The Pension Week kicked off on Monday in Lagos State amid pomp and pageantry.
The pensioners showed up for the celebration at a well-lit decorated and air conditioned hall at Agidingbi, Ikeja. They were gorgeously dressed in various native attires full of life. They hung out, played games, danced and enjoyed some drama scenes.
The Week was organised by the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC). Pensioners who retired as far back as 2001 were given special invitation cards to attend the event.
The pensioners have cause to celebrate because apart from prompt lump sum and monthly pension, they enjoy free health service, among other social benefits.
Also, after clearing its pension backlog of N70 billion owed 21,500 pensioners in July, this year, the Lagos State government can boast that it is the best pension-compliant and friendly state in Nigeria.
LASPEC said the week marked a significant occasion for them, as it afforded them the chance to reflect on the contributions of their pensioners to the growth and development of the state.
Apart from social benefits like free healthcare, they were informed that they would soon have access to free transport.
The state Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro said he finds the Week very important, as it provides the state the opportunity to acknowledge and reflect on the dedication, hard work, selfless service and sacrifices of senior citizens while in active service and after their glorious exit from the public service.
He said while it also gives them an avenue to express their gratitude, it is fitting to set aside a week to appreciate and celebrate the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to the state.
He noted that the government is committed to ensuring that their pensioners receive support, because their welfare is important to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
He pointed out that the governor recognised the contributions of pensioners.
He said: “It is in line with our commitment to improving the lives of our pensioners, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration, through the Office of the Head of Service has put in place various initiatives that will ensure continuous physical and psychological engagement of our retirees, to keep them active at all times, as well as improve their quality of life.
“These initiatives being implemented through the Post-Service Directorate of the Office of the Head of Service include consistent felicitation with retirees on their birthdays through phone calls, text messages and delivery of gifts at their door steps; organising of quarterly training, sensitisation and skill acquisition programmes to impact retirees with requisite knowledge of starting and successfully running profitable ventures in retirement; and organising of health screening to monitor the wellness of our retirees.
“Also, this Administration has strengthened its partnership with healthcare providers, particularly the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), to ensure that our pensioners have access to quality medical care.
“Other initiatives are holding of interactive session of the Head of Service with retirees to offer avenue to them to express their opinions regarding retirement matters; collaborating with relevant MDAs to facilitate mentorship and empowerment that will aid smooth take off of businesses for retirees who have undergone skill acquisition programmes; paying periodic visits and presenting essential health items to retirees at the recreation and wellness centres within the five Administrative Divisions of the state; and, hosting of bi-monthly webinars where retirees are enlightened about management of their health, finance, business ideas and issues relating to life after retirement.”
He assured that the government is dedicated to providing support for the pensioners and they would continue to ensure that they have access to resources and services that will guarantee them comfortable life.
Agoro expressed gratitude to the Director-General, LASPEC, Mr. Babalola Obilana; the Executive Director, Finance and Investment, Mr. Olumuyiwa Oshin and staff members of the commission in ensuring better service to retirees.
Obilana said the celebration served as a reminder that retirement is not an end, but rather a new chapter that deserves to be filled with peace, comfort, and joy.
Extending appreciation to Sanwo-Olu for providing funds for them to settle pensioners, he said his leadership and vision have been instrumental in ensuring that the state remains a leading light in governance.
He said: “This week is a time for us to pause and appreciate the monumental contributions made by those who have spent decades of their lives in service to this great state. Our pensioners have played an irreplaceable role in building the foundation upon which Lagos stands. From its humble beginnings, to its current position as the economic capital of Nigeria and West Africa, pensioners have been instrumental in shaping its progress and success.
“Lagos State owes much of its success to the dedication of our pensioners. Whether they served in the public sector, the educational system, healthcare, transportation, or other critical sectors of the economy, the work of these individuals has laid the foundation for our progress. Our pensioners have contributed to the design of policies, the execution of development projects, the administration of government functions, and the nurturing of the Public Service Institutions that continue to serve our citizens today.
