The Ekiti state Governor Biodun Oyebanji has paid an additional N3.5 billion in gratuity out of 19billion naira backlogs for senior citizens in the State.

Speaking at the 2024 Pensioners' Day celebration in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji reiterated his commitment to prioritize the welfare of retirees by defraying the inherited bulk of gratuity backlogs.

Oyebanji said over 500 pensioners benefitted from the latest tranche of payment with N2.3 billion gratuity paid to state pensioners while local government pensioners got N1.2 billion gratuity.

Meanwhile the national pensioner's president for Southwest Ayo Ikumapayi and the state chairman comrade Joel Akinola said governor Oyebanji has set the space for other Southwest governors in the area of pensioners welfare.

They also appreciated the governor for steady liquidation of outstanding gratuities, payment of deductions, payment of arrears of pensions, free health care scheme for pensioners among others.