Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has approved N4 billion to pay retirees their pension across the state and Local Governments.

During the Workers’ day celebration in Osogbo, the capital of the state, on Thursday — the Governor approved the huge sum retirement benefit for those under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

While at it, some Labour leaders also tabled their requests to the Governor for Housing and car loans.

Adeleke also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing workers’ welfare in the state as well as other parts of his five-point agenda.

He also announced his approval for the commencement of the promotion exercises for Year 2025 for eligible officers and staff across the entire public service —  including the Local Governments — through the Office of the Head of Service.

The Governor further mentioned that all workers in the state have received their salaries for April.

“In all we do, we care for workers and pensioners. I have just approved, through the Office of the Head of Service, the payment of bonds for retirees under the contributory pension scheme worth over N4b. This is across the State and Local Governments.

“I have equally approved, through the Office of the Head of Service, the commencement of the promotion exercises for Year 2025 for eligible officers and staff across the entire public service, including the Local Governments.

“As I speak, the April 2025 salaries and allowances have been paid to all categories of workers across the State. We have continued unabated, the payment of a 30-month backlog of half salaries. As a matter of fact, we have almost completed payment of the 30 months’ half salaries in respect of contributory pensioners,” he said.

In his remark, the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Christopher Arapasopo, lauded Adeleke for his continuous effort and commitment to workers’ welfare.

Along with his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Abimbola Fasasi —Arapasopo declared that all workers in the state shall support Adeleke in the next election.

“We, the leadership of the labour movement in Osun State, with the overwhelming mandate of our people do hereby say today 1st of May, 2025 that come 2026 as far as the occupancy of the Bola Ige house is concerned, ‘There is no vacancy and on your mandate we shall stand,” Fasasi declared

While the chairman praised Adeleke for how greatly he has worked for the past three years, he requested the Governor to appoint permanent secretaries, fill civil service vacancies, and provide more training for workers as well as official vehicles for labour leaders to help them do their work properly.

“Housing and Motor Vehicle Refurbishing Loan — We immensely appreciate you sir, for setting up a committee on the above subject matter based on our last request. We, therefore, humbly remind Your Excellency of the further commitments that will ensure that Osun State workers benefit from these loan schemes,” Fasasi added.

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