Pensioners in Kwara State, represented by the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), have commended the Kwara State branch of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) for releasing funds to settle outstanding gratuities owed to local government retirees.

In a joint statement issued by the union's chairman, Alhaji Saidu Oladimeji, and secretary, Comrade Abraham Jona Gana (JP), the NUP expressed its delight that the settlement process has begun. The union noted that this action would provide much-needed relief to the affected pensioners, easing their financial burdens.

The move by ALGON is seen as a significant step towards addressing long-standing grievances among retired local government employees in the state.

The union also appealed to Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq to make a similar release of funds to cater for the payment of gratuities to state pensioners.

The NUP said that the state pensioners had been on the waiting list since April 2015.

The union also appealed to the governor to consider all categories of pensioners in the state to be beneficiaries of free healthcare.

The people assured the governor of their support and cooperation with his administration and prayed to God to grant him a successful tenure of office.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has commiserated with the state government on the sudden demise of the immediate past Kwara State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole.

In a condolence message to the government of Kwara State and signed by the chairman of the union, Alhaji Saidu Oladimeji, and the secretary, Comrade Abraham Jona Gana (JP), the union described the death of the deceased as not only a sad event but also a great loss to her family, the Kwara State government, and the entire people of the state.

The union also described the late Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole, during her service with the Kwara State government, as a dedicated, committed, reliable, honest, and hardworking civil servant, calling on her family and the Kwara State government to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a fulfilled and purposeful life worthy of emulation.

The union then prayed to God to grant her a peaceful rest and give her family, the Kwara State government, and the entire people of the state the fortitude to bear the loss.