The Osun State Government has approved the payment of ₦204,275,209.80 as death benefits to the families and next of kin of civil servants who lost their lives while in active service.
Governor Ademola Adeleke announced the approval in Osogbo, where the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, represented him during the cheque presentation ceremony to beneficiaries.
According to a government statement posted on its official X handle on Monday, the total sum includes ₦125,631,083.45 for state-level beneficiaries and ₦78,644,126.35 for families of local government workers.
Speaking through the Head of Service, Governor Adeleke reiterated his administration’s dedication to workers’ welfare despite economic constraints.
He maintained that the wellbeing of workers and retirees remains central to his administration’s agenda, stressing that the government would continue to honour its obligations.
The governor noted that his campaign promise to prioritise workers and pensioners had been challenged by critics, but insisted that his administration was gradually fulfilling its commitments.
He further disclosed that since assuming office in 2023, the state had expended ₦882,752,717.50 on death benefits covering 184 beneficiaries across the public service.
Adeleke also revealed that under the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, the government had released ₦1,866,719,123.15 to settle outstanding claims involving 563 beneficiaries, spanning September 2013 to August 2023.
He explained that the Group Life Assurance Policy under the Contributory Pension Scheme was designed to provide financial relief to families of workers who die in service.
The governor, however, faulted the previous administration for failing to meet insurance obligations, describing the neglect of such payments as unacceptable and unjust to affected families.
He assured that his government would continue to prioritise prompt payment of legitimate entitlements to workers and pensioners in the state.