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Tag: Makinde

  • Makinde reaffirms commitment to public service, institutional growth

    Makinde reaffirms commitment to public service, institutional growth

    Governor Seyi Makinde has assured his administration’s determination to continue making the right decisions for the benefit of the public, civil servants, and the state as a whole. 

    He reiterated that his administration will keep building institutions that guarantee continuity after his tenure.

    Speaking on Wednesday during the 2024 Public Service Week and Productivity/Merit Award Day celebration at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan, the governor congratulated the awardees for their meritorious service to the state and urged them to strive for even greater achievements. 

    He emphasized that his administration has always promoted excellence and will continue to celebrate hard work among the workers.

    According to him, the productivity award event was an opportunity for him to appreciate workers, who have been working hand in hand with him to translate the dreams of his administration into reality.

    Governor Makinde also used the occasion to reward the immediate Coordinating Director, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Adedigba Aderogba, who retired in October 2024, with the post of Permanent Secretary as his retirement gift.

    While thanking the public/civil servants for their efforts and support, Governor Makinde assured them of better days ahead.

    The governor was later honoured by the Civil/Public Service of the state in recognition of his worker-friendly policies since he became the governor of the state.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, appreciated Governor Makinde for his unwavering support in making the Public Service Week a reality and his commitment to the welfare and development of the public service through regular salary payments, payment of a monthly economic relief package of N25,000 to civil servants and N15,000 to retirees. 

    She also lauded the governor on the approval of N80,000 minimum wage, support for professional development/capacity building for workers, approval for recruitment of 25,000 unemployed graduates across different cadres without any discrimination, and a 100 percent increase in fund release for pension and gratuity as well as the regular payment of pensions to retirees.

    Mrs Oni, therefore, charged the state’s workers to continue to demonstrate loyalty, transparency, integrity, and accountability in decision-making to move the state forward.

    About 55 officers from the junior, senior, and management cadres were awarded across various ministries, departments, and agencies in the Oyo State Public/Civil Service, while the Office of the Head of Service emerged as the Most Outstanding Ministry, with the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) emerging the Most Outstanding Agency of the year 2023.

    The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr ‘Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governors, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi and Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin and former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.

    Others were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Fola Oyekunle; Commissioners and other functionaries.

  • Ondo federal lawmaker Makinde facilitates relief materials for flood victims

    Ondo federal lawmaker Makinde facilitates relief materials for flood victims

    Lawmaker representing Ondo East/West federal constituency Hon. Abiola Makinde has distributed relief materials from Federal Government, which he facilitated through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for flood victims in the constituency.

    Makinde promised the victims deployment of all at his disposal to ensure they get succour to cushion effect of flood which led to loss of some of their personal belongings last October.

    A statement by the lawmaker said the distribution of the items ranging from food items, sewing machines and grinding machines among others was witnessed by officials of NEMA and the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency.

    Read Also: Foundation donates relief materials to Borno flood victims

    Makinde, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights, also said that the already documented victims of flood were the actual beneficiaries of the relief materials.

    He said: “This is the first batch of the relief materials, stating that more items such as bags of cement, roofing sheets, mattresses and other relief materials are still being expected.

    “While this distribution of relief materials is being done, flooding areas already identified are being worked, example of this is Itanla in Ondo town. Other areas are going to be worked on before we enter another rainy season to forestall reoccurence.”

  • Makinde pledges unwavering support for investors

    Makinde pledges unwavering support for investors

    • …assures security and business growth

    Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his commitment to securing the lives, properties, and businesses of both existing and prospective investors in the state. 

    Speaking at the commissioning of Hybrid Heights, an entertainment investment hub in Ibadan on Thursday, Makinde emphasized his administration’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. 

    He assured investors that his government would continue to support ventures aligned with its policies, ensuring that the state remains an attractive destination for investment.

