By joshua 
CSO Calls on Gov. Ododo to Resolve Retirees’ Gratuity Crisis
A civil society organisation, Kogi Good Governance Advancement Initiative (KGGAI), has called on Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, to urgently address the long-standing non-payment of gratuities owed to retired civil servants in the state.
The call is contained in an open letter released on Monday, in which the group described the situation as a humanitarian and moral crisis, warning that thousands of retirees have been pushed into poverty, ill-health and despair due to years of unpaid entitlements.
While acknowledging that the gratuity liabilities predate the Ododo administration, KGGAI said the governor now has a historic opportunity to end what it described as one of the most dehumanising legacies in Kogi State’s public service history.
“This is not merely a letter; it is a cry from the depths of despair of those whose voices are rarely heard,” the group stated, adding that prolonged silence by successive governments has created an impression of indifference to the suffering of retirees.
According to the organisation, gratuities meant to serve as financial support after retirement have instead become an unfulfilled promise for many former public servants.
“For workers who devoted their most productive years to the service of the state, retirement should be a period of dignity and rest. Instead, it has become an extended season of hopelessness,” the letter said.
The group alleged that many retirees have exhausted their personal savings, are unable to afford basic medical care, and have watched family plans collapse while waiting endlessly for their benefits. It further claimed that some retirees died without receiving their gratuities, leaving their families in severe financial distress.
KGGAI also raised alarm over the plight of retired judges in Kogi State, describing their situation as morally indefensible. It noted that in many states across the country, retired judicial officers receive their benefits promptly in recognition of the judiciary’s role in upholding democracy. In contrast, it alleged that retired judges in Kogi are subjected to financial hardship, despite ethical and legal restrictions that prevent them from returning to legal practice or engaging in public protest.
“When the custodians of justice are abandoned, it sends a chilling message that no one is safe,” the group warned, stressing that the dignified silence of retired jurists should not be mistaken for comfort or acceptance.
To strengthen its appeal, the organisation cited recent efforts by several states, including Bayelsa, Imo, Kwara, Yobe, Plateau and Edo, which it said have paid or approved the release of billions of naira to clear outstanding pension and gratuity arrears. According to KGGAI, these examples demonstrate that settling gratuity backlogs is achievable with political will and sound fiscal prioritisation.
In its concluding remarks, the group urged Governor Ododo to move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate compassion through decisive action.
“The time for excuses is long past,” the letter stated, describing unpaid gratuities as a “monster” that has consumed lives, dignity and hope in Kogi State.
KGGAI stressed that retirees are not asking for charity but for justice, urging the governor to seize the moment to restore confidence in governance.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Government had not issued an official response to the open letter.