Olatunji commissions Oluyole Teachers Housing Estate, says Makinde’s workers’ welfare policies made it possible

The Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, has attributed the successful completion of the Oluyole Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Cooperative Investment and Credit Society (CICS) Housing Estate to Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to workers’ welfare and prompt payment of salaries.

Olatunji stated this on Thursday during the commissioning of the Oluyole NUT CICS Housing Estate at the Teachers’ Cooperative House, Omiyale, Aba-Alfa, Olomi, Ibadan, as part of activities marking the 28th Annual General Meeting of the cooperative society under the leadership of its outgoing President, Comrade Mrs. Fashola Abosede.

The council chairman, who officially commissioned the housing estate, described Governor Makinde as a worker-friendly leader whose people-centred policies have restored dignity to public service and empowered workers economically.

According to him, the housing project could only become a reality because teachers now receive their salaries regularly, enabling them to save consistently through cooperative societies and invest in life-changing projects.

“If workers were still being owed salaries, they would not have been able to save consistently through cooperative societies to finance a project of this magnitude,” Olatunji said.

He added that the governor’s unrelenting commitment to workers’ welfare had created the enabling environment for teachers to thrive economically and execute developmental projects.

Reflecting on the transformation in the teaching profession, Olatunji noted that the era when landlords openly discriminated against teachers had become history.

“Gone are the days when landlords and house agents displayed notices saying, ‘House to Let — Not for Teachers.’ Today, teachers are respected professionals, and landlords are proud to rent their houses to them because of the improved welfare and dignity restored to the profession under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration,” he said.

Also speaking, the representative of the Oyo State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Esther Awoyinka, praised Olatunji for promoting a conducive environment for workers and prioritising their welfare.

She described the council chairman as a worker-friendly administrator whose leadership has continued to encourage and inspire initiatives that improve the socio-economic wellbeing of teachers.

Awoyinka equally commended members of the cooperative society for their unity, commitment and financial discipline, which culminated in the successful completion of the housing estate.

She described the project as a remarkable achievement and urged other local governments and cooperative societies across Oyo State to emulate the initiative.

“Oluyole Local Government has once again demonstrated that cooperative societies can deliver impactful projects when members are united and committed to a common goal,” she said.

Earlier, the outgoing President of Oluyole Ibadan NUT CICS Ltd, Comrade Mrs. Fashola Abosede, described the commissioning as a defining moment in the history of the cooperative.

She said the housing estate symbolised the collective determination of members to improve their welfare through unity, prudent management and shared vision.

According to her, the project was the product of years of dedication, teamwork and the unwavering support of members, the executive committee, management staff, community leaders and other stakeholders.

“This achievement is not just the completion of buildings but the fulfilment of a vision conceived to improve the quality of life of our members. It demonstrates what can be achieved through collective commitment and purposeful leadership,” she said.

Abosede expressed appreciation to members of the cooperative, management staff led by Mrs. Bunmi Gunsanya, pioneer chairman Mr. Olukutan, benefactors and other supporters for their contributions towards the successful execution of the project.

She assured members that the cooperative would continue to pursue programmes and investments aimed at improving their economic wellbeing.

Dignitaries at the event included the Vice Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. Niyi Akorede; Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Cooperative Federation (OSCOFED), Comrade Ademola Wasiu; Education Secretary of Oluyole Local Government Universal Basic Education Authority (LGUBEA), Comrade Waheed Ganiyu; NUT Chairman in Oluyole Local Government, Comrade Akintunde Akintonde; Chairman of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Pastor Akintunde Richard; members of the CICS Board of Trustees, community leaders, cooperative members and other stakeholders.