Ibadan

The Minister of Health has been advised  to ensure the renovation and rehabilitation of obsolete and moribund health facilities in government-owned hospitals  across the country.

This advice was given by a member of the National Executive Council(NEC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU), who doubles as the  branch chairman of the union at the  University College Hospital(UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Abiona.

''The Minister of Health needs to look inwards and ensure that the moribund facilities that are the health sector are revived. Since the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration carried out the only major facility upgrade  in 2005, nothing has been done by successive administrations. It is almost about two decades since the major overhaul has been done.''

Comrade Abiona also called on the Minister to ignore  the agitation for the privatization  of government-owned hospitals saying, ''such agitation will not allow him to end up well.''

The NASU chairman maintained that the Minister should  remain  neutral in the affairs of the health sector workers, adding, ''he should not be a Minister of  Medical Doctors, but the Minister of all.''

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The Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU) has accused some members of the the management team of University College Hospital of deliberately facilitating the postponement of the union's elections.

The NASU made this accusation through its chairman Comrade Kehinde Abiona. ''Some elements in the management of the hospital had a hand in the postponement of the union's elections. We were supposed to have the delegates/departmental election on Wednesday 2nd August and the major elections on Thursday 3rd August, but the Chief Security Officer of the hospital met me and told me that the management had decided to put the elections on hold. Comrade Abiona picked holes in the letter written to the union by the management saying''there are a number of actions that have been taken without the knowledge of the Chief Medical Director.'' ''Heads of Departments do not have any role to play in the election of delegates in the departments. The majority of the HODs are not members of our union. They do not have any role to pay in the electoral process. Since they are not members, they should not influence the electoral process. The management directed that elections should be put on hold until further notice to allow for the implementation of the report of the technical committee established to look into the immediate and remote causes of the union's March 15 elections that were disrupted,'' Comrade Abiona stated.

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Workers in several states in Nigeria have expressed worries over the unresolved issues surrounding the national minimum wage, contributory pension scheme and other related challenges.
Their worries are further heigthened by the prolonged slience of labor leaders in the face of increasing challenges confronting workers in the affected states as a result of the unresolved issues.
Sadly, some labor unions benefited  financially from state governments and politically exposed people in the just concluded general elections in exchange for electoral support.
In a related development, the chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU), University College Hospital(UCH) branch, Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Abiona has called on the members of the union to remain calm as the union awaits a new date for elections from its national headquarters.
''Presently, the branch is waiting for the directive of the national headquarters of the union on the new date for elections. I implore our members to be law abiding and continue to give us their individual loyalty and we promise to continue to stand in the gap between members and management anytime and any day. The union has waxed stronger since the procedure to elect new branch leaders was disrupted. The sitting executives are yet to be dissolved. The Abiona-led executive is still in charge of the branch.''

Meanwhile, the UCH branch of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP) has insisted that the Oladayo Olabampe-led executives believe in the sacredness of transparency and accountability.
This position was made known on behalf of the union by its Public Relation Officer, Dr. Daniel Adejobi.
''This administration runs an open administration.''
The union's insistence is coming on the heels of allegations levelled against the branch executives by some members(names not mentioned to avoid victimization).
The allegations are hinged on corruption, high-handedness, lack of accountability and insensitivity.
However, Dr. Adejobi maintained that his response to the allegations would only come when the identities of the members are verified.
''I have to verify that the allegations are coming from the right quarters. I will need to have proof that the allegations are coming from my members  before I respond. It may be concocted. On a general note, none of the allegations are true, except if you have proof of the members that made the allegations,'' he stated.

Concerned members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions(NASU), University College Hospital(UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria on Thursday organized the maiden edition of the Manifesto for contestants for the 2023 NASU UCH elections.
In her opening remarks, the chairperson of the organizing committee, Miss Winifred Agogo stressed that the elections were very important to NASU members, adding''we must elect executives with integrity, who are reliable, transparent and with foresight, who will enable all staff to reach the peak of their careers regardless of ethnicity, tribe and religion.''
Miss Agogo also noted that the mianfesto was the first of its kind in the history of the branch and UCH in general.
In his remarks, the branch chairman of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP), who doubles as the chairman of the union in the state, Mr. Oladayo Alabampe admonished the contestants to be fully prepared for the task ahead, saying '' the elections should be seen as a game and not a war. If it goes your way, that means they want you, if it does not go your way, they don't want you.''
For the chairman of NASU in the state, Mr. Adepeju, '' the pillar of unity should not be broken after the elections.''
Contestants present at the program include Mrs. Omolara Ajenifuja, Mr. Oluwaseun Asogobon and Mr. Kehinde Abiona, incumbent treasurer, secretary, and chairman respectively, while other contestants stayed away.
A major source of concern for the NASU and other unions revolves around the contributory pension scheme.

