The immediate past Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Ondo State Chapter, High Chief Bakare Akuresanmi; has declared his total support for the decision of the Ondo State Governor; Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; in elongating the tenure of the the of Service; Mr. Dare Aragbaye.
He made this declaration and also talked on some other sundry issues, in an exclusive chat with Presentng in Akure.
His words:
“I don’t see anything bad in that. Even, it happens at the national level where the tenure of the Head of Service of the federation was elongated. So, if you see any Head of Service who is performing, there is no problem in his tenure being elongated; as long as the man there is performing and is labour-friendly. So, I am in support of him still being the Head of Service”.
He also admonished government at all levels not to think of slashing workers’ salaries at this trying time where the fall in revenue base of the government is obvious; owing to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, he advised governments at all levels to think of diversification of generating revenues, apart from just oil.
He showered praises on Governor Akeredolu for approving the granting of hazard allowances for health workers in the state. He said this is a step in the right direction to motivate the health workers who are at the forefront of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. He noted that other frontliners in the war against the coronavirus; like the Journalists; should also be availed the opportunity of benefitting from this hazard allowances.
He pleaded with medical personnel to stay safe while trying to save others.
“As a former Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria in Ondo State, I still remain part and parcel of them, and I will say, my people, please focus primarily on the security and safety of your lives. Save yourself first before saving others. What I am saying in essence is that my people (Health Workers) should do their legitimate duties in a way that it will not affect their own lives because no amount of money being paid to them can commensurate with their lives. So, by the grace of Almighty God, none of them will be victims of this Covid-19”
In the same vein, the current Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union in Ondo State; Comrade Emmanuel Fakilede; reiterated the plea with members of his Union to be careful when handling patients of the coronavirus so that they won’t get infected in the line of duty. He also enjoined residents of the state to take to the advice of the government by being hygienic, use of nose-masks in public places and observe social distancing; all in the bid to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
