By: Sururat Odusanya

In fulfilment of his assurances, the Present administration in Ogun state has continued with the remittance of arrears of the Contributing Pensions Scheme (CPS) to Pension Funds Administrators ( PFA's), provisions of additional palliative to  retirees who existed services from 2nd July, 2025 onward, as it remained committed  to his promises to all the senior citizens in the State.

The Head of Service,  Mr. Kehinde Onasanya stated this  at a  workshop organised for  Civil Servants that  retired from 2nd July, 2025 and those  retiring till  31st December, 2025, at Oba's Complex, Oke- Mosan , Abeokuta, saying the problem of Personal Identification Numbers ( PIN's) with  serving officers had been sorted out. 

                 

Onasanya said the payment of palliative to the recently retired pensioners was to ensure they were not disadvantaged, while the new Contributory Pensions Scheme (CPS), was being implemented, saying this was done to cushion the economic hardship the shift to Contributory Pensions Scheme might cause, urging them to use the retirement benefits judiciously. 

 

"The Ogun State Government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun has committed itself to the smooth implementation of the Contributory Pensions Scheme ( CPS) which is indeed in line with Pension reform Act of 2004 and amended in 2014."

Speaking, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of State Pensions, Mrs. Arinola Adetayo stated that the exercise marked another significant milestone in ensuring every eligible officers and retirees under the State Civil Service were properly captured and accounted for in the pension database.

Adetayo added that the screening exercises was the key component of the retirees process, aimed at verifying the records of retirees and ensuring accuracy of information for the processing of their benefits, commending the retirees for their faithfulness and selfless service.

"Your contribution have shaped the success story of Ogun State, government remained resolute in ensuring that you enjoy a smooth transition into retirement".  

      

One of the resource person's and a retired Permanent Secretary in the State, Alhaji Adekunle Adegbite, who presented a paper on how to invest retirement benefits after serving the government said investing for retirement is a smart move depending on the location, mentioning fixed income like treasury bills, Agriculture -farming, Poultry, Day Care servikces, advising them to avoid online business because of scammers.              

Speaking on Healthy living after retirement tagged "Know Your Health Numbers",  Dr. Temitope Sofolahan from Hospital Management Board enjoined the retirees to keep track of a few boimarker and stay on top of their well-being, identifying the main numbers to monitor as Blood Pressure (BP), Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, Body Mass Index (BMI).

She encouraged the senior citizens to get the BP kits and glucometer for self-monitoring, to know their numbers for early detection. 

  

In their separate remarks, an officer from Fidelity Pensions, Mr. Adekunle Adeniran and his counterpart from OAK Pensions, Mr. Olaife Oluwagbami, enumerated necessary documents used in processing retirement benefits to include, National ID card, BVN, NIN, Birth certificate/ Declaration of age, appointment letter, white background photographs, assuring that, with mentioned documents, their retirement benefits could be processed without delay.  

        

Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress,(NLC) Ogun State Chapel , Mr Hammed Benco,  Mr Akeem Lasisi of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Mr Issa Olude,  Joint Negotiating Council (JNC),  appreciated the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for keeping to his promises on the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Omolara Tonade and Mrs Racheal Ajayi, said the exercise was very educative and enlightening, as it brought illumination on how to start a new chapter of life, appreciating Governor Abiodun for his kind gesture towards the senior citizens