Health

The Oyo State government has enrolled 45,000 poor and vulnerable people under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, BHCPF, in the state.

This, the state government said was part of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration’s efforts to provide free medical services for its people.

Speaking during the launch of the programme on Friday, at the Aafin Primary Health Care Center, Oyo, Atiba Local Government area of Oyo State, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun said the vision of the state government is to achieve Universal Health Coverage for all residents of Oyo State where no one is left behind in accessing healthcare.

Mrs Adeosun extolled the state government for availing the residents of Oyo State of the opportunity under the BHCPF scheme. 

Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun (r) greeting people at the Aafin Primary Health Care Center, Oyo, Atiba Local Government area of Oyo State

The SSG enjoined the enrollees to take advantage of the opportunity under the Access to Care Scheme without paying out of pocket and thereafter she performed the symbolic distribution of BHCPF ID cards. 

She reiterated the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Speaking at the official flag-off ceremonies of access to care under BHCPF, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, OYSHIA, Dr Sola Akande disclosed that, “Oyo State is about to witness the final push towards Universal Health Care in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.”

Speaking further, Dr Akande, stated that the federal government through the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, has made available a total amount of 450,000,000.00 naira in the first tranche and 264,000,000 naira in the second tranche for enrollment of 37,500 people.

He, however, announced that through the innovation of the Agency, the same amount of money will be used to enrol 45,000 residents of the state into the scheme. 

Dr Akande also assured successful enrollees that they can access care without paying out-of-pocket through the ID card issued to them by the agency. 

The Basic Health Care Provision Fund’s primary objective is to help achieve Universal Health Coverage and enhance access to primary health care services for Oyo state citizens especially the poor and the vulnerable, women, children under 5, and children in orphanages.

Present at the flag-off ceremony are the Oyo-Mesi led by High Chief Yusuf Akinade Ayoola the Oosorun of Oyo; the General Manager, NHIA, Lagos office, Mr Olufemi Akingbade; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Adesoji Adeyanju; the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muyideen Olatunji among others.

As Oyo State flags off access to care, under BHCPF, the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency has empanelled 22,018 lives into 127 PHCs across 33 LGA’s and have paid capitation into all of these facilities for effective health care service delivery to enrollees.

Oluwakayode Banjo

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Economy

As the world marks Workers Days, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has commended the Labour Unions in the state for adding value to governance, consistently defending and improving the political, economic and the social rights of the people of Oyo State.

He gave the commendation during this year’s Workers Day held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba,Ibadan.

Governor Makinde who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun said his administration recognized the sacrifices, and contribution of all the workers of Oyo State in the face of the difficulties and challenges posed by the present economic situation in the country.

The governor while emphasizing the roles of workers to policies implementation enumerated programmes employed by his government to make life better for them such as prompt payment of salaries,provision of buses to convey workers, training and re-training of civil servants in the state.

He therefore urged the Oyo state civil servants to desist from all forms of misconduct ranging from truancy, lateness to work, disloyalty to the government, embezzlement, and other improper conducts.

He said”Let me also state that as we are moving to the electioneering period, it is essential for all workers to eschew all forms of political participation thereby upholding the principles and ethics of the civil service.

“It is worthy of note that we release a total sum of Four Hundred and Eighty Million Naira (N480,000,00.00) monthly for payment of gratuities to Local Government, Primary School and State Retirees”

“On 28th May 2021, this administration delivered Nine Brand New Buses for conveyance of workers to and from their places of work at no cost. In order to make it stress free for the Department administering the vehicles, we had to increase the amount of fuel given to these buses from 80litres per week to 200litres per week. It was our belief that this would enable the buses cover more routes and thereby convey more workers”.

“Let me also add that government has listened to some of the complaints coming from workers on the operation of the Pacesetter buses. We have therefore decided to add two additional buses to join the Olodo and Egbeda routes. This is as a result of the need to effectively serve the huge population of workers on those routes. Besides, the bus plying Ojoo route will now extend to Moniya, while the one on Challenge route will now get to New Garage.

“Training and development must be built into it on all levels, training, and development that never stop.” This administration believes that the Civil/Public Service is the engine room of any government. Therefore, the success of the government depends on the vibrancy of the Civil/Public Service that helps in the execution and implementation of policies”.

“Let me place on record that the state government has trained over Twenty Thousand Workers across the state in different areas specially to support the Four (4) cardinal programmes of this administration. This has been bearing fruits as many workers are seen to have been more dedicated and effective in the performance of their duties”.

“In order to have more capable hands in some segments in the Civil/Public Service we recruited Six Hundred and Ninety-Two (692) Education Officers to man the affairs of such Schools under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology”

In a remark,Oyo state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress,Kayode Martins while commending the state government for its various programmes on welfarism of workers urged the government to support the autonomy of Local government.

Iyabo Adebisi

Culture

All is set for the coronation of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun (Alli Okunmade 11), billed for Mapo Hall, Ibadan on Friday, 11th March 2022.

The Chairman of the Olubadan Coronation Committee, who is also the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, made this public in Ibadan saying that the Government of Oyo State was ready to host a grand event befitting of the status of the revered monarch.

The SSG felicitated his Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Olalekan Balogun, his immediate family, the Olubadan-in-Council and the entire sons and daughters of Ibadanland, both home and in the Diaspora, on the dawn of a new era, urging all to pray for a successful tenure.

She said: “The Olubadan Coronation Committee, on behalf of His Excellency, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde wishes to alert the residents of Ibadan, the good people of Oyo State and our well-wishers across the globe of the coronation of our revered monarch, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, on Friday, March 11, 2022.” 

“Arrangements have been put in place for this momentous occasion as we express the determination of Governor Makinde and the Executive Council of Oyo State to stage an event befitting of the status of His Imperial Majesty and Ibadanland.”

