Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi will on Friday flag off the second phase of the state’s Social Security Benefits Scheme for elderly citizens with the injection of an additional 5,000 beneficiaries to the scheme.
This is part of activities marking the second anniversary of the scheme which is considered the first of its kind in Sub- Sahara Africa.
Governor Fayemi had on October 25th, 2011 flagged off the social security scheme with 10,000 beneficiaries. The number of beneficiaries was later increased to 20,000, and each beneficiary- registered elders who are 65 years and above- receive N5,000 monthly stipends.
From inception of the scheme in 2011 till date the state has spent over N2 billion on the monthly stipends for the qualified elderly citizens, who receive their payment at designated pay points in their localities under the supervision of officials of the Ministry of Labour, productivity and Human Capital Development.
Governor Fayemi says the injection of additional 5,000 beneficiaries to the scheme is in line with the decision of the administration to expand the scope of the scheme and cater for more indigent elderly citizens in the state.
In the bid to ensure the sustainability of the scheme which is popularly referred to as “Owo Fayemi”, the State House of Assembly had also enacted a law backing the scheme.
Last modified: October 24, 2013