By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved the immediate payment of pensions, gratuities, and death benefits to retired local government staff, Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) teachers, and deceased retirees across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Comrade Emeka Nwonu, announced this on Monday during a press briefing in Abakaliki, describing the gesture as a fulfillment of the governor’s promise to improve the welfare of retired civil servants in line with his administration’s “People’s Charter of Needs” policy.

According to the statement, the governor approved over N10 billion to clear outstanding pension arrears and gratuities owed to retirees dating back to 1996, covering both living and deceased beneficiaries. The Executive Secretary noted that this development has brought renewed hope to thousands of pensioners who had waited years without receiving their entitlements.

“In this exercise, which kicks off today, about 4,000 retirees, comprising retired local government staff and UBEB teachers—have been profiled for payment,” the statement read.

“The Screening Committee, chaired by Her Excellency, Mrs. Catherine Ogbu, has released the payment schedule, beginning with Abakaliki Local Government Area and expected to conclude on November 28, 2025, with Ohaukwu LGA.”

It would be recalled that in 2024, Governor Nwifuru cleared a backlog of arrears owed to state retirees since 1996, amounting to several billions of naira. This, observers say, further affirms his administration’s commitment to restoring the dignity of labour and ensuring that workers enjoy the fruits of their service even after retirement.

Governor Nwifuru has also demonstrated his administration’s concern for the welfare of active civil servants. Recently, he increased the state’s minimum wage to ?90,000, surpassing the new national benchmark, despite Ebonyi being one of the states with the lowest federal allocation.

The Executive Secretary praised the governor for translating his words into action, noting that his people-oriented governance aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Some of the retirees including, former principal of Army Day Secondary School Abakaliki, Lady Stella Ikpor and Elder Ama Orji described the exercise as a dream come true, stressing that governor Nwifuru paying the gratuity has proven that years of their labour were not in vain.