By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ogun State Council, has appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to extend the 2025 end-of-year bonus approved for active civil servants to retirees in the state.

The appeal was contained in a letter jointly signed by the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Alhaji (Chief) W.O. Oloyede, and the State Secretary, Comrade (Dr) Bola Lawal, J.P., and addressed to the governor through the Head of Service.

In the letter, the pensioners congratulated Governor Abiodun on what they described as the “first of its kind” graceful celebration of the 2025 Christmas Carol Service held on December 18, as well as the peaceful Christmas Day celebration across Ogun State. They prayed for continued good health, wisdom and longevity for the governor.

The union also expressed deep appreciation to the governor for approving the early payment of December pensions, which commenced between December 21 and 22, noting that the gesture enabled retirees to celebrate Christmas, even if modestly.

While commending the governor for the provision of what they described as a “bountiful end of year bonus” to Ogun State workers across categories, the pensioners described the initiative as a proactive and motivating gesture that reflects the governor’s caring and compassionate leadership.

The NUP, however, passionately appealed to the governor to extend the same benevolence to retirees, particularly aged and vulnerable senior citizens, in the spirit of the Yuletide and the approaching New Year, so they could also partake in the joy of the season alongside serving workers.

The union expressed optimism that the governor would give favourable consideration to the request, reaffirming its confidence in his leadership philosophy of collective progress, encapsulated in the maxim “Igbega Ipinle Ogun, Ajose Gbogbo Wa Ni.”

The letter concluded with prayers and goodwill messages to Governor Abiodun ahead of the 2026 New Year, while assuring him of the pensioners’ highest regards.