Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State officially commenced the distribution of N6 billion in gratuity and death benefits to 3,313 retirees on Thursday. The ceremony took place at the Coronation Hall in Government House, Kano, marking the fourth tranche of payments covering the period from 2020 to 2023.
During the event, Governor Yusuf handed a dummy cheque of N4.5 billion to Habu Fagge, the pension board chairman, reaffirming his government’s dedication to resolving the hardships faced by retirees and enhancing civil servant welfare.
This payment encompasses various groups of retirees, including those affected by a significant backlog that has caused prolonged suffering. The governor highlighted prior payments of N6 billion to the first batch of 4,915 beneficiaries and N5 billion to a second batch of 1,722 retirees, as well as an additional N5 billion distributed on January 9 to 1,579 beneficiaries.
“Today, we are releasing N6 billion for death benefits and gratuities for retirees earning N2.5 million or less from 2020 to 2023,” he announced. The total amount disbursed so far has reached N22 billion, with an additional N5 billion set aside for the next round of payments by August.
Governor Yusuf promised to address the outstanding pension benefits of over N48 billion to alleviate the suffering of senior citizens. He commended the pension board and investigative bodies for their efforts and stressed a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct.
He urged pensioners to remain patient, assuring them that all entitlements would be fulfilled. Habu Fagge confirmed that the current administration has disbursed a total of N22 billion from the N48 billion backlog. Godwin Abumisi, national president of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, praised the governor’s initiatives, while the Emir of Gaya and beneficiary Amina Muhammad expressed their gratitude for the support received.