As part of the Sen. Monday Okpebholo-led administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, the Edo State Government has presented a total of ₦47,881,801.08 (forty-seven million, eight hundred and eighty-one thousand, eight hundred and one Naira, eight Kobo) to twelve families of deceased employees.
The cheque presentation, which took place at the Office of the Head of Service, was made under the provisions of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) Law 2010 (as amended) and Section 8(1) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014, which mandates the payment of three times the annual salary of a deceased employee as the first component of death benefits.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Edo State Pension Bureau, Mr. Washington Abbe explained that the payment to families represented the first of three components of entitlements due to beneficiaries, adding that the subsequent payments included the 8% and 10% employer/employee contributions domiciled with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), as well as accrued rights for employees who had served the State for at least five years prior to the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Mr. Abbe urged beneficiaries, particularly caretakers of minors, to use the funds judiciously for the long-term benefit of the children left behind.
“The reason you were chosen as beneficiaries is to ensure that life can go on for your families after the painful loss of your loved ones. I appeal to you, especially those caring for minors, to use this money judiciously. When these children grow, they should not regret how their entitlements were managed on their behalf”. He advised.
The Permanent Secretary further appealed for unity among siblings and family members, stressing that the funds should not become a source of conflict.
“The fact that you were chosen as a beneficiary does not mean the money is entirely yours. Carry your siblings along. No money is too small to share and peace in the family is more valuable than any sum. The greatest thing a man does on earth is to show love”. He concluded.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Onokpikini Courage appreciated Edo State Government for prioritizing the welfare of its workforce even in death.
“On behalf of all beneficiaries, I want to thank the Edo State Government, particularly the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, for this show of compassion. We are grateful and we hope this government continues this initiative, which proves it has the welfare of workers and their families at heart”. He said.
The benefactors and beneficiaries included, Itohanmwen Eseosa Method of the Edo State House of Assembly, whose beneficiary is Godswill Itohanmwen; Lato Vbenosawemwinghaye of the Edo State Traffic Control and Management Agency, whose beneficiary is Lato Kingsley Alphonsus, Momoh Sanusi Alahaji of the Edo State High Court, whose beneficiaries are Kate Yusuf and Jim Momoh, Isenalumhe Munirat of the Edo State High Court, whose beneficiary is Isenalumhe Alex Ogbowho, Gray Ukueyinden Precious of Edo State Sports Commission, whose beneficiary is Onokpikini Courage, Aibomosi Emmanuel of Edo State Sports Commission, whose beneficiary is Aibomosi Efe Rosemary, Osimen Fidelia of Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, whose beneficiary is Okorie Catherine, Aniyu Isah Imonofi of Post Primary Education Board, whose beneficiary is Isah Imonofi Abdulrazak, Okeh Edith Prisca of the Hospital Management Agency, whose beneficiary is Osinachi Glory Nkemjika, Iregbe Isaac of the Edo State High Court, whose beneficiary is Itohan Festus, Raphael Osazuwa of the Edo State High Court, whose beneficiary is Osazuwa Amenze Sarah, Joy Afekelu Iyoha of the State Universal Basic Education Board, whose beneficiary is Iyoha Precious Oselumenose.
Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
Public Relations Officer
Office of the Head of Service
Edo State
PHOTO CAPTION
7th Left: Mr. Washington Abbe, Permanent Secretary, Pension Bureau amongst beneficiaries of deceased employees.
