By Usman Usman Garba
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has pledged to settle all outstanding gratuities and death benefits amounting to N21bn before the end of his first tenure in 2027.
The governor disclosed this on Wednesday at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, during the disbursement of N5bn to retirees and families of deceased civil servants.
“So far, within two years of the present administration, N27bn has been paid, including today’s N5bn settlement,” Yusuf said.
A statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, noted that more than half of the 12,000 affected pensioners had already received their full benefits.
“As we launch another batch of the payment of outstanding gratuity and death benefits to pensioners and the families of deceased civil servants, we are reaffirming our commitment to ending the suffering and hardship they have endured for a long time.
“I therefore use this opportunity to thank Almighty Allah and to launch this fifth disbursement as part of our unwavering commitment to settle the entire outstanding gratuity and death benefits, Insha Allah, before the end of my first term,” the governor added.
He commended pensioners for their patience, assuring them that their long wait would soon be over. He also lauded pension managers and union leaders, including the Executive Chairman of the Kano Pension Trustee Fund, Habu Muhammad Fagge; the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi; and the Acting NUP Chairman in Kano, Shu’aibu Musa Jibril, for their support.
Earlier, the Emir of Rano, Dr. Muhammad Isa Umaru, who represented the Chairman of the Kano Emirates Council, Muhammad Sanusi II, praised the administration for prioritising retirees.
The monarch, however, lamented that during the immediate past administration, pensioners were allegedly forced to pay bribes before accessing their benefits.
Highlights of the event included the instant posting of benefit payments, presentation of death benefit cheques, and the gifting of Governor Yusuf’s portraits by some pensioners.