Pensioners in Osun state on wednesday stormed the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II to protest the non payment of their pension arrears since 2015.
The retirees, under the aegies of Osun State Contributory Pension Retirees are also protesting the non payment of their thirty months half salaries since 2016 and the payment of gratuities since 2015.
The senior citizens held several placards with inscriptions like, “Governor Oyetola, give us our 30 months half salaries” and “Masses help us! We’re dying” among others.
The coordinator of the protest, Comrade Niyi Adefare who is a former Chairman of the National Union of Teachers, Ife Central Local Government urged the Ooni to assist the helpless senior citizens to get their entitlements.
Receiving the unhappy elders on behalf of the Ooni, Laadin of Ife, High-Chief Kayode Awofiranye sympathized with them, promising that their message will be delivered to the Ooni for prompt communication with the state government.
He said “It is so bad to hear that you are going through several hardships as a result of the non-payment of your entitlements, Kabiyesi is aware of your presence here and I want to assure you that necessary actions will be taken to effect the prompt payment of your rightful monies.” The Chief who spoke in Yoruba language said.
The protesters thereafter walked across several streets of the city and visited other notable places including media houses to further press for their demands.
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