By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About N206 million has been distributed to 92 pensioners as gratuities from the Oyo State government in fulfilment of the promise to the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Chapter, by Governor Seyi Makinde.
At an interactive session with the pensioners’ group on Monday in Ibadan, the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr Adeniyi Adebisi, said the beneficiaries comprised state, local government and primary school retirees.
The Commissioner explained that there is need for synergy and cooperation between the NUP and the ministry to make life better for pensioners, as efforts are being made to review pensions as directed by Mr Makinde.
He stated further that, the Oyo State Government believes in dialogue as against industrial action to avoid sending bad signals to the general public, noting that, “Dialogue can resolve more than 50 per cent of any problem no matter how big.”
Earlier, in his remarks, the scribe of the association, Mr Olusegun Abatan, thanked the government for the gesture, expressing his delight that the Governor fulfilled his promise.
Some of the beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to the state government for paying their gratuities at this time of economic hardship and recession.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Adedapo Adesanya