Ilesa- 28/08/2025 - osunstate.gov.ng

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has flagged off the enrollment of Inmates in the state into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme.

At the event which took place at the Ilesa Medium Correctional Centre of the Nigeria Correctional Services, Governor Adeleke described inmates at correctional facilities as bona-fide citizens of Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.

He noted further that his administration does not discriminate on any basis; whether political affiliation, tribe, religion or gender.

He said, "It gives me a great pleasure to unveil another laudable initiative of our administration, which is the free enrolment of inmates of Correctional Centres in Osun State into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme.

"We regard inmates in our correctional facilities as bona-fide citizens of this State and of our country. Their healthcare and general wellbeing must remain a matter of priority. As you must all have observed, our administration does not discriminate on any basis; whether political affiliation, tribe, religion or gender, in extending dividends of democracy to all citizens and residents of Osun State.

"In the past, our administration approved the free enrollment of over 26,000 pensioners into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme. This pace-setting gesture has been emulated by many States and more recently by the Federal Government.

"Again, we approved the free enrolment of persons living with disabilities into OHIS. Beyond enrolment, we provided them with life support equipment such as motorised wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks, visual aids, hearing aids and more to make life more comfortable for them.

"In addition, we ordered the eye screening of over 450,000 pupils in our public primary and secondary schools to enhance the academic performance of our students. Out of these, 43,000 students who required corrective glasses were provided for them free of charge. Those who needed medication received it freely and those requiring surgeries also benefited at no cost. This intervention has not only brought huge financial relief to parents and guardians but also secured a brighter future for these leaders of tomorrow.

"To further motivate our healthcare providers, we have ensured prompt payment of salaries and allowances, honoured training entitlements and invested in human capacity development within the health sector.

"Today, we extend our healthcare coverage to inmates of correctional centres as a demonstration of our concern for the health and wellbeing of every segment of our society.

"Many have asked how we are achieving all these despite the State?s lean financial situation especially in the last seven months. The answer is simple. Aside from being strong believers in God, we embrace transparency and priority spending in the management of state funds. We have raised our internally generated revenue and we judiciously manage our special project account.

"Permit me to appreciate the Nigerian Bar Association, our royal fathers, the various labour unions, the clerics and various strata of the society for their sustained appeal to the Federal Government and the Presidency for the release of Osun local government withheld allocations. The huge public support in favour of the Osun state government strengthens our faith in the legality and morality of our position on the local government leadership question."

Earlier in his remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Adekunle Akindele declared the Governor is often described as a trailblazer adding that it is the reason the Federal government emulated Osun in terms of enrollment of pensioners into health insurance scheme as well renovation of primary healthcare centres.

"Today is a further testament of his excellency's commitment to the well-being of Osun people. Governor Adeleke is even concerned about the vulnerable people and that is why The Governor is often described as a trailblazer.

"That is why the federal government is often emulating what we are doing in Osun. Long before the federal government conceived the idea of renovating Primary Healthcare Centres, we have done 200 in Osun, long before the Federal Government conceived the idea of enrolling pensioners into the National Health Insurance scheme, Osun has enrolled over 23,000 pensioners", he said.

In his own speech, the Controller of Corrections, Osun Command, Olalekan Rotimi Oluwadele noted that the Governor's presence at the event is a testament of his commitment to the welfare of inmates.

"Your excellency, upon my assumption of duty as the State Controller in September 2024, I visited critical stakeholders in the state including the Executive Secretary, Osun Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Rasaq Akindele and I emphasized majorly on the enrollment of our inmates and he promised to discuss with you sir, as a listening Governor, he convened your message back to us that you had expressly and graciously approved the enrollment of 1,200 inmates into OHIS which we are witnessing today.

"We extend our heartfelt appreciation to you, Mr. Governor, for your unwavering support to the Nigerian Correctional Service,Osun State Command. Your gesture of granting amnesty to 54 Inmates in December 2024 was a beacon of hope and a demonstration of your compassion. We also thank you for renovating our operational vehicles and sending a state government delegation for a solidarity visit following the escape of 7 inmates on May 20,2025.

"On behalf of the Controller General of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche MFR, mni, we welcome you and members of your cabinet to Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ilesa. Your visit today reaffirms your administration's commitment to the well-being of all citizens, including those in our care? he noted.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, Osun Health Insurance Agency, Dr Rasaq Akintunde Akindele appreciated Governor Adeleke for the attention given to the health sector in Osun through the Osun Health Insurance Agency noting that the agency is successful today because of Governor Adeleke's support.

"We appreciate His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke for his commitment to the development of the Osun Health Sector through the Osun Health Insurance Agency.

"This agency is successful today because the Governor has given it tremendous support?, he noted.

Other dignitaries present at the event include, Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt.Hon Adewale Egbedun; Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Tola Faseru; Commissioner for Government House and Protocol, Hon. Soji Ajeigbe; Commissioner for Education, Hon Dipo Eluwole; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon Bunmi Jenyo, Special Adviser Primary Healthcare, Dr Micheal Oyerinde; Board Chairman, Osun Health Insurance Agency, Dr Muyiwa Olamideji; Members representing Atakumosa/West, Ilesa East, Ilesa West at the Osun State House of Assembly among many others.

Representing the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland was the Ogboni of Ipole Ijesha, Oba Oyebade Oyeleye who led other traditional rulers in Ijesaland.

Signed

Mallam Olawale Rasheed

Spokesperson to the Governor

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