GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO PRESENTS N200M TO FAMILIES OF DECEASED EDO WORKERS, AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has presented cheques totalling over Two Hundred Million Naira to forty-seven families of deceased civil servants in the state. The Governor also awarded educational scholarships to one member from each of the bereaved families. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, confirmed this in a statement detailing the event held at the Government House in Benin City.

Governor Okpebholo explained that the initiative, under the state’s Group Life Insurance Scheme with Tangerine Life Insurance, was driven by humanity and a sense of responsibility. “It is not just about insurance. It is about goodness. The important thing is that you receive your entitlements because of the painful loss you have suffered. Today, we are supporting you further by giving scholarships to one member of each family. This is our way of ensuring you are not left behind,” the Governor said. Itua noted the Governor commended Tangerine Life Insurance for their efficiency, which has positioned Edo as a leader in pension and insurance reforms.

The Managing Director of Tangerine Life Insurance, Mr. Kehinde Borisade, praised the Governor’s leadership. “In implementing the Pension and Insurance Acts, Edo State stands out as one of the leading states, if not the leading state. Your Excellency has shown rare leadership by caring not only for active workers, but also for the families of those who have passed on. Few states in Nigeria do this,” Borisade said. He confirmed the company paid over ₦200 million to the forty-seven families this year alone.

In a related development, Itua reported that Governor Okpebholo commissioned five new vehicles donated to the Nigeria Correctional Service, Edo Command, to facilitate the movement of inmates to court. Commissioning the vehicles, the Governor stated, “If inmates cannot get to court, they cannot get justice. This is why we responded immediately. The correctional center belongs to all of us, and governance must protect the rights of every individual.” The Controller of the Edo Command, Sunday Oyakhire, received the vehicles with gratitude. Fred Itua concluded that the day’s events highlighted the administration’s focus on welfare, compassion, and institutional strengthening.