‘The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain’, says a line of the Nigerian National Anthem to underscore the importance of ensuring that what is due to deserving Nigerians is enjoyed by them or their families. This is what the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) did with the payment of over N200m to families of personnel who died in the course of active service to the nation.
In a press statement e-signed and released to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP by the NSCDC Spokesperson, DCC Olusola Odumosu stated that, “In fulfilment of the Commandant General’s promise to prioritize the welfare of the personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), over N200m was paid to families of personnel who died in the course of active service to the nation.”
In a brief ceremony at the Corps National headquarters, Abuja, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Abubakar Ahmed Audi demonstrated that he prioritizes the welfare of the personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), NAOSNP can report. He noted that the workforce must be cared for adequately in order to achieve results on set goals.
The operatives recognized were just a few amongst the backlogs recorded by the Corps, ‘chief among the priorities of my administration is to improve welfare of personnel and one of such efforts is geared towards remembering our colleagues who served meritoriously and paid the supreme sacrifice in the process, leaving their families behind. We will continue to make serious efforts to encourage staff to put in their best while still in active service, we will work alongside the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to ensure the payment of others on the waiting list’.
The CG congratulated the beneficiaries and charged them as next of kin to make judicious use of the money received to better the lives of the deceased immediate family, so that, the death of their loved ones would not be in vain. For families who have yet to get their deceased entitlements, he said: ‘If you didn’t hear the names of your persons, don’t feel left out because we have a huge backlog and we are trying to see how it could be sorted out in due time’ while noting that he inherited a backlog of arrears of death benefits when he was appointed as the Commandant General of the agency.
He charged the Head of Insurance Unit of the Corps to rise to the challenge of pushing for insurance of dead officers as at when due to avoid delay, NAOSNP can report.
CG Audi used the opportunity to thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Head of Service for attending to the needs of the Corps by ensuring that the pain and suffering of dependants left behind by deceased personnel are alleviated.
The representative of the Head of Service, Abubakar Mai jam’ah assured the Corps of their continuous support and partnership, stating that all outstanding allowances would be paid as soon as funds are made available by the Ministry of Finance .
Speaking on behalf of the recipients Okeji Olusegun Ojo, thanked the Commandant General and his management team for recognizing their sufferings since the demise of their loved ones and ensuring they get their benefits after such a long time. He said it is a laudable achievement and would remain fresh and indelible in their memories for a long time.
