The State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, gave the assurance while flagging-off a screening and sensitisation programme for Civil/Public Servants whose retirement date falls between July 2nd to December 31st, 2025, at the Obas' Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
According to him, the process had validated the commitment of the State Government to the effective implementation of the Scheme, as it has kept its promises by ensuring that all knotty issues around it had been resolved.
The HoS said government had kept its promises by ensuring that the Retirement Savings Account (RSAs) of the retirees have been consolidated into Accrued Pension Rights, arrears of CPS deductions, Return on Investments (RoI), amongst others which had been implemented, thereby putting smiles on the faces of the senior citizens.
He added that the State government was equally committed to the payment of Additional Pension Benefits (APB), while payment of palliatives had also commenced.
Onasanya said the retirees needed to be guided on judicious spending of the money, hence, the setting up of the sensitisation and screening programme to guide them and provide necessary orientation in order to channel the hard earned money on gainful ventures.
He advised them to be conscious of the times and happenings in the country so as not to allow their money to go down the drain, requesting them to beware of fraudsters, online businesses they were not sure of and internet scammers who were on the prowl to waste their efforts.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of State Pensions, Mrs. Arinola Adetayo, said the exercise marked another significant milestone in the collective effort to ensure that every eligible retiree in the government service is properly captured and accounted for in the pension database.
She said the exercise showed the commitment of Prince Dapo Abiodun-led government to the welfare of the senior citizens who had diligently served the State and assured that government remained resolute in ensuring that they enjoy a smooth transition into their retirement.
Adetayo said the objective of the programme was to guarantee transparency, accuracy and fairness in the administration of retirement benefits under the Scheme.
She commended the retirees for their years of faithful and selfless service, adding that their contributions have helped to shape the success story of the State, not leaving out the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), Pension Fund Management Committee (PFMC), Resource Persons and other stakeholders for their collaborative efforts at making the scheme a huge success.
Adding their voices, the organised labour, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Com. Hammed Ademola-Benco, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Com. Akeem Lasisi and the Chairman, Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC), Com. Isa Olude said the programme had come to stay due to the commitment of the Governor and his team in ensuring that the senior citizens' welfare are well taken care of, adding that the Contributory Pension Scheme would be effective, sustainable and accountable.
They urged the retirees to spend their money judiciously and take care of their health which is paramount in old age.
In separate interviews, some of the participants, Mrs. Adenike Tonade, Mrs. Bolanle Ajayi and Engr. Wale Sokunbi appreciated the government and the organisers for packaging a well thought-out programme for them, as it had exposed them to the proper utilisation of their money, especially the safe investment drives they could engage in.
They appreciated the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his commitment to their welfare, especially the payment of the unexpected palliatives to retirees who penned down from 2nd July, 2025.
Paper presentations at the sensitisation included: "Empowering Ogun State Retirees for Financial Independence: Smart Investment and Wealth Management Options under the CPS" delivered by a retired Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Adekunle Adegbite and "Healthy Living after Retirement" by Dr. Temitope Yomibo-Sofolahan, as well as modalities for enrollment into the PFAs accounts
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