Lagos State Government has disbursed N364,982 as insurance benefits to the relatives of deceased staff of Local Government and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed, while presenting the insurance benefits to 159 members of the family of late employees of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, LASUBEB and Local Government Service Commission, in Alausa, Ikeja, at the weekend, said, the payment was In line with its total commitment to continually uplift the welfare of its staff.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Morenike Sanyaolu,, stated that the payment of insurance benefits was one of several welfare packages of the state government for its workforce.
He stated that the State Government recognises its workforce as the engine room and drivers of all its policies, stressing that the contribution of every employee of the state government was germane to achieving the greater Lagos initiative.
Ahmed, therefore, charged the beneficiaries to honour the deceased members of staff by ensuring that the benefits collected are wisely invested to cater for the family members of the deceased, adding that the beneficiaries should keep the dreams and visions of their beloved deceased alive by ensuring that the premium is beneficial to the dependants so they could grow to become respectable citizens of our society, urging them to restrain themselves from spending the claims on frivolity.
Managing Director, LASACO Assurance PLC, Mr Rasaq Abiodun commended the good gesture of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the consistent payment of insurance benefits to its employees, adding that the gesture has helped in actualising the aspirations of the families and dependents of some government officials who died in the course of their career in the State Public Service.
He added that LASACO had been paying the insurance premium benefits to the families of deceased Local Government Councils and State Universal Basic Educational Board Staff since 2009 as a result of prompt payment of premium by the state government to LASACO.
Chairman of SUBEB, Wahab Alawiye King represented by Mrs Adenike Odusanya, said that the presentation was meant to honour the departed souls who had worked tirelessly to make Lagos State a better place for the living.
King affirmed that the presentation of insurance benefits to the beneficiaries of the deceased further demonstrated the State Government’s resolve to pay all entitlements and dues to its staff.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the payment to the benefit of deceased dependants.
The Managing Director of Haggai Insurance, Mr Segun Amure commended the State Government for its prompt payment of premium claims to families of primary school teachers, adding that the payment by the state government consistently had ensured that the dependants left behind would not suffer.
According to him, “As far as I know with payment of premium to beneficiaries of the deceased, it is only the Lagos State Government in the federation that has been consistent with this scheme”, he said.
Earlier, the Director for Local Government Administration, Mr Razak Amodu counselled the beneficiaries to be truthful, and pay particular attention to the needs and education of deceased children, stressing that, their deaths must not be in vain.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dr Akpezi Etobro praised the State Government for its benevolence.
On behalf of others, Etobro promised that they would all use the payment for the dependants’ welfare and progress in life.