“In line with the directives of His Excellency, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, the Coronation Committee has taken necessary steps to make the coronation of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun (Alli Okunmade 11), a colourful event and a masterpiece.”

“While we will advise motorists and everyone attending to adhere strictly to the traffic advisory already made public by relevant government agencies, we wish our new monarch a tenure blessed with goodness, peace and unprecedented development.”

Iyabo Adebisi

Security

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has promised to deploy more security strategies to keep the state safe and secure in the new year.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),  Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, at the Armed Forces remembrance celebration, Church service, held at the St.Peter’s Church, Aremo, Ibadan, said that the government would continue to ensure that the welfare of the Armed forces is guaranteed.

He said: “As a state, we will continue to care for the families of the fallen heroes and ensure that their welfare is guaranteed.

“For all of us who live in Oyo State, I think we should all ensure that when we see people who have lost their spouses, either as members of the Armed Forces or not, who have fought gallantly to make Nigeria Safe, we should always support them like our children and give them special privileges as much as we can.

“Indeed, security has improved in our state and I am sure you have heard the Governor acknowledged that a number of times. A lot of it has to do with the strategy that has been deployed, the cooperation among all the security agencies in the state, as well as the settling down of Amotekun itself.

“Going forward, we expect that it will continue at this pace and even get better. There are additional security strategies that are going to be deployed this year. Like the Governor said, we will get additional Mobile Police Squadron in Oyo and the different security outfits will continue to work together to ensure the state remains safe and secure.”

Earlier in his sermon, the provost, Very Revd. Wale Adebiyi, commended the state government for allowing peace to reign in all nooks and crannies of the state.

He appreciated all those in charge of the state security architecture for improving security in the state.

He urged the people to come to the aid of the families of the 

Armed Forces, so that their efforts would not be in vain.

Iyabo Adebisi

Health

Wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Tamunominini makinde has called on women in an abused relationship to always speak out.

Mrs Makinde gave the advice during a walk to mark the 16 days of activism against gender based violence.

She said seeking help usually reduce the trauma of abuse and rendering assistance to such women would help stabilize them emotionally.

Mrs Makinde called on the society to be sensitive to their plights and give people in an abused relationship a listening ear.

 She said although some families were going through economic challenges which may affect their finances, this should not be basis to abuse one’s spouse.

During the rally against gender based violence, Some Women in the state raised concern against the act.

The women who registered their grievances against rape, sexual abuse, beating and all forms of violence, called for an end to abuses confronting them.

The walk which took off from government house Agodi and terminated at the office of the wife of the governor had some government officials, including secretary to the State government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun head of service, Alhaja Ololade Agboola,  commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja  Faosat Sanni and Special Adviser to Oyo state governor on diaspora matters, Mrs Bolanle Sarumi among others. 

Every 25th of November is a day of Elimination of violence against women, while the 16 days of activism in commemoration of the day continues till 10th December.

Seyifunmi Olarinde

Environment

In the bid to pass on the culture of preserving the environment to the next generation, Oyo State Government has launched the Clean and Green Club in public secondary schools across the state.

Flagging off the launch of 50 Mobile toilets and the Clean and Green Club with selected schools, at the Ministry of Environment, Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde who said the initiative would be extended to more schools in the state charged the students to make a difference in their environments.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, Governor Makinde said the state had taken steps to improve her rank on the list of states with low tolerance for open defecation with the launch of the Public Mobile Toilets.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr Idowu Oyeleke said the Mobile Toilets would be deployed to Markets, Motor Parks and other remote areas in the state to curb open defecation.

He said the initiative was achieved through Public Private Partnership and would be monitored by the Ministry.

Mr Oyeleke noted that 500,000 trees would be planted between now and 2023, therefore the students would be trained to plant trees in their schools and environment.

Earlier the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry had led other health officers to Oje market to sensitize the people and plant trees.

The event attracted stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture, Education, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, FRIN and students drawn from schools across the state. Blessing Okareh

Education

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state says his administration considers education as one of the cardinal agenda that government at all levels must give to this generation for prosperity.

He stated this at the 17th convocation ceremony of the Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government,Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun explained that his administration’s poise for education has accounted for the huge investment in the education sector.
Earlier, the Provost of the institution, Muritala Ayansiji noted that through Governor Makinde’s political will and huge financial commitment, the college had secured accreditation for some courses to the existing ones.
The event had in attendance Commissioner for Health, Dr Bashir Bello and Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye.
Iyabo Adebisi

Lifestyle

A cleric, Reverend John Alo of the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Yemetu, Ibadan has admonished Nigerians to always showcase God’s love in every position they find themselves.

He gave the admonition during a thanksgiving service that ended the burial ceremony of Late Madam Abigail Makinde, the mother of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state held at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Yemetu, Ibadan.

Reverend Alo charged those in position of authorities to be a source of joy to the people under them instead of being source of bitterness.

He said the sudden demise of the Madam Abigail Makinde should be a wake-up call for everyone to get prepared for death, since nobody knows when it would be his turn.

The cleric further urged Christians to always hold on to the words of God to guide and direct their daily activities on earth.

In a remark during the thanksgiving service, Governor Seyi Makinde noted that death is inevitable for all creatures.

Governor Makinde urged the congregation to always remember in all their endeavours that death would come one day.

The governor used the occasion to thank all the clerics and members of the church for their support and contributions toward the success of his mother’s burial.

The wife of former Governor Rasheed Ladoja, Mrs Mutiat Ladoja, former deputy governor of Ekiti state, Olusola Eleka, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan and his wife and the Secretary to the State Government, Olubamiwo Adeosun attended the thanksgiving service.

Iyabo Adebisi