From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, has underscored the role of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) in restoring hope and dignity to Nigerian workers who suffer injuries in the line of duty.
Faleye stated this in Abuja during the presentation of prosthetic limbs to 10 beneficiaries of the scheme.
In a statement issued to The Triumph on Sunday, the NSITF boss, who was represented by the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs. Nkiru Ogunnike, said the initiative had continued to put smiles on the faces of injured workers by supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
According to him, the ECS goes beyond statutory compensation, reflecting a humane commitment to restoring confidence and preserving the dignity of workers affected by occupational hazards.
He noted that workplace accidents often result not only in physical injuries but also emotional trauma and uncertainty about the future.
Faleye explained that for many Nigerian workers, a single workplace incident can permanently alter the course of their lives.
He, however, said the intervention of the NSITF through the ECS provides victims with a second chance to rebuild their lives and regain independence.
Highlighting specific cases, the NSITF MD cited the experiences of two beneficiaries: Daniel Etim, a staff member of the University of Uyo Printing Press, and Festus Okpara of Tower Aluminium Laos, as evidence of the impact of the scheme.
According to him, Daniel lost his arm in May 2024 after it became trapped in an industrial machine during routine work, leading to amputation.
“However, through the intervention of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund as administrators of the ECS, Daniel received medical support, with his treatment expenses fully covered under the scheme.
“Beyond the payment of medical bills, the Fund extended further rehabilitative support by providing him with a prosthetic arm, reaffirming its commitment not only to compensation but also to restoring dignity, confidence and functionality to injured workers.
“Daniel’s story underscores the broader mandate of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, a social protection mechanism designed to ensure that Nigerian workers who suffer workplace injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases or death are not abandoned in moments of vulnerability,” Faleye stated.
He added that Festus Okpara, whose workplace accident occurred in 2015, had also benefited immensely from the intervention.
“Having lost his hand in a workplace incident, Festus lived for years with the emotional burden that accompanied his physical condition.
“Beyond the trauma of the accident itself was the constant public attention, the quizzical looks and the pitying stares that made social interactions difficult,” he said.
Faleye explained that the NSITF provided Festus with a silicone prosthetic hand, helping him regain not only physical confidence but also a renewed sense of inclusion and self-worth.
“For beneficiaries like Daniel and Festus, the interventions of the NSITF have become more than institutional obligations; they represent hope, restoration and reassurance that injured workers are not left to navigate tragedy alone,” he added.
The NSITF boss further noted that the cases highlighted a frequently overlooked dimension of workplace injuries, the psychological and emotional scars that persist long after physical wounds may have healed
“These interventions highlight the critical role of the NSITF in implementing the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, which continues to serve as a vital safety net for Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors,” he concluded.
Reflecting on how the intervention transformed his life, one of the beneficiaries, Festus Okpara, expressed appreciation to the Fund.
“I thank NSITF for coming all this way to help. At least with this silicone artificial hand, I can go out in public and feel free. NSITF has reduced the level of trauma,” he said.
It would be recalled that the 10 beneficiaries were among the 78 persons recently fitted with artificial limbs under the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration programme of the NSITF.
