In a show of solidarity and appreciation, health workers across Ekiti State have thrown their weight behind Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s bid for a second term, citing far-reaching reforms and improvements in the state’s healthcare sector under his leadership.
The endorsement came during a statewide assembly of health professionals held at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in Ado-Ekiti, where representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and other allied health unions unanimously praised the governor’s achievements.
Dr. Tunde Adebayo, chairman of the Ekiti NMA, commended Governor Oyebanji for what he described as “an unprecedented investment in healthcare infrastructure and human resources.” According to him, “For years, our sector faced neglect, but Governor Oyebanji brought hope. We now have better-equipped facilities, prompt salary payments, recruitment of medical personnel, and improved working conditions.”
Under Oyebanji’s administration, the government renovated and re-equipped over 40 primary healthcare centers, revamped the State Specialist Hospital in Ikere, and launched the Ekiti Telemedicine Initiative—an innovation lauded for bridging access gaps in remote communities.
Mrs. Folake Ogundipe, a senior nurse in Ijero General Hospital, echoed the sentiment, stating: “Before now, we struggled with outdated equipment and staff shortages. Today, we have modern delivery rooms, functioning diagnostic machines, and more nurses on ground. These changes are saving lives daily.”
The introduction of the Ekiti Health Workforce Retention Scheme, which offers incentives to rural health workers, has been particularly praised for reducing the exodus of trained professionals. Additionally, the Oyebanji administration increased health sector funding in the state budget from 8% to 13%—the highest allocation in Ekiti’s history.
“Governor Oyebanji’s policies are not just about buildings and machines. He has restored dignity to our profession,” said Dr. Bose Aluko, a pediatric consultant at EKSUTH. “We believe in continuity, and that’s why we’re endorsing him for a second term.”
In his address during the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, expressed gratitude to the workers for their dedication and affirmed the government’s commitment to deepening the reforms. “What we have started is only the foundation. With a second term, Governor Oyebanji intends to build a world-class healthcare system for all Ekiti residents,” he said.
As election season gains momentum, the endorsement from the health sector is seen as a major boost for the governor’s re-election campaign. For many observers, the support reflects not just political alignment but a genuine recognition of tangible impact—proof that governance, when people-focused, earns its own reward.
In the words of one hospital cleaner at the event, “Governor Oyebanji made us feel seen. That’s why we stand with him.”
