Makinde inaugurates Oyo pensioners’ hospital

Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday in Ibadan inaugurated Sure Health Care Hospital Limited built by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).

Governor Makinde, represented by his deputy, Chief Adebayo Lawal, in a remark at the event, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers, serving and retired.

The governor, who praised pensioners in the state for their understanding and cooperation, promised to pursue causes that will promote a good relationship between the state government and its retired employees.

“Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has been working assiduously to ensure that Oyo State workers and pensioners receive deserved wages and benefits that will make them happy at all times.

“After the Federal Government declared N70,000 new minimum wage, some states said N77,000, some said they won’t go beyond N70,000, some even wanted to drop below N70,000. But His Excellency, because of his labour friendliness, in spite of the lean purse of the state government, said our workers must earn a living wage and so he said the minimum wage in Oyo State is N80,000,” the deputy governor said.

Lawal pledged to take the demands of the pensioners as regards implementation of previous percentage increases and adjustments in pensions, as earlier articulated by the state secretary of the union, Dr Olusegun Abatan, to his principal for the consideration of the government.

The deputy governor commended the leadership of the Oyo NUP for making the council a model for other states and for living up to the state’s nickname “pacesetter.”

He also praised the union for putting the hospital in place to cater for the health care needs of not only the pensioners but all citizens who desire quality health care services.

He noted the previous achievements of the union in the areas of a model office complex and a radio station, Pensioners 106.7FM.

Lawal commended the contributions of the pensioners to the growth and development of the state while in the employ of the government in the various ministries, departments and agencies until retirement.

Earlier, the NUP national president, Comrade Godwin Abumisi and the state chairman of the union, Chief Isiaka Abolade, congratulated pensioners in Oyo State on the opening of the hospital which they described as a landmark achievement.

In a keynote address, the state secretary of the union, Dr Olusegun Abatan, had called on Governor Makinde to approve N60,000 as pensions for retired workers in the state, in tandem with the implementation of the new minimum wage for serving workers.

According to Dr Abatan, the request and the amount are not far-fetched, considering the unimplemented pension increases and adjustments over the years.

He said the idea of setting up a hospital for Oyo State pensioners and the public was inspired by an experience during a past personal health crisis and “the way our pensioners were dying like fowls during the locust years preceding the coming of Engineer Seyi Makinde as governor of Oyo State.”

Dr Abatan said, “By the name of the hospital, we pledge to give the best medical attention to our members and the public as we pursue our goal of making the hospital one of the best in Oyo State and the country at large.”

The chairman of the occasion, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, underscored the importance of health care for enhancing the quality of health of all and sundry, especially the senior citizens.

Professor Otegbayo, who was represented by Professor Olubukola Adesina, chairman of the UCH Medical Advisory Committee, said: “There is no doubt that our pensioners had dedicated their lives to the development of our great nation and our communities. It is, therefore, our duty to see that they receive the best possible care in their golden years.

“Without any doubt, this facility is a significant investment in health care infrastructure. I recognise that our pensioners have unique health needs and I have not doubt that this hospital is committed to providing them with the best possible care.”

The event was attended by dignitaries, other government functionaries, stakeholders from the health sector, traditional rulers and members of the public.

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