NUP elects new executives in Oyo State
By Suleiman Shehu
The Oyo State Government on Friday in Ibadan reiterated its commitment to pay all the arrears of pensioners’ gratuities in the state before it ends its tenure in 2027.
Mr Bayo Titilola-Sodo, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Labour Matters, stated this at the inauguration of newly elected executives of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Council.
Titilola-Sodo, who commended the union for organising a successful election and supporting the Seyi Makinde-led administration, said the state would continue to prioritise pensioners’ welfare.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the new executives were elected at the union’s 2024 delegates conference, held at its secretariat, Agbarigo, Ibadan.
NAN reports the positions of the chairman, treasurer, auditor, trustees I and II and 13 ex-officio members were unopposed.
However, the only office contested for, between Mr Frances Ogunlowo and Mr Joseph Oladipo, was that of the vice chairman.
The Returning Officer of the election, Mr Bunmi Ogunkolade, thereafter, declared Oladipo as the winner with 163 votes to Ogunlowo’s 11 votes.
Ogunkolade, representing the national body of NUP, announced Pastor James Osuntade as the Chairman; Mr Olusegun Olubiyi as the Treasurer and Mr Kolawole Ayodabo as Trustee I.
Other officials are Mr Adeniyi Olojede as Trustee II and Mrs Aderonke Maboreje as the Auditor.
The returning officer later administered an oath of office to all the newly elected officers.
In his acceptance speech, Osuntade pleaded for the support of all members and executives, promising to work hard in collaboration with the executives to address the union’s demands.
Earlier, the immediate past chairman, Chief Isiaka Abolade, thanked God for a successful tenure and appreciated all members and executives for their unalloyed support and commitment to his administration.
Abolade said his eight-year tenure recorded numerous success stories such as the inauguration of the Pensioners’ House, Pensioners’ Radio Station and Pensioners’ Hospital among others.
While commending the state governor for the prompt payment of pensions, he urged him to yield to other demands of the union which include ongoing negotiation of minimum wage and pensions.
The state NUP Secretary, Dr Olusegun Abatan, said the state government had met about 65 per cent of their demands, such as the payment of arrears of workers forcefully retired in 2002.
Abatan, however, solicited financial support for the new Pensioners’ Hospital, inaugurated on Dec.4 for it to discharge its services optimally.
“Our hospital needs an ambulance and solar urgently,” Abatan said.
NAN reports the new executives will pioneer the affairs of the council for the next four years.
