By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About 5000 pensioners have received over N14 billion as gratuities from the Oyo State government, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Wasiu Olatunbosun, has disclosed.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner said the Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has made this possible because of his love for pensioners.
Mr Olatunbosun confirmed this development when he received an award of excellence tagged Defender of Pensioners at a gala night and award-giving ceremony organised by the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), South-West Zone, on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
He revealed that the Oyo State government has placed premium priority on the public service, including pensioners, describing Mr Makinde as the people’s Governor, commending him for the priority given to the welfare of the pensioners in Oyo State.
The awardee further dedicated the award to all the downtrodden pensioners that suffered throughout the eight years of the past administration.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, NUP, Comrade Waheed Oloyede, described the Commissioner as a lover and defender of pensioners, who has supported their course without any bias.
He congratulated the awardee for entering the Union’s Hall of Fame, wishing him more enduring successes in life.
“The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun is a lover and defender of pensioners both inside and outside of the state cabinet, everywhere he finds himself. He is proudly our own,” he said.
“I congratulate him and other awardees, we carefully selected them all over Nigeria based on their various contributions to the growth of Nigeria Union of Pensioners and their love for the society in general.
“In all, the four sets of awardees here today are men of timber and calibre. I congratulate you for entering our Hall of Fame, I can only wish you more enduring successes in life,” Mr Oloyede added.
Adedapo Adesanya