BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government has presented cheques totalling ₦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, as part of its commitment to workers’ welfare under Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The cheques, presented at the Office of the Head of Service, were disbursed in line with the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) Law 2010 (as amended) and Section 8(1) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, which mandate the payment of three times the annual salary of a deceased employee as the first component of death benefits.
Permanent Secretary, Edo State Pension Bureau, Mr. Washington Abbe, explained that the payment represented the first of three entitlements due to beneficiaries, with others including the 8% and 10% employer/employee contributions with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), as well as accrued rights for those who had served at least five years before the CPS began.
Abbe urged beneficiaries, especially caretakers of minors, to use the funds judiciously.
“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 to use this money wisely, so that when these children grow, they will not regret how their entitlements were managed,” he said.
He also cautioned against disputes, stressing that “the fact that you were chosen as a beneficiary does not mean the money is entirely yours. Carry your siblings along; peace in the family is more valuable than any sum.”
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Onokpikini Courage expressed appreciation to the state government for prioritising workers’ welfare.
“We thank the Edo State Government, particularly the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, for this show of compassion.
“This initiative proves that the government has the welfare of workers and their families at heart,” he said.
Beneficiaries included: Godswill Itohanmwen (late Itohanmwen Eseosa Method, Edo State House of Assembly); Lato Kingsley Alphonsus (late Lato Vbenosawemwinghaye, Edo State Traffic Control and Management Agency); Kate Yusuf and Jim Momoh (late Momoh Sanusi Alahaji, Edo State High Court); Isenalumhe Alex Ogbowho (late Isenalumhe Munirat, Edo State High Court); Onokpikini Courage (late Gray Ukueyinden Precious, Edo State Sports Commission); Aibomosi Efe Rosemary (late Aibomosi Emmanuel, Edo State Sports Commission); Okorie Catherine (late Osimen Fidelia, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency); Isah Imonofi Abdulrazak (late Aniyu Isah Imonofi, Post Primary Education Board); Osinachi Glory Nkemjika (late Okeh Edith Prisca, Hospital Management Agency); Itohan Festus (late Iregbe Isaac, Edo State High Court); Osazuwa Amenze Sarah (late Raphael Osazuwa, Edo State High Court); and Iyoha Precious Oselumenose (late Joy Afekelu Iyoha, SUBEB).
