11th March, 2021
Ondo State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has commissioned Ultra Modern Event Centre and Chalets situated along Oda Road Akure, Ondo State.
The official commissioning was done by the Governor of Ondo State ably represented by the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Mr Victor Olajonrin.
In his welcome address, the Acting Chairman of the union, Elder Johnson Salami said the building of a befitting event centre in the life of the union in the last 42 years of its existence deserves commendation.
He disclosed further that, the new edifice was the resultant effect of the goodwill the leaders of Ondo State Pensioners have been enjoying from co-pensioners who willingly out of their meagre monthly pension made financial contributions to support the building projects.
Elder Salami frowned at the displeasure Ondo State Pensioners are experiencing from both the state and federal which included non-correction of the errors of short payment made by PTAD after its verification exercise carried out in Ondo State in 2018, non-payment of gratuities since 2013, gratuities are paid in a haphard manner, payment of 50% monthly pension among others.
While speaking, the Chairman of the Building Committee, Comrade Oredola Jacob said the need to expand the Pensioner’s House project was mooted and presented to the NUP State Council which translated to the commissioned edifice.
He thanked the Governor for creating the enabling environment for the deductions, remitting of the amount to the NUP and 33% increase approval. ” The approval of the 33% pension increase and subsequent payment to Ondo State Pensioners gave filling to the 2% deductions from our allowances at the nick of time”.
Comrade Oredola requested the government for patronage of the event centre and chalets whenever there is state functions and asphalting the road leading to the Pensioner’s House. ” We are appealing to our governor to kindly consider asphalting/tarring this road from Oda to link any convenient distance”.
The National President of NUP, Dr Abel Afolayan commended the leadership of Pensioners in Ondo State for erecting a magnificent edifice, saying it was a fulfilment of the vision of Late Raphael Adetuwo, the former chairman of the union.
The State Administrative Secretary of NUP, Comrade Akin Sunday charged the private and government for patronage, saying the facilities at both the chalets and hall measured up to international standard.
He noted that, the projects cost the union nothing less than N170m to complete it. ” We spent nothing less than N170m to complete both the chalets and event hall. The chalets comprises of 16 standard rooms and the hall is 1000 sitting capacity. The N170m spent include cost of electrification, building, flooring, Mikano Generator, furnishing among other expenses”.
The Governor of Ondo State was represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance victor olajonrin said the governor is committed to the welfare of the pensioners in the state, asking the pensioners to key into the lives changing programmes of the state government.
The peak of the program was the presentation of awards to outstanding individual. The Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN received Award of Pensioner- Friendly Governor; Mr Oluwadare Aragbaiye, Award of Love and passion for Pensioners; Comrade Oluwole Sunday Adeleye, Award of Excellent Support for Pensioners and Post Humour Award for Late Chief Raphael Adetuwo, former chairman of NUP.