    He said: “I want to say congratulations to my brother, Dr Adesina Adedeji, who is the brain behind this edifice. It is what we are doing in Oyo State. We create the enabling environment and businesses will thrive.

    “I am particularly thrilled to come in here and be a part of this ceremony. It fits into the vision that we are trying to create. After we had spent four years, we realised that tourism and solid minerals development would contribute immensely to the Gross Domestic Product of Oyo State and we added them.”

    The governor also said that as part of measures to make the state conducive to businesses, the state government has been reconstructing inner roads in the state and that the Ojoo-UI Highway, where the new entertainment hub is located, will also be fixed.

    “This business is a testament that our vision for adding tourism and hospitality to our pillars is actually working. For this corridor, we are fixing the road from Dugbe through Mokola, Premier Hotel, to Sango and to UI. From UI, you turn left and from that place, all the way to Beere, they are all being fixed. I want to promise that it will be the same thing from UI to Ojoo.

    “We realised that Ibadan is fast becoming the playground for Lagos people, because you can hardly get a hotel room to book here in Ibadan at the weekend. People are trooping in. That is a validation that our economy is actually improving and we will continue to do our best to create the enabling environment that will ensure that businesses thrive in Oyo State.

    “For Dr Adedeji, let me say that your investment is in a good place and a good environment. We will ensure that either Operation Burst or Amotekun is stationed close to this location.

    Read Also: Makindes pledges continuous support to security agencies in Oyo

    “Let me commend you because you told me that this business is employing 100 people. When we say that we want to create employment opportunities to ensure that our youths are engaged, this is what we are talking about. Truth is, there is a limit to how many people the government can employ but there is no limit to what a business that is expanding can employ.

    “So, this is also a validation that if we do what is right to make businesses thrive, a lot of our youths will have something to do. Thank you for creating opportunities for our youths.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer/Chairman Hybrid Heights, Dr Adedeji, commended Governor Makinde administration’s commitment to economic development and for prioritising tourism development with various infrastructure projects that could help investors to maximise profits in their businesses.

    He promised to support the governor to achieve his vision of expanding the economy of Oyo state through tourism and hospitality development.

    The governor was accompanied to the event by top government functionaries.

  • Makinde appoints late PDP leader Adagunodo’s son, other in fresh appointments

    Makinde appoints late PDP leader Adagunodo’s son, other in fresh appointments

    Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Mr Olasoji Jr. Adagunodo Oluwatukesi as special adviser for regional integration. 

    The governor also approved the appointment of Mr Salawu Adisa (Okotolaye) as Special Assistant Culture III.

    These were contained in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi.

    The new Special Adviser on Regional Integration is the son of the late Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo Oluwatukesi, the late former PDP National Vice Chairman (Southwest).

    According to the letter, the appointments are with immediate effect.

    While congratulating the new appointees, the governor counseled them to see their appointment as a call to service.

  • Makinde reaffirms commitment to civil service efficiency

    Makinde reaffirms commitment to civil service efficiency

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the civil and public service in the state.

    The governor emphasized the importance of training and retraining civil and public servants to boost their performance and ensure effective service delivery.

    Makinde made these remarks while hosting the leadership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), led by its President and Chairman, Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, at his office.

    He highlighted that since the inception of his administration, the government has prioritized the professional development of civil and public servants as part of their career progression and to enhance their capacity to discharge their duties effectively.

    On the appointment of Permanent Secretaries, Makinde explained that his administration follows an 80 percent merit-based and 20 percent special consideration policy, ensuring the promotion of merit and excellence in the selection process.

    He said: “I only see names of people being recommended for Permanent Secretary positions and there is no personal interest. So, I hardly know them. 

    “For me, it is on paper. These individuals qualify and sometimes you want to balance the geopolitical zones of the state. If we don’t have anybody from Ibarapa, we check the most qualified from the zone and they bring them in. And sometimes, people bring religion into what we are doing. 

