By Lanre Adesanya
The Lagos State House of Assembly has commended the recent gesture of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode who raised the police officers death insurance policy to N10 million.
Ambode announced an increment of the death insurance benefit for police officers who die in active service to the state from N1m to N10 million.
The Governor raised the benefits from N1 million to rank and file and N2 million to senior officers to N10 million, saying that his administration would stop at nothing to ensure the safety of all citizens in the State.
The spokesman for the House,Hon. Tunde Braimoh said in an interview that the gesture was a motivation that would increase commitment of police and no doubt further improve the state security.
Braimoh who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, however, said, “It is another epoch making trail blazer.
“This gesture of His Excellency the pragmatic Governor of Lagos, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is unprecedented, unparalleled and yet unsurpassed in the history of public service in Nigeria.
“When policemen are slain in their encounter with men of the underworld, we wear long faces and make emotive dirges without walking our talks.
“The woes of the dependants left behind by such officers are exacerbated by economic drought and despondency.
“No doubt , there’s no sum of money that equals any life but then , when things come to compensation, it is only meaningful if adequate, sufficient and has the desired effect.
“The clamor for this exemplary scheme had been on for too long and I hope this amelioration would not be unnoticed by public commentators.”
Braimoh, who is representing Kosofe Constituency 2 at the Assembly urged the police to live up to the expectations of the government and people of the state.
He added, “It is hoped that officers and men of Nigeria Police in Lagos will appreciate and reciprocate this non-cosmetic considerate and compassionate approach to governance.
The lawmaker prayed God continue to endow and enable Ambode with wisdom and courage for the betterment of residents.
The governor made the announcement after he was presented with two awards recently won in South Africa by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the state Police Command.
Ambode, who had said security and safety of the people remained one of the focal objectives of his administration, added that government would continually embrace measures to motivate and encourage officers to perform their duties diligently.