September 25, (THEWILL) — The Kano State government has so far paid N27 billion as gratuity and death benefits to retirees who worked in the state civil service.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf disclosed this on Wednesday while flagging off the payment of the fifth tranche of gratuities and death benefits to retirees at the Government House, Kano.
Yusuf said the amount disbursed was out of the total sum of N48 billion owed to retired civil servants for several years.
He pledged to pay the remaining amount before the end of his first term in 2027, adding that the 6th and 7th tranches of the arrears would be paid soon.
He said the payment aims to alleviate the hardships faced by retirees and their families due to the non-payment of their entitlements by the previous administration.
The Governor, who launched the 5th tranche of N5 billion at the occasion, said a total of 1,026 retirees would be covered by the amount, and urged the beneficiaries to use the money to cater for their respective families.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Kano State Pension Fund Trustees, Alhaji Habu Muhammad Fagge, praised the Governor for his sustained efforts to ensure the settlement of the retirees’ entitlements.
According to Fagge, the gesture had restored confidence and dignity for the retirees.
In his goodwill message, the President of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Godwin Abimisi, commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to clearing the backlog of gratuity and death benefits owed to the retirees.
Hundreds of the retirees received their payment alerts instantly on the occasion, which was held at the Coronation Hall of the Kano Government House.
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
