News
Makinde pays N250m gratuities to over 100 Oyo retirees
The Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State government says it has disbursed about N250m gratuities to over 100 retirees to clear outstanding gratuity owed them by the previous administrations in the state.
The Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Alhaji Siju Lawal, who presented symbolic cheques to some of the retirees in the Ministry’s Board Room, on Monday explained that the beneficiaries were drawn from December 2013 to January 2014.
Lawal added that the current administration, under the able leadership of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, would continue in same pattern till the outstanding gratuities were offset.
Alhaji Siju Lawal also noted that the Seyi Makinde led administration met a huge debt of about N55.9b, and has remained responsive to clearing the backlog, which has resulted in over 15 billion naira been cleared.
“This government inherited N55.9b and I know there is no government that will hear of this and would not be scared. But when governor Makinde came in, He was not bothered. This is to tell you that he loves workers and pensioners and cannot joke with them. So far, He has paid more than N15.1b.
“If you look critically, you will know that one good turn deserves another. To appreciate His efforts, we are not supposed to be told what we to do. All that is required of us is to continue to support him with all we have. Another surprising thing about this is, he has continued to increase it regularly,” He stated.
The Commissioner, however, called on the over 100 retirees who were beneficiaries of the disbursed gratuity to always support the government’s policies, urging them to use their gratuity judiciously.
He said: “Please, I want to urge you to utilise this money effectively. You have laboured so much and should not be seen spending such money anyhow. Use it for investment or anything that can give you a good return. Avoid investment in Ponzi or any other dubious investment schemes.”
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Segun Abatan, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his commitment to pensioners’ welfare as well as laudable style of governance.
According to Him, there are plans by the union to organize a ‘Thank You Rally’ in appreciation of the Governor kind gestures.
“A lot of pensioners have died in the past but this is not happening again in this state. Since 2003, we have been asking Governors of the past administrations to increase the gratuity but they did not. And what surprised us the most was the fact that we did not write Governor Makinde before he increased the money to N250m, though gradually. So, I can tell you authoritatively that you don’t need to look elsewhere for an Omoluabi.
“As a matter of fact, we will continue to appreciate him and follow Him to wherever he goes. Wherever we also tell our wards to go is where they will. The Governor will always have our support.
“We will organize nothing less than 10,000 pensioners to engage in ‘Thank You Rally’ to appreciate what Governor Makinde has been doing for us. This will just be a representative one because we are more than 50,000 in Oyo State,” Abatan noted.
Some of the retirees in their various remarks, also recounted their various plight before the intervention of the current administration and showered encomium on Governor Seyi Makinde for his goodwill and modesty to them.
“I want to appreciate Governor Makinde for this gesture. Today, we have heard that the money has been increased to N250m, a development which has never happened in this state before. We once had a governor in this state who said it is only who are still agile and alive that is entitled to pension,” One of them said.
Member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has donated ₦5 million to the Anfaani Muslim Community Central Mosque in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area for its solar power project.
Oseni, who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, (FERMA), made the donation on Friday, according to a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele.
The lawmaker, who is the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, described the gesture as a reflection of his commitment to service, faith, and community development.
He said supporting faith-based institutions remained a privilege that should be embraced with humility.
“I had the honour and privilege of supporting the Anfani Muslim Community Central Mosque with the sum of ₦5 million towards the execution of its solar power project,” Oseni said in the statement.
The APC senatorial candidate for Oyo South stressed that service to humanity and support for religious institutions were responsibilities that come with divine trust.
He added that every opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society should be valued.
“It is always a blessing and a profound responsibility to contribute to the work of God and support initiatives that strengthen our faith communities,” he said.
“Whenever we are presented with the opportunity to uplift institutions devoted to worship and communal development, we must embrace it with sincerity and gratitude”, the statement added.
Oseni noted that acts of service should not be neglected, adding that God could raise others to fulfil His purpose if one failed to act.
