NUP Visits LG Staff Pension Board

In line with the recent inauguration of the Kwara State Local Government Staff Pension Board by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulfatah Ahmed, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Kwara Chapter was on a courtesy call to the Chairman of the LG Pension Board, Hajia Adebayo Nike Sarat in her office.

The Union congratulated the Chairman, Hajia Sarat, and prayed for a successful tenure and wished her well on the seat for the betterment of the pensioners.

The Union appreciated the open door policy of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to the pensioners despite the several challenges confronting the Union. They, however, noted the several steps taken by the Governor to rescue the current challenges and urged the State Government in general to do more for the pensioners who have meritoriously served the state in the past.

The Union assured the Government and the Board for maximum cooperation for the success of their operations.

The Chairman LG Staff Pension Board, Hajia Adebayo Nike Sarat, while welcoming the Executives of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (Kwara Branch), who came on a courtesy call, appreciated the Union and thanked them for the visit.

“I am happy and delighted to welcome the Chairman, the Executive and Members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (Kwara State Branch) to the Kwara State LG Staff Pension Board on this courtesy visit. I appreciate you all for this kind gesture.”

She added, “Distinguish Ladies and Gentlemen, let me briefly remind you that the Kwara State LG Staff Pension Board was established in the year 1989 (about 28 years ago) by the then Military Governor of Kwara State, Captain Ibrahim Alkali, through Edict No. 7 of 1989. The Board was created with the main objective of creating for the general welfare of the Pensioners of the Local Government and Local Government Education Authority Staff through prompt payment of their pension and gratuity. Permit me to say that since 1989, the State Government has been very committed to this singular objective. You will agree with me that the State Government has been diligently pursuing this objective before the prevailing economic recession started in 2015. The recession does not only affect the payment of pension and gratuity but even salaries of the serving work force. We crave your understanding in this regard, we are not unaware of your present hardship.”

Hajia Sarat assured the pensioners that as soon as the recession is over and the financial allocation to LG improves, the present plights of the pensioners will be a thing of the past.

She called on almighty Allah to help Nigeria and Kwara in particular to get out of the recession soonest.

Hajia Sarat noted that the LG Staff Pension Board was constituted and inaugurated by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulfatah Ahmed to pursue the main objective of catering for the general welfare of the Local Government and Local Government Education Authority Pensioners.
In her words, This, we will diligently pursue with all sincerity and fear of the Almighty Allah. We are determined to reposition the Board for more productivity, effectiveness and anhance service delivery. I want  to assure you that this is a new Board, new Secretary and new set of staff.”

“Definitely, it cannot be business as usual. I strongly assure you this. We need not only your prayers but also your support, cooperation and understanding. All these we require from you for the success of the Board.”

The Chairman LG Staff Pension Board, Hajia Sarat, called on the Union for harmonious cooperation as the interest of the state is above the interest of an individual.

She urged the Union for peace and to ensure that dialogue remains the key instrument to solve issues. She assured them of the good intention of Governor Ahmed, as a man who feels and shares in the pains of the pensioners.

Hajia Sarat, while thanking the NUP for coming, assured them the readiness of the Board to look into all their various challenges with a view to do justice to them within the power of the Board.