…the statement by some doctors that Aketi hates medical profession is not true
Aketi has a daughter, sister and many of his family members as medical doctors, he has nothing against the profession, 3 out of 4 permanent secretaries from health sector are Medical doctors appointed by Aketi’s government
INTRODUCTION
There is a popular Yoruba proverb which says, a man that doesn’t have your type will not know your value ( eni ti o ni iru eni , kin mo yi eni) . Arakunrin Akeredolu has his daughter, Dr. Teni Akeredolu and one of his blood sisters as medical doctors. Also, many of his relatives are into the profession, this has confirmed that Aketi has nothing against the profession and he will do everything humanly possible to maintain a good relationship with these noble people having known what his relatives went through in terms of sacrifices before they could get to this level.
I personally watched a video being circulated on social media by some people in which Aketi was quoted to be talking to the doctors in state civil service of their refusal to receive percentage salaries in the state. The Ondo state governor, who recently marked 100 days of his second term, as one of the lined up programs, he had a chat with Ondo state people in Yoruba language on live program being covered by many radio and television stations, both private and public in the state.
In the heat of the program, Arakunrin said categorically that doctors in the state are not different from other professionals who also show understand with his government, asking people to help him talk to them to shift ground on their decision not to take percentage salaries.
It should be noted that the state government when it came on board paid the state work force six months arears of the seven months owned by his predecessor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko’s administration. Arakunrin was paying when due in the state until the onset of Covid 19 that crippled our economy and recently , things started picking economically but not yet uhuru, Nigeria’s economy still has a long way to recover.
It should be noted that Nigerian doctors who are practicing in the country currently are heroes and heroines, the present health system is not encouraging to reasonable doctors and they are the most sought for in developed countries like United Kingdom and other European countries, with better pays and packages, those who are still practicing in Nigeria now deserve commendation for their patriotism and should be accorded the due respect where necessary. There is a need for Ondo state doctors in state civil service to understand the unfeigned nature of our Mr. governor in expressing his disappointment at the association, not that he was attacking them but he wants the noble people to show understanding with his government.
SOME OF THE MISCONSTRUED ACTIONS OF ARAKUNRIN
Before the last governorship election in the state, there was a recorded voice message of our governor, Mr. Akeredolu Oluwarotimi SAN in which Aketi gave warnings to the kings of Ikale areas over the wanton destruction of properties in these areas because of land dispute between Ikale and Odigbo people, as we all know, no governor will be happy to see senseless killings and breaking down of law and order in his state. The political desperados twisted everything and claimed that Aketi was attacking the Kings of Yoruba land, that our Arakunrin had no respect for the kings in the state and culture of our people.
When these people were peddling this lie, some of us who know Aketi to an extent debunked it as usual, citing my personal experience with Aketi when he showed due respect to Alani of Idoani, Gen. Olufemi Olutoye, I’m just like a personal son to this retired General turned king , in one of the outings with him to governor’s office , the respect accorded this king by prostrating for him, which he also did for Deji of Akure openly in one of the public events recently, shows Aketi has greater respect for our traditional institutions than the political desperados who wanted to smear Aketi’s image by making mountain out of mole hill in the Aketi’s issue with Abodi of Ikale land. As God would have it, the matter died naturally, today, Aketi and the king are best of friends in a father to son relationship and won massively in Ikale lands in the last election.
Now, the oppositions in the state are now circulating the video on various social media i.e the video of the state wide interaction of Aketi with the citizens where he said the doctors are as important to him like other professionals in the state civil service, that he will not place one profession over another in giving what belongs to them. I believe Mr. governor’s media aides will come out and sensitise the people because Aketi that we know will not threaten or belittle any profession under any circumstance and will treat everyone equally.
The notion that Aketi hates medical doctors is not true, out of four health practitioners who are permanent secretaries in Ondo state, Dr. Durojaye ( Medical doctor) Dr. Ikuomola ( Medical doctor), Dr. Akanbiemu ( Medical doctor) and Pharm. Mrs Aladenola ( Pharmacist), considering the ratio 3:1, I think our Mr. governor is fair enough to the medical doctors in the state , we must learn to carry other health professionals along as the leaders in the health sector.
Mr governor’s fairness by ensuring right thing was done should not be taken as hatred for the profession. All the three medical doctors who are permanent secretaries today in Ondo state civil service were appointed by Aketi’s government.
IN CONCLUSION
For Aketi to have trained his sister and daughter as doctors, it shows he has nothing against any profession in the state and the bone of contention here is the dwindling economy of the nation that has made the regular payment of salary an herculean task for the government of the day. My prayer is that God will return the good days to us and our Mr. governor will pay the state civil servants as at when due which has been Aketi’s earnest desire.
By now, the Ondo state people should understand our Mr. governor that he doesn’t know how to pretend or feign with the truth but very frank , blunt , bold and courageous, any Mr. Perfect may claim this to be a deficiency on Mr. governor’s side but I would want someone without any deficiency to throw the first stone at Aketi . The state civil servants and doctors should not listen to the failed oppositions in the state who are looking for all means to pull down Aketi’s government, I can assure these enemies of good things being done by Aketi in state that they will definitely fail because to whom God has blessed, no man can curse.
Dr. Akeredolu O.N
Exclusive Reporters 