Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State on Saturday inaugurated the payment of about N6 billion of the backlog of gratuities to pensioners in the state.

Mr Yusuf stated this during the take-off of the payment to some categories of retirees at Coronation Hall Government House Kano, on Saturday.

He said his administration inherited a huge backlog of pension and gratuities of retirees, saying many of them had passed away without receiving their entitlements.

”As you are aware, the eight years of the last administration witnessed neglect of so many sectors, which includes deductions of monthly pension illegally.

”We made promises during our campaign that we will pay pension and gratuities and also curtail monthly pension deduction if given the mandate.

“Today, we are fulfilling our promise in spite of the competing demands.

He noted that the payment would continue, stressing that the backlog of over N48 billion pension and gratuities would be settled in the nearest future.

He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the benefits for a bright future.

Delivering a speech, the executive chairman of Kano State Pension Trustee Fund, Habu Fagge, said the board had a backlog of N48 billion.

He noted that injecting N6 billion into pension would help immensely in reviving the economy, welfare and livelihood of the people of the state.

In their separate remarks, the chief of staff, Shehu Sagagi, and head of service, Abdullahi Musa, said the event was a great moment of Mr Yusuf’s administration for fulfilling the promise made to the pensioners in Kano.

They noted that the payment of the gratuities would end the life of hardship on retirees and on behalf of the civil servants and retirees, applauded the efforts of Mr Yusuf’s administration.

Earlier, the national president of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, represented by the national trustee of the union, Abdullahi Tsoho Garba, said the action exhibited by the governor was a clear indication that his administration was pensioner-friendly.

The Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, who spoke through the Magajin Rafin Kano, Abdulkadir Ahmed, commended “the giant stride” of the governor for initiating the programme.

Bala Sani and Bilkisu Bashir were among the beneficiaries; they applauded the kind gesture of the government, saying it would go a long way in alleviating their sufferings.

(NAN)