By Adewole Kehinde
“‘We need to improve the welfare of our officers; we want a well-motivated workforce in the police,’ IGP Kayode Egbetokun
An insurance claim is a formal request by a policyholder to an insurance company for coverage or compensation for a covered loss or policy event. The insurance company validates the claim and, once approved, issues payment to the insured or an approved interested party on behalf of the insured.
The Nigeria Police Welfare Insurance Scheme is aimed at providing insurance cover for officers and men of the Nigeria Police.
The programme is designed to compensate members of the Force who might have suffered accidents, injuries, or death in the course of their official duty.
On July 14, 2023, as acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun presented cheques worth N535.6 million to 68 families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The IGP said the money was from the Group Life Insurance Policy for 2022–2023.
He said the money was also for officers who suffered permanent deformities in the course of duty.
IGP Egbetokun said the gesture was part of the passionate drive of the force for the welfare of police personnel and their families.
Also, on September 26, 2023, as acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun presented cheques totalling N1.3 billion to 420 families of police officers who died in active service.
Egbetokun said the cheques were for the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 policy years under the Group Life Assurance policy of the police.
He said the presentation also encompassed the IGP’s Family Welfare Insurance Scheme.
According to him, the Group Life Assurance Scheme is a welfare package established as a result of the amendment of the 2004 Pension Reform Act (2014).
On November 17, 2023, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, presented Settlement Group Life Assurance and IGP Family Welfare Scheme benefits, amounting to N2.276,110,966.80, to 613 families of police officers who died in active service.
The Life Assurance Scheme is being funded by the Federal Government, while the IGP family welfare scheme is funded by the Nigeria Police Force.
The IG advised the beneficiaries to use the money for the benefit of the families left behind by the deceased officers.
He noted that the gesture was part of the NPF’s efforts to sympathise with the families of deceased police officers and for the upkeep of their day-to-day life challenges.
I am aware the IGP is starting the year 2024 with another issuance of cheques/ insurance claims to families/ dependents of fallen police officers a day after Armed Forces Remembrance Day, an event that is held nationwide on January 15 annually to honour the country’s fallen heroes.
The welfare of police personnel has nothing to write home about with IGP Egbetokun on board; there is light at the end of the tunnel. Kudos to the indefatigable IGP!
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846.
