Stakeholders advocate flexible health insurance, welfare improvement for teachers, pensioners

Stakeholders advocate flexible health insurance, welfare improvement for teachers, pensioners

By

Hannah Omowumi

Stakeholders have advocated for flexible health insurance, welfare improvement for teachers and pensioners in Oyo State. 

The call came during the 60th Birthday and Retirement Service of popular social commentator, Stephen Itanola Oyedele held at Community Secondary School, Adegbayi, Ibadan on Saturday. 

Speaking at the plenary session featuring media and education experts including former Prince 89.7 FM's Correspondent, Olawale Ogunbusola, Lekan Lasisi, Nike Stella Adewunmi, and Mrs Aroojo, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State, Egbeda Chapter, Mr. Oyetunde Oyerinde, who described the retired civil servant as ever trustworthy, a historian and a social defence who will missed for his always inclusivity and involvement in peace keeping, noted that the government should further help to improve the health package and conducive environment for workers, particularly the teachers who are believed to be the nation builders. 

Oyerinde who commended the prompt payment of workers' salaries by the Seyi Makinde led government, condemned the surge in the health insurance scheme to 7.5percent on teachers' monthly salaries on deduction, saying such decision may harden the livelihood of workers. 

Hr noted that while deduction on health package is necessary, it should be considerable as to afford the affected workers live comfortably through another months. He added that the state government should imbibe the National Health Insurance Scheme by the federal government, saying despite standing on 15 percent deduction, it covers treatment of terminal diseases, surgery and other critical health complications. 

While appreciating Oyo State government for including health insurance beneficiary and one or two family members, the teachers's leader appealed to the government to reduce the 7.5percent health deduction downward as never to complicate the socio-economies of young teachers who are posted in the remote and less cities stations.

" We plead with the government of Governor Makinde to give the 7.5percent health deduction a concerned attention. Many of out workers in the remote areas and less city who spend over #3,000 naira daily on transport fares will be more affected. We believe in the administration of of Governor Makinde. However, the 7.5 percent hralth insurance deductions should be reduced affordable as not to further worsen the economies of workers", he said.

In his tribute, the chairman of the event and former principal, Loyola College, Ibadan, Dr. Tope Onipede described Stephen Itanola Oyedele as a true teacher, a family man, a religious leader and a homosapien in human, said retirement is divine and never a death sentence. 

The retired education expert calls retired persons to prioritize their health, live within their expenses and remain socially engaging for increased life expectancy. 

Addressing the newsmen, the popular social commentator and retired civil servant, Stephen Itanola Oyedele appreciated God for well times spent in the service of Oyo State and Nigeria. 

While urging the government to digitalize pensions and gratuity for prompt payment, called other career workers to imbibe diligence, focus and selflessness for a remarkable future. 

Earlier in their various contributions, Principal of Community Secondary School, Adegbayi(snr.) Ibadan, Mrs. Adeagbo, Director, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Tosin Taiwo, wife of the retired civil servant, Mrs. Victory Oyedele and State Co-ordinator, Bible Life Holiness Church, Nigeria, Pastor J.A Adeoye, described Oyedele as a good example of dedication, mentorship, commitment and an infallible legacy. 

The event which featured plenary session, tributes, cultural display, mimicking, gift exchanges and cake cutting, gathered past and serving teachers , professionals, family, friends, relatives and Old School Students.