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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.”
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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