The federal lawmaker representing Akoko North/West of Ondo State, Honourable Ifeoluwa Ehindero, has unveiled plans to sponsor a bill for mandatory health insurance for Nigerian journalists, citing the occupational hazards they face.
Ehindero made this announcement during a media parley with the Association of Ondo Media Practitioners (AOMP) as part of activities marking his first anniversary in the National Assembly.
Reflecting on his one-year journey in office, Ehindero highlighted his legislative achievements, constituency projects, and future plans.
During an interactive session with journalists, the lawmaker—renowned for promoting journalists’ welfare—expressed concern over media employers’ neglect of their workers’ healthcare needs.
“No one expects workers to be productive when they are unhealthy. Their well-being matters,” he stated.
He shared a personal experience to emphasize his point;
“As you arrived, you might have noticed my secretary was absent. When I saw she was unwell despite wanting to work, I told her to go home and rest. I also provided her with some financial support for treatment. You’d be surprised that she was only diagnosed with typhoid, yet she’s been on a drip since Friday. Thankfully, she is recovering now.”
Ehindero vowed to address systemic issues in the media industry, particularly journalists’ access to healthcare.
“This is a critical issue, and I believe we must act on it. If drafting a bill to ensure compulsory health insurance for journalists is required, then we must make it happen.
“I urge you, as media professionals, to conduct further research on its feasibility and submit your findings to my office for legislative action,” he assured.
Ehindero has previously demonstrated his commitment to journalists’ welfare, notably awarding a scholarship to the daughter of the late journalist John Olasunkanmi Oba, who passed away in August last year. He also played a pivotal role in arranging Oba’s burial, highlighting the harsh realities journalists face due to inadequate healthcare support.
He urged media organizations to prioritize their employees’ well-being and called for greater attention to journalists’ health needs while they are still alive.
As the newly appointed Chairman of the House Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, Higher Education Financing, and NELFUND, and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Correctional Institutions, Ehindero also discussed his efforts in decongesting correctional facilities nationwide.
“Through committee interventions and individual efforts, we have successfully decongested over 100 correctional facilities across Nigeria. This was achieved through strategic engagements with the Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Correctional Service,” he noted.
Speaking on infrastructural development in Ondo State, Ehindero assured that the dilapidated federal roads across the state would soon receive attention, thanks to collaborative efforts among Ondo lawmakers.
“We have a caucus and hold meetings regularly. During budget discussions, we engage with one another to push for projects that benefit our state. As a result of our efforts, you will soon witness extensive road construction across Ondo State,” he stated.
Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero was elected to replace the current Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, after the latter’s ministerial appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.
Following a bye-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on February 3, 2024, Ehindero secured a landslide victory with 35,504 votes, defeating his closest rival, Olalekan Bada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 15,328 votes.
With his first year in office marked by legislative advocacy and constituency projects, Ehindero reaffirmed his commitment to making a lasting impact in the National Assembly.
