The Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has called on its members to remain patient with the state government concerning their outstanding entitlements, assuring them that negotiations remain in progress.

In a joint statement by Alhaji Saidu Oladimeji, the union’s chairman, and Comrade Chief Abraham Jona Gana JP, the secretary, the union emphasized the importance of a respectful and considerate approach in discussions with the government, cautioning that confrontation may not yield positive results.

The NUP leadership also encouraged members to avoid inflammatory remarks about the government, stressing that such expressions could impede the union’s ongoing negotiations.

The union commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State for his efforts on behalf of pensioners, which include regular monthly pension payments, palliatives, and the incremental payment of gratuities.

However, the union also called on the state government to swiftly address other immediate needs of its members, such as the implementation of “consequential adjustments based on the N30,000.00 minimum wage, the federally approved five-year pension increase (20% for levels 1-16 and 28% for level 17), and the application of adjustments to the new N70,000.00 minimum wage.”

The union reiterated its appeal to the Kwara State government for the allocation of land for the construction of a new secretariat and requested that gratuities be paid to retirees promptly rather than in small installments.

Finally, the union pledged its unwavering support and cooperation to the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and wished him a long life, good health, and the wisdom to elevate Kwara State to greater heights.