A civil society organisation, Kogi Good Governance Advancement Initiative (KGGAI), has appealed to 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 appeal is contained in an open letter made public 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, worsening health conditions and despair due to years of unpaid entitlements.
While acknowledging that the gratuity liabilities predate the Ododo administration, KGGAI said the governor 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 continued silence by successive governments has created an impression of indifference to the plight of retirees.
According to the organisation, gratuities meant to provide financial stability 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, cannot afford basic healthcare, and have seen family plans collapse while waiting endlessly for their benefits. It further claimed that some retirees died without receiving their gratuities, leaving their families in serious financial distress.
The organisation also raised concern over the plight of retired judges in Kogi State, describing their situation as morally indefensible. It noted that in many parts of 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 continue to face 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 reinforce its appeal, KGGAI cited recent actions 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 pension and gratuity arrears. According to the group, these examples demonstrate that settling gratuity backlogs is achievable with political will and sound fiscal prioritisation.
In its concluding remarks, the organisation urged Governor Ododo to move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate compassion through concrete 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.