Members of the Non-Academic Staff and Associated Institutions Union(NASU) Ibadan, Nigria will, on Wednesday 15 March, 2023 elect new executives to steer the affairs of the union for the next four years.

The incumbent executives referred to as the United Transformation team, led by Comrde Kehind Abiona are seeking re-election.

The present branch secretary is Comrader Oluwaseun Asogbon while Comrade Omolara Ajenifuja is the Treasurer.

For the Progressive team, Comrade Adekunle Adegboye is the candidate for the chairmanship position, Comrade Olapeju Falow for Secretary and Olabisi Akpuko for Treasurer.

In his remarks, the incumbent chairman, Comrade Kehinde Abiona stated that the present NASU executive has performed creditably well, saying, '' we made a four point agenda and we were able to fulfill our promises within the first six months of our administration and we have done more.We have moved the union from where it was to an enviable position.''

The Comrade Adegboye-led Progressive team intends to implement an 8-point agenda if elected. The team intends to organize regular congresses to address workplace related issues, facilitate promotion and conversion for members, continuously engage and negotiate with management and empower female members and widows among others.

-Allegations Baseless-chairman

Worried members of the Non Academic Staff and Associated Institutions Union(NASU), University College Hospital(UCH)branch,Ibadan, Nigeria have accused the executives of the union of promoting self-designed and self-centered interests to the detriment of the union.

The members, who spoke incognito, also lamented the lack of accountability and transparency on the part of the executives.

''The executives of our union have continued to channel the resources of our union to self-driven and self-centered projects and interests. They have been so smart about it, but we have detected the infractions. In addition, they hide under the name of the union to seek pecuniary benefits from politically exposed persons, whom everybody knows have had engagements with the union leaders.''

''And of great worry, is the fact that we, the members of NASU are not carried along in the scheme of the union's activities. There is the need for inclusiveness, accountability and transparency,'' the aggrieved members stated.

In his reaction on behalf of the union's executives, the chairman, Comrade Kehinde Abiona dismissed the allegations, describing them as concocted and baseless.

''The so-called resource diversion is alien to me because we run the union with the mindset of transparent leadership. This our great union is backed by a constitution which stipulates our functions and the terms of stewardship at the beginning and end of our tenure, which is four years and is renewable. There has never been any occasion during which the union's resources were diverted to private interests. Since we came on board on March 13, 2019, we have opened up the resources of the union for the overall benefit of all members.''

Comrade Abiona disclosed that the days of touts and hooligans in the union were gone for good, saying, '' we ensure that there is equality and fairness in the workplace. Anything concerning my members, I must be very interested in it. I am not here as a chairman on my own, there is the secretary and treasurer. Formerly, only the chairman, secretary and treasurer took major decisions, but when we mounted the saddle on March 13, 2019, we opened up the issue of finances, so the five ex-officio members of the union are always part of the decision-making process.

The NASU chairman maintained that the union gave members the opportunity to interface with politically exposed persons, who aspire to become policy makers, saying, ''is it now a crime for a trade union leader to receive and listen to potential leaders in society? Is it a crime for us to have organized a health workers' symposium last year? Our members need to be exposed to several issues. So, what happened is that we exercised our rights to ensure a balance between the leaders, potential leaders and our members. Our engagement with them was just in the interest of our members, nothing else. He attributed the allegation to the fast-approaching elections of the union in March, stressing, ''with the fear of God paramount in our hearts, we are ensuring that transparency is not defeated in our tenure.''

''By the special grace of God, all members of the executive are recontesting in the upcoming elections. The purpose of recontesting is to consolidate and to ensure that the well rebranded image of the union does not relapse to the inglorious days. Expect our score card soon, Comrade Abiona concluded.

Owners of various categories of shops-make shift and steel containers inclusive-now constitute the majority population in most communities in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Most of these petty traders, who trade generally in second-hand and perishable items, are not residents of these communities and have become security threats.

