Adeleke clears N2.95bn death benefit claims for public servants’ next of kin

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Monday disbursed a total of N204,275,209.80 to the next of kin of public servants who died in active service and whose documentation had been completed by the Pension Office.

The disbursement comprised N125,631,083.45 for beneficiaries at the state level and N78,644,126.35 for beneficiaries at the local government level.

In a statement made available to journalists by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the administration said it had paid a total of N882,752,717.50 to 184 beneficiaries across the public service since 2023.

“Under the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, the administration has approved and released a total of N1,866,719,123.15, being outstanding claims for 563 beneficiaries covering the period from September 2013 to August 1, 2023,” the statement added.

Represented by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, Governor Adeleke said his administration remained committed to prioritising the welfare of workers and pensioners despite the financial challenges facing the state.

He noted that the Group Life Assurance Policy, provided for under the Contributory Pension Scheme, was designed to guarantee death-in-service benefits for workers, adding that his government had taken steps to address delays and administrative irregularities associated with the scheme.

The governor faulted the previous administration for allegedly condoning irregularities in the payment of premiums to insurance companies responsible for settling claims to beneficiaries. To address the challenges, Adeleke said his administration approved the engagement of VALANIS Insurance Brokers Ltd. as the lead broker, while Capital Express Assurance Plc was appointed as the lead insurance underwriter in August 2023.

“It is also heartwarming that the Insurance Company has added another package known as Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) to the Group Life Assurance Scheme for the state workforce, which is a free package. Under this package, each worker, regardless of grade level, is entitled to N1 million for the payment of medical expenses arising from accidents that result in bodily injuries,” he said.