Retired journalists and other staff members of the Ondo State government-owned company, Owena Press Limited have asked Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to pay up their outstanding gratuities of over 12 years.

The retirees lamented that there was nothing merry in the ongoing festive season, noting that many of their members were wallowing in penury and battling age-related illnesses.

They explained that about six of their members had died of sicknesses that were treatable if money was available.
This was made known on Wednesday in statement by the Chairman of the Forum of Retired Staff of Owena Press, Mr Banji Ayoola, stressing that the non-payment of gratuity had turned many of them into beggars in their old age.

Ayoola, who retired as an editor, said the health challenges of members of the forum had worsened over the years.

He said, “It is sad and saddening that there is nothing merry in the ongoing festive season for our members, many of who are wallowing in penury and battling age-related illnesses.

“It is sad that many of those who faithfully and meritoriously served the government and people of Ondo State in their productive years are now left to the vagaries of life in the evening of their lives.

“I can tell you that about six of our members have died of sicknesses that are easily treated if money had been available, while some are bed-ridden and unable to help themselves.

“Many have resorted to selling off landed and other properties in order to keep body and soul together, while others who have little or nothing to fall back on have been reduced to the indignity of begging.

“Our hope was raised when the governor promised to offset gratuities and pensions from the recent bailout, but it now seem that our hope was misplaced.

“We are, once again, appealing to the government to help us and bail us out of penury and wasting away alive. Our case is especially pathetic as staffers of the organisation are not entitled to pensions; all they get is the gratuity which has now gone unpaid for over a decade.”