Kano: Gov Yusuf flags off payment of N6bn gratuity to over 5000 Pensioners

By solacebase.com On Dec 2, 2023

Ramadan feeding program, Abba Kabir Yusuf , Kano, APC, — Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf-

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State on Saturday inaugurated the payment of about N6 billion of the backlog of gratuities to over 5,000 pensioners in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yusuf stated this during the take-off of the payment to some categories of retirees at Coronation Hall Government House Kano, on Saturday.

He said his administration inherited a huge backlog of pensions and gratuities of retirees, saying many of them had passed away without receiving their entitlements.

”As you are aware, the eight years of the last administration witnessed neglect of so many sectors which includes deductions of monthly pension illegally

”We made promises during the campaign that we would pay pension gratuities and also curtail monthly pension deduction if given the mandate, today we are fulfilling our promise in spite of the competing demands.

He noted that the payment would continue, stressing that the backlog of over N48 billion in pension and gratuities would be settled in the nearest future.

He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the benefits for a bright future.

Delivering a Speech, the Executive Chairman, Kano State Pension Trustee Fund, Alhaji Habu Fagge, said the board had a backlog of N48 billion.

He noted that injecting N6 billion into pension would help immensely in reviving the economy, welfare, and livelihood of the people of the state.

In their separate remarks, the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shehu Sagagi, and Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, said the event was a great moment of the Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration for fulfilling the promise made to the pensioners in Kano.

They noted that the payment of the gratuities would end the life of hardships on retirees and on behalf of the civil servants and retirees, applauded the efforts Gov. Abba Yusuf’s administration for the gesture.

Also speaking, the National President, NUP, Comrade Godwin Abumisi represented by the National Trustee, Comrade Abdullahi Tsoho Garba said,

“the settlement of unpaid gratuities and death benefits at a time when his other colleagues are

grappling with take-up issues, speaks volumes of Your Excellency’s capacity to like never before, provide dividends of democracy to the people of Kano State. This gesture is a clear manifestation of your workers and pensioner-friendly posture.
“By our records, Kano State is among states with a high accumulation of unpaid retirement benefits to the tune of forty-three billion Naira from 2016 to date.
“However, with the earmarking of N6bn just for a start, it is a clear indication that in no distance future, Kano under Abba Gida Gida will soon join the league of states with little or no gratuity liability like Kaduna, Jigawa, Ondo, and others.”
In their separate remarks, the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and former

Deputy Governor Hafiz Abubakar urged the pensioners not to allow their ‘illegal’ deductions of benefits by the previous administration to go free.
They therefore called on them to report their case to the anti-corruption agencies available

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who spoke through the Magajin Rafin Kano, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ahmed, commended “the giant stride” of the governor for starting the program.

Malam Bala Sani and Hajiya Bilkisu Bashir were among the beneficiaries; they applauded the kind gesture of the government, saying it would go a long way in alleviating their sufferings. (NAN)