From Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Governor Dapo Abiodun has signed N500m cheques to offset backlog of gratuity and pensions of retirees in the state and local government services.
The symbolic presentation of cheques to some of the beneficiary - retirees took place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Wednesday.
Abiodun said the event was a demonstration of his administration's commitment to fulfil its promises to all the workers of the state, particularly the elder statesmen and women.
The governor explained that the distribution of N500 million to pensioners in the state signalled the commencement of a payment process for all the pensioners.
He said that apart from the payment of monetary entitlements, his government was committed to providing other opportunities for the retirees under the state's social welfare scheme.
“I am assuring you that the process for all our pensioners. Though these payments are inherited liabilities from past Government but I am assuring you that the process of paying these gratuities have started and will definitely continue on a quarterly basis.
"I enjoin our dear elders to take advantage of our administration's various social intervention programmes. For those of you who are into micro and small businesses, you can key into Oko-Owo Dapo, a micro credit scheme that provides a window for women to access financial resources. It empowers our people to expand their micro and small businesses.
"In the same vein, in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), we have inaugurated the Anchor Borrowers Scheme on Agriculture. Under this scheme, our people, including our pensioners, could turn to agric entrepreneurship as a way of life and living.
"Under the scheme, participants will be provided with land, which will be cleared for them, improved seedling and other extension services. In addition, off takers, that is, the Anchors, will be sourced for their produce at agreed prices that are known to all at the time of planting, thereby guaranteeing price stability and adequate reward for effort. In fact, CBN will pay stipends to the farmers pending the harvest and sale of their produce," the governor said.
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