Press Releases

We’Ve Taken Boldest Step To Secure Future Of Public Servants – Fashola

Apr 20, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday inaugurated the State Pensions Commission with an assertion that his administration has taken the boldest step to secure the future of public servants in the state with the body.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the inauguration of the Commission held at the State House Alausa, Ikeja also appealed to all public servants to provide their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) which would enable the system function effectively.

Governor Fashola said he has received several reports that some public servants have not provided information about their PIN, stressing that remittance can only be credited based on individual PINs supplied.

He noted that the processes leading to the inauguration of the Commission started in 2006 with the enactment of a law on contributory pensions scheme by the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the appointment of Pension Fund administrators

Governor Fashola added that the state has also ensured a strict remittance of the contributory pensions both from salaries of public servants and obligations imposed by law on the state to also contribute 7.5 percent at both state and local government levels.

He described the inauguration of the Commission as representing a very important milestone in the Pensions Reform process of Lagos State adding that the members of the Commission have been chosen to bring their very rich integrity to the operations of the body.

The Lagos State Governor added that members of the commission have been selected in accordance with the enabling law in exercise of the discretion of the Governor and by virtue of statutory appointment by the law.

Governor Fashola also said members of the commission would bring their very high integrity to bear on the new job.

Responding, the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Babatunde Dabiri said the members appreciate the economic and social importance of the job which they have just been given by the Lagos State Government.

Mr. Dabiri said this is against the background that the members have been called upon to serve the government of the leading state in terms of governance in Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rotimi Oyekan said with the inauguration, all issues of Pensions in Lagos State would now be managed between the State Civil Service Pensions Office, Ministry of Establishment and the Pensions Commission serving as the clearing house.

Members of the Pensions Commission include the Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Dabiri, the Director General, Mr. Rotimi Hussain, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, Permanent Secretary Civil Service Pensions Office, Mrs. Rafeequat Onabamiro, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Seyi Williams, representative of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Chief Olu Ajayi, representative of the Local Government Service Pensions Office, Mrs Regina Obasa, Mr Adedoyin Adetoro, Mr Ade Kassim and Mrs. Rhoda Ayinde.

The event was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Sarah Adebisi Sosan and members of the State Executive Council including the Head of Service, Alhaji Yakub Balogun.