None of the states in Nigeria surpasses Oyo in the welfare of both active and retired civil servants in the past 5 years.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this on the occasion of the refund of over ₦147million which was deducted from pensioners in 2022 for the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, OYSHIA, scheme.
“It gladdens the heart that the over 30,000 beneficiaries of this refund and indeed the over 42,000 pensioners throughout the State are of one voice, that Governor Seyi Makinde is the best Governor in Oyo State so far.”
Prince Oyelade who is also the Chairman, Healthcare Subcommittee of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery, SAfER scheme which was established following the federal govt fuel subsidy removal, said Governor Makinde deliberately established SAfER to deviate from the practice of giving temporary relief for the people.
According to the commissioner, Makinde set up six committees to provide long lasting relief for residents of Oyo State beyond the Palliative template which the Federal Government envisaged.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon. Akeem Ige, said that Governor Seyi Makinde revealed his love for pensioners by donating his salary from his first day in office to the welfare of Oyo State pensioners.
He noted that the governor is committed to regular and timely payment of pensions and gratuity, his administration and clearing of backlogs of pensions and gratuity under previous administration before 2027.
In his address, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, OYSHIA, Dr. Sola Akande, who is also the Secretary, Healthcare Subcommittee, SAfER, acknowledged the unique leadership role of Governor Makinde in prioritising the health of workers by including them in the SAfER project and releasing all needed fund for health insurance scheme for pensioners in Local Government Staff Pension Board and the State Pension Board.
He said the governor further went ahead to pay the health insurance premium for all pensioners in 2023 and 2024.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Dr. Segun Abatan, applauded Governor Seyi Makinde for allowing pensioners in the State to enjoying the atmosphere of good governance.
He said the government decided to deduct the sum of ₦4,000 per pensioner between September and December of 2022 to enroll pensioners in the State Health Insurance Scheme after an extensive period of deliberation with the pensioners.
He said Gov. Makinde in his magnanimity has decided to refund the said year 2022 deduction totalling ₦147,548,000 to the pensioner.
The NUP Executive Secretary said Governor Makinde’s administration has transformed the welfare and health of pensioners in the State by giving free insurance to Pensioners earning not more than ₦5,000.
He disclosed that the NUP also pleaded with the Governor to help reduce the ₦8,000 premium being paid by each pensioner earning more than ₦5,000 to ₦4,000, and the Governor has since acceded to their request.
Dr. Abatan further appealed to the Governor to give adequate consideration to pensioners on issues relating to minimum wage when the negotiations commence.
