December 2, (THEWILL) – Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has flagged off the first tranche of payment of death benefits of deceased civil servants and gratuities of pensioners who exited service several years ago.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday said about 6,000 retired and deceased civil servants would benefit from the exercise.
“In fullfilment of one of his campaign promises, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has on Saturday flagged-off the first tranche of settlement of death benefits to deceased civil servants and gratuity of pensioners to about 6,000 beneficiaries who exited the civil service,” Dawakin Tofa said.
He said the settlement of the benefits was for those who retired or died in service between 2016 and 2019, and that a total of N6 billion had been set aside for the payment.
Governor Yusuf while launching the exercise at the Government House,Kano,said the payment was effected despite the meagre resources at hand, “inherited empty treasury and competing development projects.”
He said his administration was highly concerned about the plight of pensioners, especially those of the lower cadre as they were most affected by the economic hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.
He said to ensure the continuation of the settlement of the backlog of the benefits, the sum of N10 billion naira was proposed in the state’s 2024 budget.
The Governor urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the money by investing wisely in lawful businesses so as to generate more incomes to cater for their daily needs.
In his remarks,the state Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, commended the selection of beneficiaries whom were of the lower cadre of both the state and Local Government services.
In his address,the Executive Chairman of Kano State Pension Trustees Fund, Alhaji Habu Muhammad Fagge, said the payment was a clear indication of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s zeal to better the lives of pensioners and provide succour to the families of deceased civil servants.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
