Osun pensioners group denounces protest over entitlements

A faction of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Osun State, otherwise known as the Triangular Group of Pensioners, has condemned last week’s protest by the other group to demand payment of their pensions arrears and gratuities.

The group commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for what it described as ‘a sincere sensitive’ approach to the welfare of pensioners in the state.

A group of pensioners had last week embarked on a peaceful demonstration that lasted two days from Thursday to Friday, demanding prompt payment of their pensions arrears and gratuities.

The Triangular group, which appears sympathetic to the Aregbesola administration, urged their colleagues to stop politicising the issue of pensions in the state.

Chairman of the group, Rotimi Adelugba told journalists in Osogbo that the rationale behind the press briefing was to disclaim some positions held by the 2011/2012 Forum of Retired Public Servants in the state.

He said the group only believed in peace, dialogue and the welfare of pensioners and have been doing everything within the law to ensure that pensioners’ welfare and interest was jealously defended.
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He denounced the position of the protesting faction led by its chairman, Omoniyi Ilesanmi, who claimed that pensioners were still owed up to May.
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Adelugba noted that the conference became necessary to let members of the public know the group’s position on the demonstration and the lies peddled by the Ilesami-led 2011/2012 Forum of Retirees.
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“The Triangular Group of Pensioners are bona fide members of the NUP in the State of Osun who believe in peace, dialogue and the welfare of pensioners and has been doing everything possible to ensure that pensioners’ welfare and interest is jealously guarded.

“It is, therefore, sad to see a faction of the retirees who took to the streets to demand payment of pensions arrears and gratuities.

“While we believe in the right to peaceful demonstration and unbiased demands from government, we condemned in its entirely.

“We, therefore, disassociate our group from the unwarranted demonstration which we believe is politically motivated to execute the plans of some politicians,” he alleged.