Indeed, a sizable number of them-tradesmen, artisans, market men and women-were empowered by politically exposed personalities who hold public offices.

The personalitites who are desperate to remain in public offices, covertly support the criminal activities of these shop owners Not surprisingly, the crime rate in these communities, which include Olorunsogo, Molete, Molusi, Solanke, IMG Ibuko(the primary school is a den for criminals), Oyegbami, Oshodi, Aluko, Scout Camp, Felele, among others-has been on upsurge in recent times.

However, of worry is the continued threats to kill being issued by the shop owners, criminally minded residents, their children and wards.

Most communities in Oyo state among other states in Nigeria have been overwhelmed by criminals, a significant number of whom are residents.
These criminals take time to observe happenings in these communities from shops, beer parlors, hotels, and abandoned buildings in these communities after which they facilitate heinous and grievous crimes.
In Molusi, Solanke, Oeygbami, Oshodi, Olorunsogo, Barracks, Aluko, Felele, and several other communities in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, electricians, petty traders, barbers, commercial motorcycle operators, and mechanics and beer parlor operators secure accommodation for questionable characters, who no terrorize these communities.

Sadly, the Landlords and Tenants Associations in these communities know these criminals but overlook their criminal activities, perhaps because of the pecuniary benefits accruing to them. Although they ensure they facilitate the collection of night guards dues from residents with all vigor.
The outcome is the several unreported cases of crimes in these communities, while innocent residents continue to ponder over the constitutional roles of law enforcement agencies which seems to be non-existent

The relevant law enforcement agencies are well aware of the reign of crime and criminality at Molusi, Solanke, Oyegbami, Olorunsogo, Molete, Oshodi, Aluko, Scout camp, Felele and several other communities in Ibadan, Oyo state.

But probably due to the involvement of some of the law enforcement agents with the cultists who perpetrate heinous and grievous crimes, little or nothing has been done to reverse the worrisome situation. This is even as there as several unreported heart rendering cases.

 Since the law enforcement agencies have the responsibility to ensure the safety of lives and property, the unending reign of terror by these cultists, who openly threaten to kill those who question their activities leaves much to be desired-  a point of reference is one '  Samba', a barber, whose barbing shop is among the block of shops located in front of a building at the Aluko/Barracks, Felele/Scout camp/Oshodi Street junction. He openly threatens to kill people while at the same time boasting of his connection with some officers and rank and file of the Police.

Indeed, owners of beer parlors, Ogogoro joints, hotels, and a sizable number of shops in these communities are ready accomplices of these cultists in these communities.

The University College Hospital (UCH) has declared that since the Oyo state Government did not pay any money into its  Treasury Single Account(TSA) no money was received by the hospital.

The UCH made this declaration last Saturday, through its  Public Relations Officer, Mr. Toye Akinirinola(PRO)during a radio program monitored in Ibadan, Nigeria.

''If you are paying any money to the UCH, you have to pay into the UCH TS Account and send us a financial pay advisory. Since this has not been done by the Oyo state Government, the state Government should not say it has given the UCH  any money.''

''We still  insist that we  have not collected  any money from the Oyo State Government. There are no contradictions about this. On the N118  million, the UCH  in anyway, should not be connected. We must take every step to make sure that the UCH is not roped in. We received 250 pieces of Protective Equipment valued at N800,00. The Oyo  State Government said that we should do a shopping list  for them, but as I speak, it is only 250 pieces  of Protective  Equipment they have given to us,'' Mr. Akinrinola disclosed. 

Cultists who pose as okada riders have continuously terrorized residents and commuters along the Molusi, Olorunsogo, Molete, Scout camp, Felele areas of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

The cultists led by one hoodlum, popularly known as Brother Bayo,an okada rider always on blue hooded top to shield his identity, a vulcanizer, and a spare parts seller, whose shops are at the ASAS bus stop junction of Molusi street, have their base at the ASAS bus-stop/Molusi street junction.

The criminals intimidate, threaten attack and dispossess unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables, at night, since there are no street lights in theses areas.

Expectedly, the residents and other members of the public are helpless,while the connivance of respected members of these communities with the hoodlums has greatly frustrated actions against them.

Sadly, the law enforcement agency saddled with the responsibility of ensuring sanity in this category of transportation focus on pecuniary interests at the expense of a safe society.