He prayed for continued peace, progress, and prosperity across communities, expressing optimism that religious institutions would remain pillars of moral and social development.
“May Almighty God continue to strengthen His church and mosque, bless our communities with peace, and prosper every effort geared towards the advancement of faith and humanity,” he prayed.
Speaking during the visit, the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Alhaji Saheed Gbadamosi, appreciated the lawmaker for the support and for personally visiting the mosque, describing the gesture as a mark of respect for the Muslim community.
He offered prayers for the lawmaker, seeking divine guidance, protection and greater accomplishments in his public service.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Johnson Elleh, for allegedly producing and circulating a viral video falsely claiming the presence of kidnapping and banditry activities along the Owode-Idiroko axis of the state.
The command said preliminary findings showed that the suspect deliberately fabricated and shared the misleading content to attract public attention and generate online engagement.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Abeokuta.
According to Babaseyi, the command immediately launched an investigation after the video surfaced online, subjecting its contents to scrutiny to verify the claims.
He said the findings revealed that the video was false, misleading, and intentionally crafted to trigger fear, panic, and anxiety among residents.
“Findings revealed that the video was false, misleading, and deliberately designed to create fear, panic, and anxiety among members of the public,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson stated that extensive verification further confirmed that no incident of kidnapping or banditry occurred in the Owode-Idiroko corridor or surrounding communities as portrayed in the viral clip.
He added that detectives later identified the suspect after discovering that he featured in the video, leading to his arrest.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspect was featured in the video and was subsequently identified by detectives, leading to his arrest,” Babaseyi stated.
He explained that the suspect’s action was capable of causing unnecessary public tension, disrupting social order, and eroding confidence in the state’s security system.
“During the course of the investigation, the suspect reportedly confessed to intentionally creating and disseminating the misleading content to generate online engagement and public reaction,” he added.
While noting that investigation into the matter was ongoing, the command said Elleh would be charged to court at the conclusion of the probe.
The police command strongly condemned the spread of fake news, false security alerts, and other forms of misinformation capable of creating fear and confusion among law-abiding citizens.
It warned individuals and groups against publishing, recirculating, or disseminating unverified security-related information, stressing that such acts threaten public peace and would attract legal consequences.
“The Command will continue to identify, arrest, investigate, and prosecute all persons found culpable, irrespective of status or motive,” the statement added.
The police, however, reassured residents that Ogun remained safe, peaceful, and secure, urging them to remain calm and rely only on verified information released through official channels.
“The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining public order across the state,” Babaseyi concluded.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has mourned the death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo, popularly known as Able, describing his demise as a painful loss to the progressive family.
Oladipupo, who represented Ibadan North-West Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, was widely regarded as a grassroots politician and committed party loyalist until his passing.
Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, said the late politician’s death had created a vacuum within the party and among those who benefitted from his unwavering commitment to public service.
In a condolence statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the federal lawmaker described the late Oladipupo as a dependable progressive, humble political actor and loyal party stalwart whose impact would remain indelible.
He said the deceased dedicated his life to serving humanity, strengthening the progressive movement and supporting the aspirations of many at the grassroots.
Oseni said, “The death of Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo (Able) came to me as a rude shock. Oyo State and the progressive family have indeed lost a committed, loyal and selfless leader whose passion for service, humility and dedication to the people stood him out.
“He was not just a politician but a bridge-builder, a dependable ally and a grassroots mobiliser who believed strongly in the ideals of our great party. His contributions to the growth of the APC in Oyo State and his service to humanity will remain unforgettable.”
The APC senatorial candidate noted that the late former lawmaker remained steadfast in promoting peace, unity and political development, adding that his simplicity and accessibility endeared him to many across political divides.
According to Oseni, the late politician’s legacy of service and sacrifice would continue to inspire younger politicians and party faithful.
He, however, urged members of the APC, associates and family members of the deceased to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and the positive impact he made during his lifetime.
Oseni also prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
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