Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makindehas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the well-being of pensioners, declaring that their well-being remains an integral component of his government’s policies and programs.
Makinde stated this on Monday through the Chairman, Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon Akeem Ademola Ige, who represented him at the inauguration of an ambulance recently acquired by the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, for its Sure Health Care Hospital in Agbarigo, Ibadan.
Ige praised the NUP leadership for the initiative and said the union had continued to demonstrate that it was a genuine partner in the development of the state through projects and programs designed to improve the quality of life of seniors.
He specifically praised NUP State Chairman, James Oyadotun, and State Secretary, Comrade Dr. Olusegun Abatan, for what he described as visionary and selfless leadership.
In his words, the union achieved notable achievements under his leadership, including the construction of the Pensioners’ House, the creation of the Pensioners’ FM radio station and the Sure Healthcare Hospital, as well as the implementation of regular programs aimed at improving the well-being of its members.
Ige said: “Oyo NUP is the pride of the pensioners of the South West and Nigeria as a whole. I want to use this medium to applaud Oyo NUP for constructing a magnificent building called Pensioners’ House, establishing Pensioners FM radio station and Sure Health Hospital among other programs for its members.”
He said the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board is pleased to identify with the union and congratulate its officers and members on the acquisition of the ambulance.
The pension board chairman also highlighted some of the interventions introduced by the Makinde administration in the pension sector, maintaining that the government had demonstrated its commitment to the welfare of retirees who served the State meritorious.
Ige revealed that the administration had enrolled the state’s pensioners in the health insurance plan free of charge, while also refunding the enrollment fees deducted from the pensioners in 2022.
He further said that the monthly allocation of the pension board had been increased from N250 million to N3 billion to facilitate the payment of gratuities and death benefits to retirees and beneficiaries.
According to him, other interventions by the administration included the payment of Christmas bonuses of N50,000 to retirees and transport support funds of N10,000, among other social assistance packages.
He assured the retirees that the Makinde administration would continue to introduce policies and programs aimed at improving their well-being and making life more meaningful for retirees across the state.
“I want to assure you that the Engr Seyi Makinde-led government will continue to put smiles on your faces by continuing to provide welfare packages to make life more meaningful for retirees in the state,” he said.
Earlier, the State Secretary of NUP, Comrade Dr. Olusegun Abatan, disclosed that the union procured the ambulance with its own resources after its request to the state government for an ambulance and solarization of the hospital received no response.
Abatan recalled that Sure Health Care Hospital was created on December 4, 2024 at the request of the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who represented Governor Makinde on the occasion.
He said that in line with the union’s long-standing policy of self-reliance, the NUP mobilized its members to raise funds for the purchase of the ambulance.
“Twenty months after the creation of our hospital, I am pleased to invite you to witness the inauguration of an ambulance purchased by the union for the hospital,” he said.
The NUP secretary said the union had also established its secretariat, radio station and hospital largely through contributions from pensioners, adding that the various initiatives had transformed the union into an employer of labour.
According to his words, currently more than 120 people work directly or indirectly in the various institutions of the union, including its radio station.
Abatan appealed to the Oyo State government to support the union with an 18-seater bus, funding for the annual Pensioners Day celebration and solarization of the hospital.
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He also commended the Makinde administration for sustaining what he described as an unprecedented period of industrial peace in Oyo State.
“For forty-seven years and three full months, Oyo State has enjoyed unparalleled labor peace. It is something that is unprecedented, especially among retirees,” Abatan said.
He recalled that previous administrations had witnessed protests by retirees over issues bordering on their well-being, urging the government to continue supporting union leaders who had contributed to the industrial harmony enjoyed in the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Oyo State President of the Nigerian Labor Congress, Comrade Kayode Martins, commended the NUP for acquiring the ambulance and commended Abatan for his leadership.
Martins urged workers and pensioners to remain united and guarantee the continuity of the current administration.
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