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We’ll sustain collaboration with UCH to improve health sector—Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has stated the readiness of his administration to sustain the collaboration and cooperation between the State and the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
The Governor, who made the disclosure while hosting the Board of Management of UCH during a courtesy visit to his office, said that the collaboration would help raise the bar of health care delivery in Oyo State.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr.Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Governor as saying that the Government of Oyo State would make the UCH Annex, Sepeteri functional.
Governor Makinde, while addressing the UCH team, led by the chairman of the Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Bako Shettima, said his administration would continue to leverage on institutions like the UCH to improve the Secondary Health Institutions in the State.
This was just as the Governor promised that his Government would continue to support the UCH in any way, stating that the State was quite appreciative of what the institution had been doing and would love to sustain the productive collaboration and partnership with the frontline health institution.
Governor Makinde said: “UCH has a history of collaboration and cooperation with the people and Government of Oyo State. So, I want to thank you for that and ask that this should be sustained.
“It has been a history of firsts for us in Oyo State. TheCocoa House building was started around 1959 and commissioned in 1965 and when we look at the area today, the skyline has not changed. So, we ask ourselves how do we sustain the vision of the leaders that brought such massive developments to this part of the world? Western Nigerian Television (WNTV) also happened to be the first television station on the continent. Even historically, I was told that the station came into being before the Southern part of France even had the opportunity to watch TV. Today, we watch DSTV and almost every home cell in Nigeria is paying some money to South Africa who came behind us.
“The same thing is happening in the health sector. Historically, I also read that UCH, in the evaluation that was done in the late 50samong the Commonwealth countries, was rated far higher than the University College in London itself. So, we have basically derailed from the trajectory, which our founding fathers set for us as acountry but that is not the end of the story. The story is that we have to hold ourselves responsible and accountable to change thenarrative; to put in our best such that two years from now, we shouldsee how we have leveraged on that to raise the bar.
“This administration is resting on four major pillars; education,security, health and expansion of our economy. So, health is a majorpillar and we will continue to look up to institutions like UCH to assist us, support us, collaborate with us. I believe the management of UCH will deploy its excess capacity to support our secondary health institutions in Oyo State. Whatever I can do to support the process, I am available and we will do it together.”
Governor Makinde called on the management of the UCH to avail the Government of the state of things at the Hospital’s annex in Sepeteri, Saki East Local Government, noting that his administration would ensure that the facility is fully function.
He said: “We want the UCH annex in Sepeteri, Saki East Local Lovernment area to remain functional and if there are challenges we need to be aware of as a government, we are ready and willing to ensure that the objective in that place is realised.
“Personally, I have visited UCH many times and when things were really tough for me towards the election in 2015, I had to move into UCH because of the security challenges. So, I will say, at that time, UCH basically saved my life. I want to believe that the same level of
alertness on security is being maintained.
“So, if there is a need to support you in any way, let us know. We aregoing to do that even without blinking an eye. It is good that wetransited at the same time in March. Now, we can both benchmark our progress the same way. We don’t believe we know everything in this place. If you see anything, which may not be even health-related, please, let us know and we will be ready to engage.”
Earlier, the chairman of the UCH Board of Management, Alhaji Shettima said the purpose of the visit was to congratulate Governor Makinde on his election and eventual victory after three rounds of legal hurdles and also to cement the relationship between the UCH and the Oyo State Government.
He appreciated the Oyo State Government for its support andcollaboration with the institution, which he said had a history ofmany firsts like the State, calling on the Government to look in theHospital’s direction whenever it needs ideas to sustain its pacesetter status.
“The management may have its own vision and mission but UCH is one of the teaching hospitals in the country, which is owned by the Federal Government. So, ordinarily, we are guided by policy of the Federal Government on health care service delivery.
“For now, the government is prioritising primary health care and that was the point the Governor was making; the contribution UCH is making in Sepeteri, Ibarapa and also a couple of other places in the State.”
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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