“Throughout your careers, you have given your time, energy and expertise to building the vibrant Lagos we see. As teachers, doctors, engineers, administrators, and public servants, you have worked tirelessly to ensure that the wheels of governance turned efficiently. As you enjoy the fruits of your hard work in retirement, we owe you a debt of gratitude, and this celebration is one way of recognising that debt.”
He continued: “Pensioners are not just retirees; they are a living repository of knowledge, wisdom, and experience. The Public Service was built on the principles of hard work, discipline, and dedication, values that have been passed down from one generation of public servants to the next. The history of Lagos State is, in many ways, your history. Today, as we mark Pensioners’ Week, we honour your legacy and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that your contributions are never forgotten.
“One of the key priorities of LASPEC is to guarantee that pensioners are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. We understand that the journey does not end once a public servant retires. In fact, it is at this point that their need for continued care, attention, and support becomes even more pronounced. Therefore, our mandate at LASPEC goes beyond mere administration of pension benefits, it is about ensuring that every pensioner receives the financial security, healthcare and other forms of support that will enable them to enjoy a peaceful and dignified retirement.’’
“I am pleased to inform you that under the leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu, we have made significant strides in improving the welfare of pensioners. Over the years, we have continued to meet our obligations with regards to pension payment, and we have introduced numerous reforms to ensure a seamless and transparent process for the payment of pensions. This administration has prioritized the payment of pension arrears and in July of this year, Mr. Governor cleared the backlog of outstanding accrued rights. This has gone a long way in easing the burden for many pensioners.”
The DG further stated that at LASPEC, they are also committed to ensuring that the pension management process remains transparent and efficient.
“We recognise that many pensioners still face challenges in accessing their entitlements, and we are working to streamline processes, increase awareness, and provide assistance to ensure that all pensioners receive their due benefits promptly and without difficulty. We have also strengthened our communication channels, ensuring that pensioners can easily contact us for inquiries, complaints, or suggestions,” he stressed.
The pensioners lauded Sanwo-Olu and LASPEC chief for showing that they cared for them.
Chairman, All Lagos State Retired Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Otunba Nurudeen Ojora said the week reinforces what pensioners stand for and has done in the past for the state.
Ojora said it is a good thing to know that the government is remembering pensioners.
He however noted that the Week also reinforces the need for them and the government to do more.
“We have asked ourselves what more we can be in terms of pensioners’ welfare. We talk of health issues and the challenges we face in our hospitals when we seek the free healthcare the government has provided for us.
“A situation where a pensioner has to visit the hospital for three days in a week before he or she can be treated is not too good. This can defeat the government’s effort. So, we are going to suggest to the government that these are the areas they need to address.
“We believe that the government can establish a desk in each of the hospitals so that when pensioners go there, they know who to meet and can immediately attend to them,”, he submitted.
He advised pensioners of other states who are being owed years of unpaid pension to pray for their government to do better for them.
He also said while governors are politicians who may not really understand why they should spend billions on pensions, the civil servants, the Accountant-General and Commissioner for Budget should advise them better on what pension is.
Expressing what it feels like to retire in Lagos State, Olushina, who retired as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information in 2022, said he was happy to have retired in the state.
He said: “We see what is happening to our fellow pensioners from other states and I thank God every day for what Lagos is doing.
“We hear stories of other states where pensioners are owed over five years. How do they want people to survive? We have to give kudos to the government of Lagos State.”
Another pensioner, Mrs. Adebukola Oluwaseyi, said when she got the special invitation to attend the event, she felt elated because it was an indication that the government remembered her.
Mrs. Oluwaseyi, who retired in 2019 as a teacher, said inflation has reduced the value of their monthly pension and called on the government to increase their pension.
“My impression about the programme is that it is a good one. The payment of pension today is different from that of those days when we had to stand in the sun. Here we are seated enjoying food and drinks. This is very good but we’ll ask for more rights by increasing our monthly pension. I retired in 2010. Prices are on the increase.
Another pensioner, Mrs. Eunice Adetunji, retired in 2003, added: “I feel great today. After retiring in 2003, I never knew the state still remembers me. We thank the government for remembering us. We look forward to a better pension.’’
