Adeleke Flags Off Inmates Enrollment Into Osun Health Insurance Scheme

– Approves Free Surgeries at Ilesa Custodial Centre

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke on Thursday, officially flagged off the enrollment of 1,200 inmates into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) and the commencement of free surgery operations for inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ilesa.

The initiative, according to the Executive Secretary, Osun Health Insurance Agency, Dr Rasaq Akintunde Akindele, marks a significant milestone in the state government’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare and rehabilitation of persons in custody.

In his welcome address, Akindele appreciated Governor Adeleke for the attention given to the health sector in Osun through the Osun Health Insurance Agency noting that the agency is successful today because of Governor Adeleke’s support.

“We appreciate His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke for his commitment to the development of the Osun Health Sector through the Osun Health Insurance Agency.

“This agency is successful today because the Governor has given it tremendous support”, he noted.

Speaking, Governor Adeleke said the programme was in response to the passionate appeal of the Controller of Corrections in Osun State, Mr Olalekan Rotimi Oluwadele (MNIM) during his courtesy visit to the Government House.

Adeleke said the present administration regards inmates in the correctional facilities as bona-fide citizens of this State and of the country.

He added that: “Their healthcare and general wellbeing must remain a matter of priority. As you must all have observed, our administration does not discriminate on any basis; whether political affiliation, tribe, religion or gender in extending the dividends of democracy to all citizens and residents of Osun State.

“In the recent past, our administration approved the free enrolment of over 26,000 pensioners into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme. This pace-setting gesture has been emulated by many States and more recently by the Federal Government.

“Again, we approved the free enrolment of persons living with disabilities into OHIS. Beyond enrolment, we provided them with life support equipment such as motorised wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks, visual aids, hearing aids and more to make life more comfortable for them.

“In addition, we ordered the eye screening of over 450,000 pupils in our public primary and secondary schools to enhance the academic performance of our students. Out of these, 43,000 students who required corrective glasses were provided for them free of charge. Those who needed medication received it freely and those requiring surgeries also benefited at no cost. This intervention has not only brought huge financial relief to parents and guardians but also secured a brighter future for these leaders of tomorrow.

“To further motivate our healthcare providers, we have ensured prompt payment of salaries and allowances, honoured training entitlements and invested in human capacity development within the health sector.”

Welcoming the governor, the Osun State Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), CC Olalekan Rotimi Oluwadele, described Adeleke’s intervention as historic, noting that the enrollment and surgeries were approved following engagements with the Osun Health Insurance Agency.

“Your presence here today is a testament to your commitment to the welfare and rehabilitation of our inmates,” Oluwadele said, while recalling that Adeleke had earlier granted amnesty to 53 inmates in December 2024, renovated correctional vehicles, and sent a government delegation after the escape of seven inmates in May 2025.

The Controller also commended the federal government’s ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, particularly the increase of daily feeding allowance for inmates to N1,125.

However, Oluwadele appealed for more state support, highlighting areas where assistance was needed. These include the installation of barbed wire and CCTV cameras for enhanced security, provision of solar power, supply of food items during festive periods, tools for skilled inmates, amnesty programmes, and computers for educational programmes at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He also requested an armoured personnel carrier for custodial centres in Ilesa and Ile-Ife, and funds for aftercare services for discharged inmates.

“Your leadership and generosity have made a significant impact on our inmates’ lives, in the spirit of Oliver Twist, we humbly ask for more.”Oluwadele told the governor

The ceremony was attended by members of Adeleke’s cabinet, officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service, and representatives of the Osun Health Insurance Agency.