The Lagos State government and LASACO Insurance PLC on Wednesday presented insurance benefits worth N261,119,000 to 112 beneficiaries of deceased public servants who died while in active service of the State.
Addressing the beneficiaries during the presentation at Alausa, Ikeja, the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola represented by the Permanent Secretary Public Service Office, Mr. Samson Ajibade stated that the payment of death benefits to the families of deceased members of staff is neither a favour nor a largesse but a responsibility and obligation of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Muri-Okunola reiterated that the primary objective of the payment of insurance death benefits is essential to provide succour for the immediate families, dependants and other beneficiaries of the deceased.
In his words, “It is the hope and expectation of government that the immediate needs of feeding, clothing, school fees, house rent, transportation, medicals and general family wellbeing would be substantially addressed (even if not totally) in the period between the demise of the family’s breadwinner, the release of his entitlements and the institution of more permanent support structures by friends, family members and well-wishers”.
He also expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for the release of the funds as well as his demonstrated commitment to the wellbeing of members of staff.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Funmilayo Balogun explained that the highest beneficiaries would be presented with N9,720,000 cheque and the lowest recipient N260,000 depending on the cadre of the deceased person, imploring the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously.
She said that the State Governor had further demonstrated the fact that governance in the State is a continuum for granting approval for the payment a few weeks into his administration.
The Deputy Managing Director of LASACO, Mr. Razaq Abiodun commended the State government for always taking care of its employees without exempting those that have served and died while in active service.
He stated that the exercise was deliberately scheduled towards the end of the school session to enable payments of the school fees of dependants of the deceased.
He added that the payment was made possible due to the prompt and consistent payment of insurance premiums by the state government.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Esther Modupe Olowookere thanked the State government for implementing the death insurance benefits but, however, appealed for more support in the area of capacity building on how to invest the money wisely.
She also advised other beneficiaries to be very prudent with the management and investment of the benefit which according to her was the only way of avoiding a double tragedy.
