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By correspondent in Minna
.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has officially initiated the full payment of gratuities for the first batch of 335 retirees from the state and local government services.
Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, Governor Bago presented the cheques during a ceremony at the State Pensions Board in Minna.
According to a statement by Aisha Wakaso, Special Adviser to the Governor on Print Media, the cheque presentation marks a symbolic step in the administration’s commitment to addressing the hardships faced by pensioners who served at the state and local levels.
The significant sum released to clear the backlog of gratuities demonstrates the administration’s dedication to prioritizing the welfare of retired civil servants.
The payment addresses issues that had been unresolved for over 13 years due to changes in pension scheme laws, which had resulted in a substantial financial burden for the state government.
Previous administrations had struggled to resolve these issues until the Bago administration stepped in to ensure timely payments and prevent future backlogs.
Governor Bago issued a stern warning against tampering with beneficiaries’ files and serial numbers, stating that anyone caught sabotaging these efforts would face legal consequences.
The payments will continue in batches, with retirees from the 25 Local Government Areas expected to receive their cheques starting from July 26th.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
