Leaders of the Labour, Trade Unions, and Pensioners Union have commended the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for the timely release of N3.1 billion as payment for the gratuity of retirees and death benefits to families of deceased beneficiaries under the Defined Benefit Scheme and the Contributory Pension Schemes.
In three separate letters from the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, the unions showered encomiums on the Governor and the Kaduna State Government for the proactive release of the funds, especially in the face of current economic realities.
“We write to appreciate Your Excellency for the approval and release of N3.1 billion for the payment of gratuity for retirees and death benefits for the families of the deceased retirees.
“This honourable gesture will serve as an immediate intervention that will alleviate the suffering of both the retirees and the families of our fallen heroes who served our dear state diligently,” NLC stated in a letter signed by its Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Suleiman.
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Trade Union Congress also lauded Governor Sani for the release of the pension funds.
“You excelled as a senator by sponsoring bills that touched the lives of many Nigerians, and now you have gone ahead to set aside such a huge amount of money for the payment of gratuity and death benefits.
We, the leaders of this great union, appreciate this gesture, which will touch the lives of many pensioners,” the letter from the pensioners union stated.
Additionally, the groups, in their commendation letters, while pledging their unflinching support to the Governor Uba Sani-led administration, advocated for the constitution of the Board of the Kaduna State Pension Bureau to ensure total transparency.
“For inclusiveness and to strengthen the judicial utilisation of these funds even in the future, we are advocating for the constitution of the Board of the Bureau in accordance with Section 20 of the Kaduna State Pension Reform (Amended) Law, 2020.”
In October 2023, the Kaduna State Government approved the release of N3.1 billion for the payment of gratuity to retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased under the Defined Benefit Scheme and the Contributory Pension Schemes.
According to the Kaduna State Pension Bureau, over 1,000 retirees and families of deceased beneficiaries are to benefit from the pension funds released as the verification exercise for the payment of the gratuity and death benefits has commenced in the 3 senatorial zones of Kaduna State.
