, Uniosun Teaching Hospital retirees will get N2, 175, 280, 322.54 while N2, 098, 466, 528.87 will be given to local governments and primary schools retirees,” he said.
Adeleke said he was in tune with the high cost of living in the country, adding that he was aware of the economic situation.
The governor expressed commitment to the welfare of workers and residents of the state.
“As a sub national government, we have been collaborating with the Federal Government to ease the burden of economic hardship.
“As a matter of policy, we have gone out of our ways to ensure the success of federal government’s efforts.
“We back the centre to reform the national economy and ease the burden on our people.
“At the state level, our government is repositioning the state economy to service the people. We are managing state resources in various ways that no sector is left behind.
“While we are not borrowing to fund governance, we have reduced the inherited state debt by over 40 percent. The Debt Management Office confirmed this much in its recent reports,” he said.
Adeleke said that his administration was rebuilding the state economy to benefit the people, adding that “through the government’s local content policies, our professionals, suppliers and artisans are fully engaged, Osun money is servicing Osun people.”
Mr Christopher Arapasopo, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun Chapter, appreciated the governor for his rancour-free and workers friendly administration.
He commended the governor for paying salary arrears owed by past administration, approving and paying promotion areas of workers, paying N75,000 as new minimum wage, among others.
Arapasopo appealed for the provision of housing and vehicle refurbishing loan to workers, training and retraining of workers, and recruitment of more people into the civil service.
He said the 2025 Workers Day theme “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship” was chosen as both a call to action and a rallying point for advocacy and change.
“This theme encapsulates the urgent need for workers to reclaim their rights, voices, and civic engagement in times of adversity,” he noted. (NAN)
