Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has rewarded Dr. Isa Akinbode with N13.9 million and a car for serving the state government for 22 years in the healthcare delivery sector. According to him, the 64-year old medical doctor from Ogun state, lived and served at the Monguno General Hospital. While addressing a handful of hospital staff at the weekend in Monguno, he said: “You continued to render healthcare delivery services to the people, despite threats of Boko Haram terrorism that claimed many lives,” he said.
He said Dr. Akinbode, an indigene of Ogun state, graduated from UNIMAID and joined the Borno State Civil Service, before retiring at the hospital in 2016. He noted that Dr. Akinbode was reportedly abducted and released by Boko Haram in Monguno, but remained and continue to voluntarily serve the people at the hospital. The former Governor, Sen. Kashim Shettima during his visit to Monguno had directed the Ministry of Health to engage Dr. Akinbode on contract basis.
Due to bureaucracy, officials of the health ministry, however, delayed the formalization of doctor’s employment contract; until Zulum’s visit to Monguno hospital last Friday. The Governor therefore paid N13.9 million salary arrears, based on the terms of contract directed by the former governor in 2016.
He also directed that going forward contract should be formalized for the payments of monthly entitlements. Besides the formalization of engagement contract, Zulum presented Dr. Akinbode a Toyota Highlander car for continuous render of healthcare delivery services. His words: “People like Dr. Akinbode are the ones needed to be encouraged. He lives in Monguno despite all the security challenges to serve in the Local Government Area.
“My predecessor had during his visit to Monguno directed that he should be engaged on contract.
“Unfortunately, due to bureaucracy, the doctor’s re-engagement could not be formalized,” adding that in redeeming the pledges of his predecessor, he re-engaged Dr. Akinbode on contract. Continuing, he said: “We’re paying his all his entitlements, including salary arrears. I’m giving him a cheques of N13.9 million. “I’ve also approved his re-engagement from 2016 being his retirement date.” He also approved the employment of Akinbode’s daughter into the State’s Civil Service.
The daughter studied Public Administration at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), while her father served the state government; despite Boko Haram insurgency.
