The Special Adviser on Health to the Ondo State Governor, Professor Simidele Odimayo, has reassured the public of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s unwavering commitment to a seamless and crisis-free transition for the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital.
Speaking in response to concerns raised by the Akure Youths Coalition regarding the implementation process, Professor Odimayo clarified that his recent administrative actions, including official engagements in Abuja, were strictly directed by Governor Aiyedatiwa to protect the livelihoods of state healthcare workers.
Safeguarding Workers and Services
According to Professor Odimayo, the governor’s mandate regarding the federal takeover relies on three clear pillars:
Zero Service Disruption: Ensuring that healthcare delivery to the public remains uninterrupted throughout the transition.
Job Protection: Guaranteeing that no Ondo State worker unfairly loses their job or livelihood.
Academic Support: Facilitating the successful and robust take-off of FUTA’s medical school.
Odimayo explained that his recent trip to the Federal Ministry of Health in Abuja was prompted by urgent complaints from local labor unions and staff members who found themselves excluded from the initial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) capturing exercise.
”I receive so many calls daily from people complaining that they were excluded and that their names were not on the list,” Odimayo stated. “Mr. Governor does not want anything that will create problems for our people. That was why he asked me to go and find out what happened.”
A Multi-Billion Naira State Investment
Dismissing claims that he was obstructing the project, the Health Adviser emphasized that the Ondo State Government has already committed massive resources to ensure the hospital’s success, including prime land and infrastructure valued at over ₦100 billion.
He noted that nobody who understands the immense labor and dedication required to secure the FUTA Teaching Hospital project would want to see it fail. Instead, the administration’s proactive intervention is aimed entirely at correcting administrative gaps in the staff list and addressing the genuine anxieties of workers.
Professor Odimayo assured all stakeholders that his findings in Abuja would bring clarity and secure the best possible outcome for the state. He urged the public to remain calm, stating confidently, “Everybody should relax; there is no crisis.”
