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The Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN) have described the constant disregard and dishonor by Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun of retirees in the state as sickening and a crime against humanity.
LOGPAN made this known yesterday at a press conference in Abeokuta, said even the Holy Book mentioned that whoever dishonor the aged should not expect Divine favour.
The chairman of LOGPAN, Chief Sikiru Ayilara JP said the association wrote to the governor fourteen times with no response, which was a sign of disrespect and dishonor for the status of senior citizens by a sitting governor.
He explained that,” Facing the reality at eleventh hour of our lives, that Gov Dapo Abiodun in whom we nurtured brighter hope of receiving the fruitage of our hard labour, has resolved to treat us as ‘used and dumped’ is nothing but a distressing reality.
How on earth will a Governor – a mortal – chooses to ignore fourteen letters from the Senior Citizens (the aged) who as a result of the neglect die as chickens after 35 years of patriotic service to the State. What a disrespectful Governor to humanity, most especially, the aged!
It appears we will have no other options than to persuade our children to work against his re-election in 2023.”
LOGPAN said Governor Zulum of Borno State, in spite of the incessant insurgencies in the state, was able to source for sufficient fund to pay ₦12bn outstanding Gratuity in a day.
In addition, Governor Seyi Makinde was reported to have received an Award recently through his Commissioner of Information being a friend of Pensioners for his sincerity of purpose towards payment of gratuity. According to the report,Governor Makinde paid ₦8bn outstanding Gratuity in a day, a State with low IGR compared to Ogun State of Prince Dapọ Abiodun.
The Osun state governor, Gboyega Oyetola has paid over ₦40bn within the last three years, in addition to the latest ₦708m to 300 retirees.
Similarly, Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who had assured that Pensioners get deserved priority and has paid ₦32.8bn Gratuity for 8,170 retirees in two years.
We can recalled that former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel paid all outstanding gratuity in a single day.
The LOGPAN demands are ,
“1. We are not only asking for the implementation of 33.4% increase in Pensions which could only peg the monthly minimum Pensions at N7,000. We want immediate harmonization of monthly pension from ₦5,000 to start from at least ₦30,000 or how would Mr Governor expects Pensioners who have worked for between ten and thirty-five years to continue receiving ₦5,000 as monthly pension in a State that pays ₦30,500 as minimum wage!
2. We don’t want the payment of ₦1.5bn arrears of the quarterly ₦500m as requested by the NUP, all that we are asking for is the re-scheduling of outstanding Gratuity payment from ₦500m every three months to at least ₦2bn monthly, so that we can receive our Gratuity while alive.
Lastly, Gov Abiodun should restore the principal responsibility of Bureau of Local Govt Pension by directing the Ministry of Finance to handoff from doing the payment of Gratuity.”
Chief Ayilara emphasized that,”Gov Abiodun’s non-clearing of our Gratuities is even a dishonour to all fathers and mothers, particularly his own father who appealed to him at the point of death to cater for the aged. “