Gov. Okpebholo’s ₦4.6bn Payment Restores Hope to 714 Disengaged Edo Workers

By De-patriot

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has flagged off the long-awaited payment of benefits to staff of state-owned tertiary institutions who were disengaged under the previous administration.

With this decisive move, the Governor has approved the release of ₦4.6 billion for the settlement of entitlements owed to 714 former staff and retirees of the Colleges of Education in Ekiadolor and Igueben.

Out of this amount, the first tranche of ₦1.16 billion has already been disbursed, covering 682 pensioners from Ekiadolor and 32 pensioners from Igueben, in line with the provisions of Nigeria’s Pension Act.

In a further show of commitment to fairness and social justice, Governor Okpebholo has also ordered the immediate release of an additional ₦292 million as the second tranche of entitlements to staff disengaged from the Colleges of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and Agenebode. Payments are scheduled to be completed on or before Wednesday this week.

With these payments, the administration has so far disbursed ₦1.4 billion across four state-owned colleges, providing long-awaited relief for hundreds of families who had endured years of neglect.

Governor Okpebholo described the intervention as part of his administration’s broader reforms to reposition Edo’s education sector and restore dignity to those who had dedicated their service to the State.

“This government will not abandon those who labored for Edo. We are committed to equity, compassion, and justice in all our policies,” the Governor assured.

The payment brings relief to hundreds of families and reaffirms the State Government’s resolve to prioritize the welfare of citizens who have dedicated their years of service to the growth of Edo State. This bold action by the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration is a continuation of the Government’s reform drive to reposition the education sector.

The State Government further reassured disengaged staff and pensioners across all institutions that the settlement process will be sustained until every legitimate entitlement is fully paid.