...Hails Gov. Yusuf over payment of N6bn gratuity, death benefits

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), has condemned in totality, the deduction of 5.4 billion naira from pensioners payments by Ganduje's administration between 2015 and 2023 that created untold hardship to thousands of pensioners in the local and state governments categories.

The leadership also hailed and commended Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf for his compassion in payment of Pensioners gratuity and death benefits tuning to wholesome amount of N6 billion naira.

The National President of NUP, Comrade Godwin Abumisi who joined thousands of the pensioners at the official flag-off ceremony held at the Coronation Hall, Kano State Government House on Saturday made the commendation amidst sheer elation.

Represented by the National Trustee, Comrade Abdullahi Tsoho Garba, said, "The settlement of unpaid gratuities and death benefits, at a time when other Governors are grappling with take-up issues, speak volumes of his excellency's capacity to like never before, provide dividends of democracy to the people of Kano State. This gesture is a clear manifestation of the Governor's workers and pensioner-friendly posture."

According to Comrade Godwin,: "Your Excellency, inspite of the fact that the payment of the pensions, gratuities, and death benefits are guaranteed, retired workers all over the country continue to suffer as a result of non-payment of their rights."

Meanwhile, the President made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government for more intervention to Kano State as records shown that the state is among others battling with high accumulation of unpaid benefits.

He said, "By our records, Kano State is among states with high accumulation of unpaid retirement benefits to the tune of forty three billion Naira from 2016 to date.

However, with the earmarking of six billion naira just for a start, it is a clear indication that in no distant future, Kano, under Abba Gida Gida will soon join the league of states with little or no gratuity liability like Kaduna, Jigawa, Ondo and others.". Explained Comrade Godwin.

He used the occasion to remind both federal and state governments of the pains, frustrations and hardship Nigerians, including pensioners are currently facing as a result of subsidy removal. In the light of this, he, passionately appeal to both governments to do something very fast to assuage the pains of NUP members and other vulnerable Nigerians.

The union leadership called on the federal government to honor its pledge of including pensioners in the N25,000 cash award as a result of subsidy removal. The leadership of the union has met with the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Eddu and hope that the list of members submitted will be treated with the needed zeal.

While acknowledging with deep appreciation, the president saluted Governor Yusuf's administrations payment of monthly pension as at when due, and above all, the stoppage of the illegal deduction from the pensions of both state and local government pensioners started by the administration of Governor Ganduje that illegally deducted 5.4 billion naira without justification and landed many pensioners in financial trouble.

He therefore highlighted that, "As a government, associated with the leader of the Kwankwasiyya political movement, Dr. Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, there is very high expectation from you by the people. We therefore urge you to maintain the tempo in order to meet these expectations. We assure you of the mutual cooperation and support of our union when and where ever necessary."

While congratulating the beneficiaries of this first batch of gratuity payment, urged those pending to continue to keep hope and pray for the success of the administration of his Excellency Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The sum of six billion naira was paid to about six thousand pensioners in Kano over the weekend as the first tranche for settling the unpaid backlog of gratuity and death benefits of retirees in Kano.

It could be recalled that Governor Yusuf during his electioneering campaigns in Kano promised to settle the pending payments of gratuity, timely payments of monthly pension allowance and stop the rampage deduction from the allowance of pensioners by the immediate past administration.

In his address, the Governor said he is fulfilled today for achieve the dream of making pensioners happy and meeting all the three promises within the first months of his administration.