The Officials of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos has lauded the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde for his unwavering commitment to pensioners welfare since assumption of office.
The commendation was given by NIPSS officials while conducting an on- the- spot assessment of Local Government Administrative Policies and Strategic Development Initiatives of Oyo State covering Local Government Staff Pension Board which was held at the State Secretariat, Ibadan.
According to the leader of the team, Professor Ibrahim Choji ” NIPSS is a foremost federal government think tank in Nigeria and the purpose of the visit is to carry out assessment of Local Government policies, strategies and systems to see what is on ground to form part of recommendations and implementation strategies to the presidency so that best practices can be adopted and award will be given to outstanding state/agency in December.”
“I must confess that there are so many things that we have seen on ground at the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board as best practices. Oyo State has been hospitable and accommodating”.
In his address, the Secretary to the Oyo State Government ( SSG), Prof Musibau Babatunde welcomed the team on behalf of the government and the good people of Oyo State. He expressed appreciation to NIPSS and enumerated some of the achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde led government which include highly competitive massive recruitment exercise , integrated administrative system across the Local Governments, functional local governments , well equipped Primary Health Care Centres and many more.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board , Hon Akeem Ademola Ige said governor Seyi Makinde has approved immediate payment of death benefits of the slain Oriire teachers. He further stated that the payment will be seamless without any stress for the family members of the deceased teachers .
While receiving the NIPSS team at the Local Government House, Hon Akeem Ige highlighted some of the achievements, programmes and pensioners friendly policies of the present administration in the state under the leadership of Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde which include payment of #42B as gratuity and death benefits to retired and deceased pensioners out of the inherited backlog and part of the accrued under the present administration, increase in monthly allocation of the Board from #250m to #3B, total monthly pension paid to both retired Local Government retirees from 2019-2026 is over #103B
He stated further that ‘payment of #15,000 wage award , #10,000 transport support fund payment of #50,000 as Christmas bonus to all pensioners and many more. He then presented the comprehensive report of activities and achievements of the Board to the team after series of brainstorming sessions.
In his remarks the National Coordinator of the assessment progranme, Mr Yoni Charles said he is highly impressed about the state . “On behalf of the Director General, I’m not disappointed, I’m impressed, I’m proud of Oyo State ” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Head of Local Government Administration of the Board, Alhaji Musibau Ladele said that the assessment will strengthen administrative excellence, strategic leadership, institutional performance, accountability and effective service delivery within Nigeria”s local government system.
Similarly, newly retired Primary School Teachers and Local Government Staff were payrolled and symbolic presentation of pension certificates was done by officials of NIPSS where they had the opportunity to interface with the retirees.
Responding on behalf of the newly payrolled retirees, Mrs Balogun Abosede expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor of Oyo State , His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde for the kind gestures extended to retirees under the present administration.
Present at the NIPSS official visit include the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Budget, Finance and Economic Planning Alhaji Gafar Bello , the Permanent Secretary, General Administration , Office of the Executive Governor, Mr Kadri Akeem, NIPSS Director of Administration , Mr Rotimi Mustapha, Mrs Adenike Ademola , Miss Ibrahim, and Directors of Finance and Supplies Mrs Temitayo Adeyemo, Director of Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics , Mr Oluwole Kehinde, Director of Education and Social Services,Mrs Banke Adeyemo, Internal Auditor, Alhaji Raifu Najimdeen, Deputy Director of Administration and General Services Mr Abiodun Muraina and a host of others.
