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Ajimobi to introduce N200 health insurance scheme in Oyo.
GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has reiterated that his administration will soon be a force to reckon with in the nation’s healthcare service delivery with the soon to be introduced N200 Health Insurance Scheme, just as he urged Nigerians to always go for medical check-ups in order to stay healthy.
The governor said this today at the flag off ceremony of a statewide Free Health Mission and the Unveiling of multi-million dollars medical equipments and consumables at Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan.
He noted that the efforts of the present administration to overhaul the health sector will make the state the Mecca of healthcare services in Nigeria, adding that the availability of new medical equipments, upgrade of the state-owned health institutions to training facilities as well as provision of free healthcare services to the needy throughout the State among others will help in actualizing his vision for the health sector.
He said, “it is safe to say, Oyo State will soon become the Mecca of healthcare services in Nigeria as we have put a lot of premium on the welfare of the people especially in the health sector. The total overhaul of the State healthcare sector, elevation of health institutions to medical training facilities, Free Health Mission, availability of new equipments and the soon to be established Cardiovascular Screening Center at Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital will help in actualizing the vision we have for the health sector.
“In the next few days, our insurance health scheme will come on board and we will start ‘Walk-to-life’ project among others. With N200 to be paid for this insurance, an individual will have access to free health services in any State health institution across Oyo State,” the governor stressed.
Governor Ajimobi further advised the people of the State and Nigerians as a whole to constantly visit health centers to check their health status in order to avoid early and untimely death, quoting a Buddhist proverb “to keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we will not be able to keep the mind.”
Also, he commended the Nigeria Women Association of Georgia, a non -governmental organization based in the United States of America, for their support to the state health sector and the donation of medical equipments and consumables worth 2million dollars.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan said through the State health intervention programs, malaria prevalence in the State has been reduced by 43% while polio has been totally eradicated.
The State health handler stated that the Cardiovascular Screening Center that would soon be sited in Ibadan would cover the six Southwestern States, adding that the popular Adeoyo Medical Hospital would become a medical training institution.
“Since 2011, this administration has treated over one million patients under its free healthcare services program and this flag-off is meant to cover around a million patients throughout the State in commemoration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s 6th year anniversary as Governor. We have the present State administration to thank for the turnaround in the health sector in the State,” Dr Adeduntan said.
The representative of Nigeria Women Association of Georgia (NWAG) and Med-Share Inc. U.S.A at the event, Prof. Femi Ajayi said the organization took it upon itself to donate the medical equipments to the State so as to benefit the underprivileged.
He, then lauded the Oyo State government for coming up with ingenious approach to healthcare services as the world was witnessing economic crisis.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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