    “We have taken 80 per cent on merit and 20 per cent on special consideration. We look at how many Christians and Muslims from the special consideration should fill available vacancies.”

    The governor promised the state’s support for the Institute on its building project.

    He added, “On the employment of your members, we don’t discriminate here. If they are qualified, we will go through a selection process that is transparent and rigorous. 

    “The policy for us is to encourage 80 per cent merit, because we know that the 80 per cent will overwhelm the 20 per cent and can still put that percentage into perfection. It is quite different from what we met where the reverse was the case. But that has changed. 

    “We tried it for the first term with the recruitment of teachers and the 80 per cent that we brought in on merit without knowing anybody became the champions among teachers. The work ethics and the way they have taken the assignment encouraged us to maintain that standard. 

    “So, your members should apply. If specifically, you feel strongly about some people who take our exam and they are not selected, you can come back to us and we will see if they can be accommodated within the 20 per cent window.”

    Earlier in her remarks, the President and Chairman of the Institute, Mrs Ekundayo, acknowledged the people-oriented policies and good governance being implemented by Governor Makinde.

    She also solicited for more collaboration between the government and the institute on a framework for training and capacity development for civil and public servants, in order to help deliver values.

    The event had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi and other government functionaries.

  • Makinde presents N678b 2025 Appropriation Bill to Oyo Assembly

    Makinde presents N678b 2025 Appropriation Bill to Oyo Assembly

    • Infrastructure, education take lion’s share

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde yesterday presented a budget of N678.06 billion for the 2025 fiscal year to the House of Assembly for approval.

    The 2025 budget is tagged: “Budget of Stabilisation.”

    The capital expenditure is N343 billion, which represents 50.6 per cent of the total budget, while the recurrent expenditure is N335 billion, representing 49.4 per cent of the budget.

    Makinde said infrastructure development would take the largest allocation of N152 billion, representing 22.4 per cent of the budget.

    He said N145billion was earmarked for the education sector, being 21 per cent, while N59billion was for the Health sector, representing nine per cent of the total budget.

    Agriculture sector received N18 billion, representing three per cent of the budget.

    Makinde said the budget would address the current economic hardship being faced by the citizens.

    He said the presentation, particularly in the infrastructure sector, was based on his administration’s commitment to extend rehabilitation of feeder roads in all zones.

    Read Also: Tinubu vows to tackle insecurity, sanitise economy

    The governor said his vision to improve infrastructure across the state would enhance connectivity and promote economic growth through better transportation networks.

    House of Assembly Speaker Debo Ogundoyin, said the presentation was a crucial step in the budgetary process.

    He said the governor had outlined the details of the 2025 budget.

    He said the 2024 budget performance achieved an impressive 64 per cent, adding that the collaborative efforts of government branches and stakeholders made it realisable.

    “Building on this momentum, we are hopeful that the 2025 budget proposal will surpass the 2024 performance.

    “This budget will build on the successes of the 2024 budget by helping to drive socio-economic growth, foster economic recovery and improve the overall quality of life for Oyo State residents,” Ogundoyin said.

    The Speaker said the House would conduct thorough oversights of government ministries, department and agencies, to guarantee transparency, accountability and responsible allocation of resources.

    He added that the lawmakers would speedily work on the budget for quick passage of the 2025 expenditure.

  • Makinde presents N678bn budget estimate for 2025

    Makinde presents N678bn budget estimate for 2025

    Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde presented a budget estimate of N678,086,767,332.18billion for the 2025 financial year before the Assembly on Wednesday. 

    The Governor said the ‘budget of stabilisation’ is to build on the 2024 budget of economic recovery. 

    He said the figure is about 35 percent higher than the 2024 budget, noting that the plan is to spend a little over 50% of the proposed budget on capital expenditure while about 49% goes into recurrent expenditure

    While the capital expenditure stands at N343, 028, 948, 216. 20 billion, which is 50.59% of the budget, the recurrent expenditure is put at N335,057,819,115. 98 which is 49.41% of the budget.

