25th January, 2017
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, reassured kinsmen of any deceased employee of the state, to be rest assured of prompt payment of death benefits, as soon as proper documentation were completed.
Ambode spoke through the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Education District 1, Dr Olufolayimika Ayandele, at the “Sensitisation Programme for Beneficiaries of Deceased Staff of Education 1, Agege”.
The governor reassured workers that their welfare was paramount to his administration.
According to him, this is a mandate of the Lagos State Government, and we need to sensitise our people so that they can access the benefits accruable to their loved ones who died in active service.”
“Insurance benefits is one of the programmes that all the employees must be aware of, they need to know how to access it whether dead or alive.
“This government has done a lot to improve the health condition of workers, it is left for them to avail themselves of the available opportunities,” the governor said.
He told the workers that, “We want everybody alive, so more efforts is being put into ensuring a healthy workforce., peradventure, nature takes it course, hope is not lost.
“Even while dead, family members of the deceased employees should enjoy the benefits of their loved ones and the state government is ready to ensure this,” he added.
The governor said that next-of-kins could now access death benefits as well as benefits accruable to workers with permanent disabilities in 30 work days, as soon as necessary documentations were completed.
Ambode, who empathised with the families of the deceased workers, said the departed had rendered meritorious service to the state and should be honoured even in death.
Mr Tunde Sanda, General Manager Cosmic Insurance Broker said beneficiaries’ early notification of the death and documentation would aid speedy access to the benefits.
Sanda said that beneficiaries would need the National Population Commission’s death certificate and medical cause of death reports among some other things to ease access to the benefits.
Mr Bode Akintunde, Director, Lagos State Ministry of Finance lauded the efforts of the government, saying that the government had appointed brokers to facilitate early claim of benefits.
Akintunde, who represented the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade, urged kinsmen of the deceased employee to cultivate habits of the early report of death starting from the primary point of duty of the deceased.
Also speaking, Mr Segun Osifeko, Director, Administration and Human Resources in the district, said that the beneficiaries should assist the government by promptly reporting such mishap to avoid delay.
He said a situation whereby some employees had died four or five years without anyone coming to claim benefits, should no longer be tolerated.
Osifeko, who urged the people to stop blaming the government, said that the government had assigned 15 insurance brokers to the district alone to speed up the process.
Mr Ojo Samuel, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, commended the government for the initiative, stressing that it will reduce difficulties faced by kinsmen of dead colleagues in accessing death benefits.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Rahmon Anifowose, commended the government for its interests in the families of dead workers of the state.
Also, Mr Olusola Kupoluyi husband of one deceased staff described the sensitisation programme as one that is expected to eliminate hurdles next-of-kins face trying to get benefits of their loved ones.
Kupoluyi said, “This is a new beginning. We thank God for everything. It is the first time government is remembering the dead.”
The district recorded 26 death of employees in 2015, while it recorded 18 in 2016.
Cash gifts were later given to the beneficiaries of the 18 deaths recorded in 2016 to assist them in processing the death benefits of loved ones.