Healthcare professionals across Ekiti State have openly endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term, applauding what they described as transformative and people-oriented reforms in the state’s health sector.
The endorsement came during a solidarity walk on Tuesday, where hundreds of health workers ranging from doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to midwives, laboratory scientists, and environmental health officers marched from Fajuyi Pavilion to the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti. The event culminated in the presentation of a symbolic plaque titled “Health Sector Appreciates His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji.”
The workers credited the administration with sweeping improvements across the healthcare landscape, citing upgrades in infrastructure, consistent salary payments, recruitment drives, and better overall working conditions. Many described the past three years as a turning point in the state’s approach to healthcare delivery.
Speaking during the event, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman in Ekiti, Olatunde Kolapo, who is also a pharmacist, lauded the governor’s dedication to workers’ welfare. Kolapo highlighted the settlement of salary arrears owed to local and state government employees, including retirees, as well as the approval and implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage.
Kolapo praised Oyebanji’s support for tertiary education and healthcare, noting that subventions to state-owned institutions had been raised twice under the current administration. “Governor Oyebanji has done very well in the last three years. We are confident he will do even more with another four years,” he declared.
Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, described the governor’s tenure as a “golden era” for healthcare in Ekiti. Representing the state’s health workforce, Filani outlined major policy shifts that have had a direct impact on service delivery and staff morale.
He detailed key achievements, including the recruitment of over 250 health workers, rehabilitation of 11 general hospitals, and renovation of more than 100 primary healthcare centres across the state. He also referenced investments in staff accommodation, solar energy, ICT, and clean water infrastructure as evidence of the administration’s commitment to building a resilient health system.
Filani praised the administration for implementing long-awaited salary adjustments and hazard allowances in line with national standards (CONMESS and CONHESS), and for addressing pension backlogs dating back over a decade.
He described the Ulerawa scheme which guarantees a defined healthcare package for every resident as a hallmark of inclusive governance. Additionally, he highlighted the strategic upgrade of Ikole Specialist Hospital to Federal Medical Centre status, calling it a significant boost to healthcare access and regional development.
The governor, represented at the event by Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro, expressed gratitude for the show of support and promised continued investment in health infrastructure and workforce welfare.
Adubiaro remarked that the overwhelming turnout and endorsement reflect public satisfaction with the administration’s performance. “They’ve seen the difference, and they want continuity. Governor Oyebanji will not let them down,” she assured.
The event served both as a gesture of appreciation from health workers and a political signal ahead of the next electoral cycle, reinforcing the governor’s popularity among critical sectors of the state workforce.