    According to the estimate, the topmost four sectors include: infrastructure which gets the highest budgetary allocation (22.46%), Education gets the second highest allocation (21.44%), health gets nine percent while agriculture gets three percent.

    In the 2025 estimate, the budgetary allocations are: infrastructure takes N152,265,859,738.19 (22.46%), education allotted N145,354,783,399.80 (21.44 %), health gets N59,411,385,714.68 (9%) and agriculture takes N18,760,243,348. 45 (3%) of the budget.

    Justifying the high allocation to the infrastructure and education sector, the Governor recalled that the infrastructure deficit in the education sector and the administration’s inability to meet up with her plans in the current year’s budget necessitated an increase in the allocation.

    He added that the government also hopes to renovate some schools in the coming year.

    He further explained that the budget for agriculture is to encourage investors in the sector, noting that the budget is to stimulate more activities in the agric sector but the major driver will be private investors. 

    He expressed optimism that the budget proposal will support the state roadmap for sustainable development of 2023 to 2027. He said the plan is to bring more smiles into the faces of investors, smallholder farmers, micro and small entrepreneurs, teachers and other public servants, parents, children, youths and all residents of the state.

    Read Also: Circular Road: Makinde raises payment compensation panel

    Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin said the progress by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in rebuilding Oyo State is undeniable, and the successful implementation of the Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023-2027 is a testament to his commitment. 

    He said the 2024 budget proposal achieved an impressive 64% success rate, thanking the collaborative efforts of government branches and stakeholders.

    He expressed optimism that building on the momentum, the 2025 budget proposal will surpass the performance of the current year, pledging the readiness of the lawmakers to immediately ensure swift passage of the 2025 Appropriation bill.

  • Aiyedatiwa hails Ondo lawmaker Makinde over ultra-modern motor park

    Aiyedatiwa hails Ondo lawmaker Makinde over ultra-modern motor park

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has commended lawmaker representing Ondo East/West federal constituency Hon. Abiola Makinde, who doubles as the Campaign Director-General of Ayedatiwa/Adelami 2024 for completion of an ultramodern motorpark in the constituency.

    The Governor gave the commendation during the inauguration ceremony of the new motorpark, which was part of activities of his campaign tour of Ondo West Local Government.

    Speaking while inaugurating the completed Ife motor park in Ondo, Aiyedatiwa hailed the federal lawmaker and took note of the importance of the remodeled park as it is at the heart of the city.

    Makinde thanked the Governor for declaring the motorpark officially open for public use and assured constituents that he would continue to deliver on his campaign promises.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa, Ajayi, others sign peace accord

    He said:“I appreciate our incumbent and incoming Governor of Ondo state, His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, for officially inaugurating this edifice. 

    “It is in fulfillment of my campaign promises to my constituents on WEALTH acronym with E to mean Environmental Beautification, Education and Empowerment, one of which is being done with the motorpark commissioned today considering that this park is at the heart of the city connecting more than one Federal road in my constituency.”

  • On Makinde’s rumoured presidential ambition

    On Makinde’s rumoured presidential ambition

    Sir: Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has, in recent times, made headlines for what many political observers consider his budding ambition to contest for the presidency in 2027 general elections. Though still speculative, a closer analysis of his track record, political strategy, and the broader national context reveals that his presidential ambition may be doomed from the start, or as some political pundits argue, “dead on arrival.”

    Makinde’s foray into presidential politics raises questions about his readiness and credibility to lead a country as complex and diverse as Nigeria. While ambition is not inherently negative, his approach seems to prioritize personal political advancement over the public good. His tenure as the governor of Oyo State has been marred by controversies, governance deficits, and accusations of self-serving behaviour, which, if unresolved, may severely undermine any hope of national political success.

