By Muhyideen Jimoh
The Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, says retiring State House staff are among the first set of federal civil servants to benefit from the newly approved gratuity scheme introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Fashedemi spoke on Thursday in Abuja at a send-off ceremony organised by the State House for two retiring directors and two deputy directors.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations, State House.
Fashedemi commended Tinubu for approving the reintroduction of gratuity payments for retiring federal civil servants in addition to pensions and other retirement benefits.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in March approved the gratuity scheme under which officers who have served for at least 10 years will receive a gratuity equivalent to one year’s basic salary upon retirement, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
The scheme complements the Contributory Pension Scheme introduced in 2004 and followed recommendations by an inter-ministerial technical committee set up by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to Fashedemi, the policy is designed to ensure that public servants who dedicate decades of service to the nation receive adequate recognition and support at retirement.
“Mr President approved the introduction of gratuity for retiring civil servants, and some of you are among the first set of civil servants that will benefit from it,” he told the retirees.
He described retirement after 35 years of service or attainment of 60 years of age as a significant milestone deserving recognition and celebration.
“We take it that when people work hard for government and put in all these years of service, they need to be recognised and celebrated.”
Fashedemi added that the Federal Government remained committed to staff welfare under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25).
He noted that the State House had institutionalised programmes to recognise outstanding officers during active service and at retirement.
He also commended the retirees for their professionalism, integrity and commitment to duty.
“It is not easy to do all this work and retire peacefully. All of you have successfully achieved that, and it is no mean feat,” Fashedemi said.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Ibrahim Kana, praised the retirees for their dedication to work.
Former Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr Nnamdi Mbaeri, also stressed the importance of dedication and hard work.
Earlier, the Director of Administration, State House, Alhaji Abdulkadir Idris, described the occasion as a celebration of officers who had rendered meritorious service to Nigeria and wished them success in retirement.
The retirees honoured at the ceremony were Mr Francis Wasa, Director of ICT; Mrs Adenike Akintola, Director of Internal Audit; and Mr Esiyede Godwin, Deputy Director, Library and Archives.
Another retired Deputy Director from Finance and Accounts, Bukar Usman Goni, who was absent, was also recognised.
Responding on behalf of the retirees, Wasa thanked the State House management for the honour and prayed for serving officers to enjoy successful careers and retire in good health and fulfilment.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
