‘We are dying of hunger,’ pensioners protest over non-payment of entitlements in Osun

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

Some Pensioners in Osun State of Nigeria Wednesday, November 18 shut down the entrance of the State Government Secretariat at Abere, in Osogbo, the state capital, to demanding payment of their entitlements.

It was gathered that the affected pensioners, who retired from the Civil Service under Contributory Pension Scheme, protested over non-payment of their pensions.

Report indicated that the aggrieved pensioners were armed with diverse placards, reading: “We are dying of hunger”; “Masses, help us we are dying”; and “Dead people cannot enjoy infrastructure” among others.

Pensioners, who spoke with journalists, also lamented the hardship they have been subjected to as a result of the state government’s failure to settle their entitlements.

Prince Wole Oyebamiji, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who attended to the protesters, pleaded with them to exercise more patience.

Oyebamiji assured them that the government would attend to their demands accordingly.

The SSG also disclosed that the Osun State Government is aware of the enormous challenges of accumulated unpaid pensions for some years back.

The administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is addressing through prompt release of funds into the pensions account of the state, said he.

According to Oyebamiji, as of Tuesday, Governor Oyetola had approved and paid another tranche of money into the pensions account as a means of meeting the objective of payment of pensions in Osun State.