The Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, has commissioned the Oluyole Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Cooperative Investment and Credit Society (CICS) Housing Estate, attributing the project’s success to Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to workers’ welfare and prompt payment of salaries.
Olatunji made the remarks on Thursday during the commissioning of the housing estate at the Teachers’ Cooperative House, Omiyale, Aba-Alfa, Olomi, Ibadan. The event formed part of activities marking the 28th Annual General Meeting of the cooperative society led by its outgoing President, Comrade Mrs. Fashola Abosede.
Speaking at the ceremony, the council chairman described Governor Makinde as a worker-friendly leader whose policies have restored dignity to public service and empowered workers economically.
According to him, the housing estate became possible because teachers now receive their salaries regularly, enabling them to save consistently through cooperative societies and invest in projects that improve their standard of living.
“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 sustained commitment to workers’ welfare had created an enabling environment for teachers to thrive financially and execute meaningful development projects.
Olatunji also noted that the teaching profession had regained its respect, recalling a time when landlords openly discriminated against teachers.
“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.
In her remarks, the representative of the Oyo State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Esther Awoyinka, commended Olatunji for creating a conducive environment for workers and prioritising their welfare.
She also praised members of the cooperative society for their unity, financial discipline and commitment, describing the housing estate as a remarkable achievement and urging other cooperative societies across the state to emulate the initiative.
Earlier, the outgoing President of Oluyole Ibadan NUT CICS Ltd, Comrade Mrs. Fashola Abosede, described the commissioning as a landmark achievement in the history of the cooperative.
She said the housing estate reflected the collective vision, dedication and prudent management of members over the years.
“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, the management team led by Mrs. Bunmi Gunsanya, pioneer chairman Mr. Olukutan, benefactors and other stakeholders for their support in delivering the project.
She reaffirmed the cooperative’s commitment to pursuing programmes and investments that would further improve the economic wellbeing of its members.
Among dignitaries at the event were 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 the Oluyole Local Government Universal Basic Education Authority (LGUBEA), Comrade Waheed Ganiyu; Oluyole NUT Chairman, 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.
