NUP Lauds Okowa For Being Pensioner Friendly

By Aruoriwo Ivovi

The Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has been commended by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), for acceding to their requests for the implementation of the thirty-thousand-naira consequential adjustment of pensioners monthly pay in the State.

Okowa who was also described by the senior citizens as pensioners friendly, noted with excitement that all Pension increment as awarded by the Federal Government, had been approved and implemented by the Delta State Government.

Speaking at the South-South Zonal Forum of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, held in Asaba on Thursday, the State Chairman, Chief Silver Savbede and the South-South Chairman of the Union, Comrade Pullen Sukeye in their separate remarks lauded governor Okowa for prioritizing the welfare of pensioners in the State through regular and prompt payment of their monthly pensions.

They also expressed satisfaction on the robust relationship between them and other critical stakeholders which included the Office of the Head of Service, the Bureau of Pensions, Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour and Servicom, and called for the sustenance of the cordial rapport.

Earlier, while declaring the meeting open, the Head of Service who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, thanked the Executives of the South-South Forum of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners for choosing Delta State as the preferred venue of their meeting.

He noted that their choice of Asaba in hosting the meeting was apt, attributing it to the irrevocable commitment of the Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa administration in enhancing the fortunes of pensioners in the state.

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While describing Okowa as not only a worker friendly governor but also a pensioner friendly governor, the Delta HoS who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Civil Service Matters, Sir Emma Okafor, corroborated the accounts of the pensioners that the Delta State Government had approved and implemented the thirty thousand naira minimum wage consequential adjustment to pensioners in the State as well as other measures awarded by the Federal Government.

He disclosed that the Okowa administration’s penchant for professionalism, hard work and due diligence had made him to appoint some pensioners into his government which he listed to be the chairmen of the two Bureau of Pensions, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour and Servicom as well as the Senior Special Assistant on Civil Service Matters among several others.

Mr. Bayoko who sued for the cooperation and continued support of the senior citizens for the Okowa administration as it winds up on May 29th, assured the pensioners that the in-coming administration of the Governor-Elect, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori would not only sustain the tempo but would do ‘MORE’ for them.

Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah who was represented by the Chairman, Bureau for Local Government Pensions, Mr. Ben Igho, noted that pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme of the State and Local Governments were paid their monthly pensions between 20t and 24th of every month.

The SSG said that the state government believed it was the right thing to do as obligation to senior citizens whom have served the state in various capacities.

The meeting which was attended by delegates from the six states in the South-South Geo political Zone and members of the union from across the State, had in attendance the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour and Servicom, Comrade Jonathan Ojobo as well as the representative of the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Delta State Council, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku.