Gombe Governor Disburses N8.2bn Gratuity to Over 3,000 Retirees

…Flags-off Payment of N1.5 Billion Scholarship to 18,750 Students

Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya on Tuesday commenced disbursement of N8.2 billion as gratuity payments to 3,204 retirees from both state and local government services.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the event was a continuation of his government’s pledge to clear all outstanding gratuities by 2027, ensuring that no retiree is left behind.

“During the last payment exercise in July this year, we made a firm pledge to achieve zero gratuity backlog by 2027. Today’s event is another bold step toward that vision,” the Governor stated.

He revealed that the government is committing 8.2 billion Naira for the payment of accumulated gratuities to state and local government retirees, including 6.6 billion Naira specifically earmarked for state retirees spanning across 2021, 2022 and 2023, covering a total of 3,204 beneficiaries.

The payments also covered a one -year disbursement of outstanding gratuities for 162 local government retirees across the 11 local government council of the state.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya explained that the next payment phase will cover state retirees for 2024 and 2025, adding that his administration has mapped out a schedule to ensure complete clearance before the end of his tenure.

“By next year, we will clear the gratuities of 2024 and 2025 retirees, and by the first quarter of 2027, every retiree in Gombe State would have been fully paid. No one will be left waiting for their entitlements,” the Governor assured.

Similarly, Governor Inuwa Yahaya flagged off the payment of scholarship allowances to Gombe State students studying in various institutions of higher learning across the country.

Speaking during the ceremony at the Government House, Governor Inuwa Yahaya announced that the scholarship payment totals 1.5 billion Naira and will be disbursed as scholarship allowances to 18,750 students of Gombe State origin.

The payment, he noted, follows the 100% upward review recently approved by his administration, in recognition of the rising cost of living and the need to support students’ academic pursuits.

In appreciation of his administration’s consistent investment in education and students’ welfare, representatives of the National Association of the Nigerian Students and GOSSA president presented a special gift of honour to Governor Inuwa Yahaya, describing him as a leader who keeps his promises and restores hope to students.