The Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC)
yesterday paid N4.6 million each
to the families of members of the
National Youth Service Corps
(NYSC) who died following the
Suleja bombings during the 2011
general election.
The money was paid to the next
of kins of the corps members
that were used as ad hoc staff
during the election.
The money was paid by the
Finance Department of the
commission.
Family members were paid under
closed doors as members of
press were shut out from the
ceremony.
A source at the INEC Finance
Department told THISDAY that the
money was part of insurance
claims as the corps members
who worked as ad hoc staff
were insured.
The Chief Press Secretary to INEC
Chairman, Kayode Idowu,
confirmed the payments to
THISDAY.
INEC, while presenting the
cheques to the families of the
victims in Abuja, through an
insurance company, Niger
Insurance Company Plc, said the
money was meant to assist them.
The Deputy Director, Insurance
and Due Process of Niger
Insurance, Mr. Thomas Afanga,
who presented the cheques on
behalf of the organisation,
regretted the incident just as he
said INEC was determined to
protect its staff in the course of
their constitutional assignments.
One of the victims’ families who
identified himself leader, Dr.
Ezeezuemeh Ethelbert, expressed
gratitude over the commission’s
gesture, saying the money would
assist them in no small measure
even as he regretted that
President Jonathan was yet to
fulfil his promise to the surviving
victims of the blast.
The president had, through
former Director General of NYSC,
General Ismaila Tsiga, at the
presentation of N5 million to the
families of those who died
during the incident, promised
automatic employment to those
that survived.
Tags: Nigeria, Featured, News,
INEC, Suleja Bombings, NYSC

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