    One of the most glaring weaknesses in Makinde’s presidential bid is the state of governance in Oyo State under his leadership. Despite his initial popularity upon assuming office in 2019, Makinde’s administration has failed to live up to expectations. Accusations of neglecting key areas of governance, such as healthcare, education, and food security, have become common refrains from critics and constituents alike. Makinde’s penchant for investing in high-profile projects has raised concerns about the sustainability of his policies and their impact on the common people.

     The governor’s recent actions—such as his establishment of the PDP Southwest headquarters in Ibadan—point to a man more focused on consolidating power and positioning himself for higher office than on addressing the concerns of his constituents. His efforts to secure a pliable successor in Oyo State are similarly viewed as an attempt to protect himself from accountability once his governorship ends.

    This pursuit of self-preservation is not lost on the Nigerian electorate, many of whom are growing weary of politicians who seek personal gain at the expense of the public good. Makinde’s disregard for the needs of Oyo State while chasing after national relevance is seen as a symptom of the broader problem of political opportunism that has long plagued Nigeria. His lack of focus on governance raises serious doubts about his motivations and whether he is truly capable of leading Nigeria.

    Read Also: Makinde approves N80,000 minimum wage for Oyo workers

    Another factor that renders Makinde’s presidential ambition dead on arrival is his antiparty activities in the 2023 presidential election and his contribution to the fractures within his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Makinde’s anti-party activities have left him isolated, with many within the PDP viewing him as an opportunist who is willing to sacrifice party loyalty for personal gain. This internal division will likely come back to haunt him if he seeks the party’s nomination for the presidency in 2027.

    Complicating matters further is the fact that President Bola Tinubu, also from the Southwest, will still be a major force in Nigerian politics come 2027. Makinde, who also hails from the same geopolitical zone, will face the formidable challenge of convincing voters and party leaders that he, rather than Tinubu’s APC machinery, deserves their support. With Tinubu’s established political network and influence in the Southwest, Makinde’s chances of rallying the region behind him appear slim.

    Moreover, the political landscape in Nigeria is such that regional support plays a critical role in any successful presidential campaign. Makinde’s strained relationships with other regional power brokers and his inconsistent party loyalty mean that he lacks the political alliances needed to mount a credible challenge on a national scale. His ambition to compete against Tinubu for influence in the Southwest, while also courting support from other regions, appears to be an uphill battle.

    Nigeria’s political landscape is increasingly complex, and the country’s challenges require leaders who can navigate these complexities with a clear vision, competence, and a commitment to public service. Unfortunately for Makinde, his track record suggests that his ambition is driven more by quest for personal gain than by a genuine desire to lead Nigeria toward a better future. His presidential aspiration is, by all accounts, dead on arrival.

    •Barrister Adisa Atolagbe, Abuja.

  • Minimum wage: Makinde to pay workers N80,000

    Minimum wage: Makinde to pay workers N80,000

    Oyo State Government has approved minimum wage of N80,000 for workers.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement said the Technical Committee set up by the government recommended and got approval from Governor Seyi Makinde for the implementation of the new salary scale.

    He said the new salary would be implemented as soon as the consequential adjustment process was completed by the committee, which comprised government and labour top officials.

    Read Also: Late Lagbaja’s hometown suspends anniversary indefinitely

    Oyelade recalled that only last month, a Federal Government agency, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its latest employment statistics published for 2024, rated Oyo as the most worker-friendly state in Southern Nigeria, owing to a significant decline in the state’s unemployment rate, following series of high-pitched employment of workers into sectors of the state.

    The commissioner said the state paid its workers salaries on the 25th of every month since Governor Makinde came into office in 2019.

    He also said the governor started paying the previous N30,000 minimum wage from inception over four years ago, including consistent payment of pensions, gratuities and 13th month salary for workers and pensioners.

    He noted that since November 2023, Governor Makinde had been paying N25,000 to workers and N15,000 to  pensioners as a welfare wage award.