Emotions ran high across Edo State on Monday as teachers and local government workers who retired as far back as 2012 finally received their long-awaited gratuities, following the release of N1 billion by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
For many of the elderly beneficiaries, the moment was one they had waited years to witness—some with fading hope, others battling illness, and many grappling with the harsh realities of life after retirement without financial support. As cheques were handed over, scenes of tears, prayers, and heartfelt gratitude filled the air, reflecting both the pain of the delay and the relief of fulfillment.
Several retirees, now visibly aged and frail, could not hold back their emotions as they received their payments. Some wept openly, clutching their cheques with trembling hands, while others offered prayers for the governor and those who made the disbursement possible. For them, the money was more than just a financial settlement—it was a restoration of dignity long denied.
The exercise, which took place under the supervision of the Edo State Local Government Staff Pension Bureau, also captured some pensioners who retired between 2009 and 2011, as part of efforts to clear longstanding backlogs. In a compassionate gesture, a few retirees who left service in 2013 but are currently battling critical illnesses were also included in the payment.
Speaking during the presentation of cheques, the Chairman of the bureau, Kabiru Adjoto, said the administration was committed to ensuring that no retiree is left behind. He disclosed that the governor had already pledged to release another N1 billion to facilitate the payment of gratuities to those who retired in 2013.
Adjoto emphasized that the inclusion of retirees from earlier years was deliberate, aimed at wiping out accumulated arrears and bringing relief to those who had endured prolonged delays. According to him, the current administration is determined to correct past lapses and restore confidence in the system.
“This is not just about payment; it is about justice and fulfilling obligations to those who have served the state diligently,” he noted, adding that the governor remains resolute in addressing the plight of pensioners.
Beneficiaries shared emotional testimonies, recounting years of hardship marked by unpaid medical bills, inability to meet basic needs, and, in some cases, the loss of colleagues who died waiting for their entitlements. One retired teacher described the payment as “a miracle,” saying she had nearly given up hope after more than a decade of waiting.
Another retiree, a former local government worker, said the delay had taken a heavy toll on his family. “We suffered. There were times we could not afford food or medication. Today, I feel remembered,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion.
The initiative has been widely seen as a significant step toward addressing the long-standing issue of unpaid gratuities in Edo State, a problem that has plagued successive administrations and left many retirees in distress. Analysts say timely payment of pensions and gratuities is crucial not only for the welfare of retirees but also for maintaining morale among serving workers.
The promise of an additional N1 billion for 2013 retirees has further raised expectations, with many hopeful that the momentum will be sustained until all outstanding obligations are cleared.
For now, the scenes witnessed on Monday serve as a powerful reminder of the human impact of delayed entitlements and the profound difference that timely intervention can make. For the retirees who finally received their dues, it was not just a financial transaction, but a long-overdue acknowledgment of years of service and sacrifice.
