- * Pleads With Bank's CEOs To Re-Open Closed Branches
- Seeks Banks' Support For New Industrial Policy
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief) @CelestineOkaf11
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has approved almost half a billion naira to 734 pensioners who are retirees under the old pension scheme and who are Local Government Staff and Primary School teachers.
The Governor, according to a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Staff Pension Bureau, Mr Akibu Ibrahim, said that the retirees who are under the old pension scheme have been captured in the tranche.
Part of the statement reads, "This is to inform the general public that the Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke has approved almost half a billion naira to 734 pensioners who are retirees under the old pension scheme, that are Local Government Staff and Primary school teachers.
"Sequel to this, the affected pensioners who have less than five hundred thousand naira balance with the state government are to visit the Local Government Staff Pension Bureau for proper documentation and payment.
"The affected pensioners who have less than five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) balance with the state government are to visit the Local Government Staff Pension Bureau for proper documentation and payment", the statement said.
Recall, that Governor Adeleke has promised not to take with levity the welfare of the people of Osun, hence his resolve to continue to pay the inherited debt by the previous government and offsetting backlog of workers' salary and pensioners.
He said his administration is focused and committed to offsetting all outstanding salaries and pensions of workers in the State
Adeleke explained that his major focus is how best to resolve all outstanding workers-related debts saying it is unacceptable for a government to treat its pensioners the way the past government had done saying, “I had decided never to follow that path. Workers, in and out of service, deserve their due emoluments.
In another development, governor Adeleke has pleaded with banks' Chief Executive officers in Nigeria to re-open their closed branches in towns across Osun state, assuring that "there is a new Sheriff in town".
Speaking at the comissioning of the rebuilt Ede branch of First Bank of Nigeria on Friday, July 14, 2023, Governor Adeleke said his administration has reworked the security architecture of the state to secure major towns and villages.
"The conditions responsible for the closing of Banks' branches at Ila, Iree, Ikirun, Iwo and other areas of the state no longer exist. Osun is secured for banking operations.
"I call on top bank managements, reopen your branches. Osun is under-banked, even with digital applications, physical offices are still needed in many towns.
"I recently launched a sustainable industrial policy for the state. I call on banks to partner with us for implementation. We want to grow the private sector. This is good news for financial institutions.
"We are receiving high volumes of investors' interest to enter the Osun market. We are creating the enabling environment. Bank chiefs should join us.
"I commend the First Bank for its deep partnership with Osun state. Expand your reach, our administration is prepared to deepen partnership with financial institutions and private organizations", the Governor noted while comissioning the branch.
Speaking while welcoming the Governor, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Dr Adesola Adeduntan reassured the Governor and all Osun residents of the resolve of his bank to provide banking operation of high standard to their esteemed customers across the state.
Commending the Governor for his pro-business policies and prigrammes, Dr Adeduntan who was represented by the Executive Director said First Bank is committed to expanding services to all under served areas through its First Monie product.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adewale Egbedun, the Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye and four commissioners designates. NNL.
