Undoubtedly, the number one tag of the Lagos State Education District 1, Agege goes beyond mere nomenclature, the District under the leadership of TGPS/Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yinka Ayandele, has over years proven beyond reasonable doubt to be moving ahead of her contemporaries in unfolding epoch events.
The district took another first recently, spearheading the state’s sensitisation programme for the kinsmen of staff who lost their lives while in active service in the year 2016. The programme was part of the resolve of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode that all death benefits accrued to any deceased employee of the state is duly and promptly paid to their next-of-kin.
Not less than 14 beneficiaries out of the 18 deceased staff recorded by District 1 in 2016 attended the unprecedented event tagged; “Sensitisation Programme for Beneficiaries of Deceased Staff of Education District 1, Agege”, held at the district’s secretariat in Agege.
Delivering Governor Akinwunmi Ambode message to the beneficiaries, Dr. Ayandele reiterated the state government’s commitment to take staff welfare sacrosanct whether alive or otherwise. An emotional Ayandele was closed to tears while informing the gathering that the sensitization is to give valuable information to the deceased families on how to approach documentation for the LASG insurance welfare scheme for deceased staff.
Shortly before her speech, special prayers and a minute silence were rendered in honour of the deceased staff. It was an highly emotional moment for the entire gathering most especially the beneficiaries who marveled at how much their deceased loved ones are appreciated by the district even in death.
Expressing her concern and sympathy for the deceased families, Dr. Ayandele eulogised the deceased staff of the District saying they had worked meritoriously and contributed immensely to the growth of education in Lagos, hence the government's resolve to alleviate the burden that their losses would have placed on their families.
While explaining all the documentation processes involved before claiming the insurance death benefits, GM Cosmic Insurance Broker, Mr. Tunde Sanda stated that the beneficiaries must provide the deceased appointment letter, confirmation of appointment letter, Medical certificate of cause of death, death certificate from the National Population Commission, Obituary poster amongst others. Mr. Sanda assured the beneficiaries that the documentation should be processed and sent to their office for claim of benefits within 30 work days.
Representative of Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Olabode Akintunde revealed that the state government has set aside huge amount of money as death benefits in case of any occurrence, adding that ministry of finance is fully ready to assist the beneficiaries with verifiable documents. He stressed that he had never attended this kind of event with such magnitude and importance before while appreciating Dr. Ayandele's foresight for initiating the sensitisation.
On his part, Mr Segun Osifako, Director, Administration and Human Resources in the district, who spoke in the capacity of Dr. Ayandele, lamented the demise of the district’s staff. He however urged people to be very proactive whenever nature takes its course in this regard by assisting the district through swift submission of necessary documents after the death of any staff for instant processing and claim of the deceased benefits.
Mr Ojo Samuel, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, commended the government for the initiative, stressing that it will reduce difficulties faced by kinsmen of dead colleagues in accessing death benefits. One of the beneficiaries, Miss Sholanke Moyosore couldn't hide her mixed feelings while speaking to AgegePulse. She said; "as a teenager, this sensitisation is most important to me because prior to now, I didn't know where to go regarding my late father's benefits. Today is highly emotional for me. I have always looked forward to accessing my daddy's benefits from the government but I don’t know how to go about it. I am very delighted for this opportunity.
The sensitization will go a long way to help next-of-kins access those lying down benefits for the deceased. I Thank Governor Ambode and I appreciate the TGPS for her inestimable motherly care, impressive dispositions, a role model, a leader, mentor and God sent".
Other beneficiaries present at the event include Mr. Akeem Kayode Isiaka, Alhaja Akintunde Lateef, Mr. Adebayo Adekunle, Mr. Kupoluyi E.O, Mr. Anifowoshe Rahman O, Mr. Beckley Babatunde, Sholanke Moyosore O, Mr. Amadi Felix Uche, Olajire Dare and Mr. Fadogba Oluwadare.
NUT Chairman, Agege, Comrade Popoola Amos, NUT Chairman Alimosho, Comrade Ogunwomoju Olusesan, Chairman, ANCOPPS Ifako-Ijaye Zone, Mrs. Alabi Folashade among others were some of the Dignitaries who marked attendance at the event.
Dr. Ayandele later presented cash gift to the beneficiaries of the 18 deaths recorded in 2016 to assist them in processing the death benefits of their loved ones from the state.
