Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of pensioners, declaring that their wellbeing remains an integral component of the policies and programmes of his government.
Makinde stated this on Monday through the Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, who represented him at the unveiling of a newly acquired ambulance by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Council, for its Sure Health Care Hospital in Agbarigo, Ibadan.
Ige commended the NUP leadership for the initiative, saying the union had continued to demonstrate that it was a genuine partner in the development of the state through projects and programmes designed to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.
He specifically praised the NUP State Chairman, James Oyadotun, and the State Secretary, Comrade Dr Olusegun Abatan, for what he described as visionary and selfless leadership.
According to him, the union had recorded remarkable achievements under its leadership, including the construction of the Pensioners’ House, establishment of Pensioners FM radio station and Sure Health Care Hospital, as well as the implementation of regular programmes aimed at improving the welfare of its members.
Ige said, “Oyo NUP is the pride of pensioners in 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 programmes for its members.”
He said the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board was pleased to identify with the union and congratulate its leadership 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 meritoriously.
Ige disclosed that the administration had enrolled pensioners in the state in the health insurance scheme at no cost, while also refunding enrolment fees deducted from pensioners in 2022.
He further said 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 N50,000 Christmas bonuses to pensioners and N10,000 transport support funds, among other welfare packages.
He assured pensioners that the Makinde administration would continue to introduce policies and programmes aimed at improving their wellbeing 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 the NUP, Comrade Dr Olusegun Abatan, disclosed that the union acquired the ambulance through its own resources after its request to the state government for an ambulance and the solarisation of the hospital did not receive a response.
Abatan recalled that Sure Health Care Hospital was established on December 4, 2024, and commissioned by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who represented Governor Makinde at the occasion.
He said that, consistent with the union’s longstanding policy of self-reliance, the NUP mobilised its members to raise funds for the purchase of the ambulance.
“Twenty months after the establishment of our hospital, I am pleased to invite you to witness the unveiling of an ambulance bought 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 him, more than 120 people were currently working directly or indirectly under the union’s various establishments, 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 the solarisation of the hospital.
He also commended the Makinde administration for sustaining what he described as an unprecedented period of industrial peace in Oyo State.
“Forty complete seven years and three months, Oyo State has enjoyed unequalled labour peace. It is quite unprecedented, particularly from pensioners,” Abatan said.
He recalled that previous administrations had witnessed protests by pensioners over issues bordering on their welfare, urging the government to continue supporting labour leaders who had contributed to the industrial harmony being enjoyed in the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Kayode Martins, commended the NUP for acquiring the ambulance and praised Abatan for his leadership.
Martins urged workers and pensioners to remain united, and to ensure continuity of the present administration
