The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has given approval for the appointment of Dr. Michael Olumide Gbala as the Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) for the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo.

A statement released to media organisations revealed that, in view of the ongoing restructuring of the teaching hospital, the following have also been appointed:

1. Dr. Adesina Lawrence Akintan is appointed as the Acting Medical Director of Akure Complex (State Specialist Hospital, Akure).

2. Dr. Adeola Oladele Akintade is appointed as Acting Medical Director of the Ondo Complex (General Hospital, Ondo).

The statement issued by Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, disclosed that the appointments take immediate effect and shall be for a probation period of six months after which a substantive CMD will be appointed over a fully restructured UNIMEDTH in line with government’s desire to deliver quality, effective and efficient healthcare services to the good people of the State.

While congratulating the new appointees, the Governor expects the appointees to deliver their best for the people.

The leadership of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Ondo State Owned Tertiary Institutions, has review the level of compliance with the resolutions reached with the Ondo State Government on their agitations.

In a letter written to Governor Aiyedatiwa dated April 4, 2024 , signed by Comrade Tayo Ogungbeni the Chairman, JAC-ODSTI and

Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi the Secretary, JAC-ODSTI revealed that the Ondo State government is yet to fulfill it’s promises to the body.

The leadership of JAC noted that despite the meetings and intervention of well meaning stakeholders and government officials which led to the suspension of the previously held two weeks industrial action on 12th March, 2024 based on the promises that the Wage Award would be paid with the payment of March, 2024 salaries, none is forthcoming.

Read the full letter below:

His Excellency, Hon. Lucky O. Ayedatiwa.

The Executive Governor,

Governor’s Office,

Alagbaka Quarters,

Akure,

Ondo State.

*REMINDER ON PAYMENT OF WAGE AWARD TO THE STAFF OF ONDO STATE OWNED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.*

PREAMBLE:

The leadership of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Ondo State Owned Tertiary Institutions met at Akure to review the level of compliance with resolutions reached with the Ondo State Government on our agitations in respect of the following:

1. Payment of wage award of Thirty-Five Thousand Naira (#35,000) to our members.

2. Implementation of minimum wage of 2019

3. 100% Increment in monthly subventions to our institutions

The leadership of JAC noted that despite the meetings and intervention of well meaning stakeholders and government officials which led to the suspension of our two weeks old industrial action on 12th March, 2024 based on the promises that our Wage Award would be paid with the payment of March, 2024 salaries.

We observed with disappointment that as today, nothing has been done to pay the Wage award as promised by the state government despite several assurances that it would be paid by March, 2024.

It is noteworthy that other civil servants in the state had collected the 5th tranche of of their Wage Award without any consideration for those of us in the tertiary institutions throughout the state.

We, the entire members of SSANU, NASU and NAAT could no longer withstand the present harsh economic situation which the failure to pay this Wage Award has subjected us to.

In view of this latest development, we wish to state as follows:

1. The leadership of JAC of ODSTI once again reminded the State Government of their commitment and assurance to pay our outstanding five tranches of Wage Award to enable us be at par with other civil servants in Ondo State.

2. We wish to state that failure to pay us our Wage Award as promised could lead to industrial disharmony in the Ondo State Owned Tertiary Institutions .

3. ⁠We shall not hesitate to resume our suspended industrial action within 7 Days of this notice.

Thank you.

Comrade Tayo Ogungbeni

Chairman, JAC-ODSTI

Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi

Secretary, JAC-ODSTI

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, appointed the management team of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

This was made known in a statement released in Abuja by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

According to the statement, he said the appointment is in line with his determination to secure Nigeria’s socio-economic future by ensuring sustainable higher education and critical skill development for all Nigerian students and the youth.

Ngelale said with the appointment of the management team, the President expects that the necessary apparatuses are expeditiously put in place for the effective take-off of this pivotal Fund for the immediate and lasting benefit of Nigerian students and families in all parts of the country.

Below are the NELFUND management team

(1) Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr – Managing Director/CEO

(2) Mr. Frederick Oluwafemi Akinfala – Executive Director, Finance and Administration

(3) Mr. Mustapha Iyal – Executive Director, Operations.

Tinubu Signs National Student Loan Bill Into Law

Meanwhile, President Tinubu, on Wednesday, signed the National Student Loan Re-enactment bill into law.

The President signed the bill in a short ceremony at the State House on Wednesday in the presence of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Others were the Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa; the Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Olawande, the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, and other government officials and aides to the president.

Tinubu initially signed the student loan bill into law back in June 2023, to offer financial assistance to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.

While the bill was signed earlier, its implementation has faced delays due to various issues hindering its rollout.