ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the release of ₦204,275,209.80 to the families of civil servants who died while in active service in Osun State, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and pensioners.
The disbursement was made in Osogbo, where the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, represented the governor at the cheque presentation ceremony.
According to a post by the state government on its X handle on Monday, ₦125,631,083.45 was allocated to beneficiaries at the state level, while ₦78,644,126.35 went to those at the local government level.
Addressing the beneficiaries through the Head of Service, Adeleke said his administration remained committed to workers welfare despite prevailing financial constraints.
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“My commitment to workers’ and pensioners’ welfare remains unshaken despite the financial challenges facing the state,” the governor said.
He added that the welfare of workers and retirees remained central to his administration’s Five-Point Action Plan, noting that significant progress had been recorded.
“When we stated clearly in our Five-Point Action Plan our desire to make the welfare of the workforce and pensioners our number one priority, our detractors made jest of us, describing the pledge as an impossibility.
Today, to the glory of God, we have made significant progress as a talk-and-do administration,” Adeleke stated.
The governor said that since 2023, his administration had paid ₦882,752,717.50 in death benefits to 184 beneficiaries across the state’s public service.
He also disclosed that under the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, ₦1,866,719,123.15 had been released to settle outstanding claims involving 563 beneficiaries covering September 2013 to August 1, 2023.
Explaining the scheme, Adeleke said the Group Life Assurance Policy under the Contributory Pension Scheme was established to provide financial support to families of workers who die in service.
“The Group Life Assurance Policy under the Contributory Pension Scheme is designed to cater for death-in-service benefits for Osun State workers,” he said.
The governor criticised the previous administration for failing to adequately address outstanding insurance and death benefit obligations, describing such lapses as “inhumane and uncharitable.”
He also alleged irregularities in the payment of insurance premiums meant to support settlement of beneficiaries’ claims.
Adeleke assured workers and pensioners that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare and ensure prompt payment of legitimate entitlements.