By Richard Thomas
The Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Waheed Akintayo has revealed reason his free health scheme is coming as his first major empowerment agenda for the people of Oluyole State Constituency.
According to him, health is an important factor in human life which must come first before anything else, hence, those that can enjoy empowerment are people who are healthy, adding that the scheme is aimed at ensuring that the people are in good health condition to enjoy the basics of life and dividends of democracy among others.
Speaking with Oodua News in Ibadan on the development which has become talk of the town, the Legislators who is fondly addressed as Ilumoka Presenter said, he places premium on the health of the people, hence, the reason he is embarking on the exercise as his first point of empowerment to 500 people in the Oluyole Constituency
He said he had well prepared to serve the people before he was voted into office to represent them, adding that plans have been put in place to ensure good execution of the scheme to the people.
“I see the scheme as something that should come first because I place high premium on the health of the people, that was what prompted me to hold a meeting with the head of the health insurance agency (OYSHIA) in the state.”
“Before now, there was a bill that made it mandatory for citizens of Oyo State to be under the Health Insurance Scheme, and a lot of people know this. I held a meeting with the head of the agency which led to the health scheme coming up on August 21st, at Methodist High School, Toll Gate, Ibadan by 10am.”
“The slot for each category of the beneficiaries have been carefully put in place, they include the security agencies in the constituency which are the five police divisions in the area, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the DSS and others.
Other beneficiaries according to him, are the traditional rulers, market men and women, members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, League of Imams, the widows, community leaders, the physically challenged and many others.
“This scheme has been carefully put in place to improve lives of people and members of other parties in Oluyole constituency. Though, I was voted into office on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I am representing all the people and parties in the Constituency, hence the reason I am making the scheme to cut across all the political parties. The scheme is also extended to my media constituency, the Oyo State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, members of All Progressive Congress (APC), APGA and others.”
“The project is going to be a massive one, I have other projects in the pipeline for the people, the scheme is part of my efforts to fulfill my electioneering campaign promises to members of Oluyole constituency, he added.
Hon. Akintayo said the extension of the programme from August 17 to 21 was to enable him make adequate preparation for the programme, adding his administration has embarked on great measures of work since the 10th Assembly was inaugurated on June 14, 2023.
“It was about two week to Ileya when we were Inaugurated, I still made sure I reached out to our people. We spent a lot to put smiles on their faces, I gave out cash, rams and food items like rice and others to our leaders and Muslim clerics for the Ileya celebration.
“I am working very hard to ensure I give parliative to our people in order to cushion the hardship facing facing them. I have plans to collaborate with the Oyo Pacesetters Transport Company Limited to provide Buses for free transport for my people within towns in the Constituency. This will also help to reduce the hardship facing them, The buses will shuttle in areas like Beere to Muslim, Acedemy, New Garage and others.”
The astute politician assured that the development no doubt will go a long way to assist the people especially students whose parents can no longer afford transport fare for them.
Assessing the activities of the 10th House of Assembly since its inauguration on June 14, 2023, the legislator said the house started on a good note, assuring that the Assembly under the visionary leadership of Hon Adebo Ogundoyin will work and synergize with the state governor to move the state to great heights.
Hon. Akintayo said the Omititun 2.0 by the governor is aimed at complementing the laudable projects of the governor in his first term, urging the people to further cooperate with his administration and governor Makinde to put smiles on their faces.
