Nigerian gov disburses N250m grants to 500 retirees

The Cross River State Government has disbursed ₦250 million in self-enhancement entrepreneurial grants to 500 retirees from the state civil service, as part of efforts to empower former workers and promote financial independence post-retirement.

Each beneficiary received ₦500,000, with the funds specifically aimed at helping retirees start sustainable business ventures to supplement their monthly pensions.

Speaking during the presentation of cheques, Governor Bassey Otu emphasized that the grant was not intended for daily upkeep, but to boost economic engagement among the beneficiaries.

Represented at the occasion by his deputy Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, the governor charged the beneficiaries to see the gesture as an opportunity to embark on self-sustaining business ventures to complement their monthly pensions.

The governor also announced plans to present a bill to the state House of Assembly for the establishment of Senior Citizens Development Centres in Calabar, Ikom and Ogoja local government areas, to sustain the programme.

He charged them to ensure that the grant is put to judicious use, stressing that the N500,000 grant per beneficiary was capable of taking care of a small business that would keep them busy instead of remaining idle while awaiting payment of pension.

A beneficiary who retired from the state fire service, Madam Ako Essien praised the state governor for his love and compassion to them.

Essien pointed out that beneficiaries were initially skeptical about the sincerity of government to extend such gesture to them when enrolled for the three months training.

She explained that while waiting for the grant after the training programme, she carried out a business survey and decided to set up a poultry feed shop.