Tag: Makinde

Family of the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Samuel Ladoke Akintola (SLA), yesterday hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde for the historic flag off project for the upgrade of Ladoke Akintola Airport Ibadan, formerly Ibadan Airport, to an international airport.

The family described the upgrade project of the airport to an international airport as a noble gesture.

Governor Makinde yesterday flagged-off the project for the upgrade of Ibadan Airport, Alakia to an international airport.

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The flag-off comes a few weeks after the governor inaugurated an 11-man committee set up to oversee the delivery of the project. The committee is headed by a former Commissioner for Finance, Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi.

Federal Government granted Oyo State Government approval to go ahead with the upgrade of the facility, following efforts and projects instituted by the state towards attaining Governor Makinde’s vision to turn around the facility for the state’s economic benefits.

A statement issued on behalf of Akintola’s family by the Coordinator, Samuel Ladoke Akintola Memorial Foundation, Yemi Adedokun and Secretary, Azeez Sharafadeen, commended Tinubu and Makinde for the historic decision to name Ibadan Airport after the late Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

Governor Seyi Makinde has said his administration would deliver on the upgrade of Ibadan airport to international standard within 12 months.

The governor stated this while flagging off the groundbreaking ceremony of the upgrade to the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, on Wednesday, September 18.

He was accompanied at the event by his counterpart from Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke, acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ilyas Damagum, and members of the National Working Committee of the party among others.

Makinde who disclosed that the first phase of the project has been awarded to Craneburg at a cost of N41 billion thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the state government’s request to upgrade the facility.

He said the decision to embark on the project was based on logic, science, and data noting that the government has also upgraded part of the facilities which increased the number of airlines including Ibadan in their flight schedules.

Makinde said: “We have awarded this first phase to Craneburg at N41b. Anyone who wants to ask what we are doing, go to Angola, they just finished their airport which was delivered at $3billion. This is no joke. If you want to tap into a $ 3 billion industry, you must be ready to be bold and we are bold here in Oyo State.

“We have our data. For those who think this project is not proper, we make decisions based on logic, science, and data. This decision to upgrade this airport is based on solid data and logic. If you have your data that contradicts this, please let us have a public debate. I’m sure in the next 12 months, this project will be delivered. I will push the envelope.

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“We have also upgraded part of the facilities which increased the number of airlines including Ibadan in their flight schedules.”

He also at the event harped on the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people from individuals, irrespective of their tribes, creed, or political affiliation, rather than on political and tribal divisions that divide the people.

“I hear people talk about PDP, APC on one side and another side, they will talk about Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa, here we do not know those divisions in Oyo State when it comes to delivery of dividend of democracy to our people.

“If you look at this committee to deliver this project, the Chairman is Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, an APC member, I’m wooing him, maybe he will come to the PDP but if he delivers this project and I may have to go with elders to woo him. For us, this is not about party or political difference, it is about who can deliver value to the people of Oyo state.

“Also, I have as a member of the Committee, an entrepreneur, one of the finest, and a legal icon with an eagle mind, Dr Wale Babalakin, he’s from Osun State. So, it’s not about Oyo State indigenes only. We also have a northerner, Alhaji Kabir Muhammed, a former MD of FAAN, it doesn’t matter the tribe, what we want is people who can deliver for us. Here, we don’t care, wherever we can get our talent who can deliver, we will get them.

In his brief remarks, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke commended Makinde for his passion and commitment to developing and upgrading Oyo State and its people across all facets.

The governor also at the event declared support for the Damagum-led NWC while also declaring unalloyed support for the party’s flagbearer for the Edo state governorship election.

The Nation reports that Makinde had in June announced that President Bola Tinubu approved his request to upgrade the Ibadan Airport to an international airport.

He subsequently set up an 11-man committee, headed by a former Commissioner for Finance, Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi, to oversee the delivery of the project.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state on Wednesday, September 18, said he would not implement the presumptive tax bill passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly, saying there’s hunger in the land.

The governor said although he will sign the bill into law, the situation across the country will make the implementation add more to the hardship and pain of the people.

The governor spoke in a remark at the groundbreaking ceremony of the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan.

The governor, who noted that the people were hungry and angry as a result of the current economic reality in the country, noted that the bill was not ripe for now as it would inflict more pain on the poor masses in the state

He said: “Anything that will put money in the pocket of the people is what I am interested in so they can use on where the shoe pinches. At this time, I’m not interested in whatever policy that will empty their pockets. I’ll continue to fight poverty and not fight the poor.”

Makinde, who declared his stand on the bill, while acknowledging the presence of the speaker of the Oyo Assembly, Hon Debo Ogundoyin at the event however commended the Assembly for the initiative which is aimed at jacking up the internally generated revenue of the state.

Recall that, the Oyo State House of Assembly, last week Thursday passed into law the State Presumptive Tax Bill, 2023, which provides for the imposition, administration, and collection of presumptive tax on individuals and entities whose income cannot be ascertained due to lack of financial records.

Read Also: Ibadan Airport upgrade: Ladoke Akintola’s family hails Tinubu, Makinde

Businesses captured for various presumptive tax rates include artists and sign writers, barbers, bricklayers, carpenters, grinding mills, gas refilling depots, hairdressers, horticulturists, photographers, plank sellers, plumbers, welders, mechanics, block makers, saw millers, book stores, typing studios.

Under the section of the law titled: “Oyo State Negotiated Presumptive Tax Rate,” owners of adult wear (boutique) are liable to pay a minimum of N10,000 yearly and a maximum of N50,000; barbers, will pay from N3,000 to N10,000

Artists and sign writers will pay from N5,000 to N50,000, Bicycle repairers, will pay between N2,000 and N10,000., Bookshop/stationary stores to pay a minimum of N10,000, and a maximum of N20,000, Bricklayers to pay from N10,000 to N30,000, Sellers of building materials to pay from N15,000 to N50,000, Furniture makers, to pay N25,000 to N40,000, Carpenters are to pay between N10,000 and N35,000, Gas refilling sellers to pay between N25,000 and N45,000 and photographers to pay between N2,000 and N5,000.

Also, Plumbers will pay between N2,000 and N10,000, Welders, to pay from N5,000 to N20,000

Fruit sellers to pay from N1,000 to N5000; Sales and Repairs of handset, between N2,500 and N4,000, Shoemakers to pay between N500 and N2,000, Laundry to pay from N1,000 to N2,500

Block makers are to pay between N15,000 and N25,000, vulcanisers are to pay between N2,500 and N7,500, Mechanics/welder/rewire are to pay between N1,500 and N5,000, and Plank sellers are between N2,500 and N10,000.

According to the passed bill, a taxable person who fails or neglects to make payment of the tax due shall be liable to pay the sum and a penalty equal to 10 percent per annum while those who maintain up-to-date records and file returns within the stipulated period shall be granted a rebate of two percent of the tax payable.

As contained in the law, persons subject to presumptive tax shall file returns on or before 90 days from the commencement of each year, while upon payment of all tax assessments, the taxable persons shall be issued a Tax Clearance Certificate.

The family of the late Premier of Western Region, Samuel Ladoke Akintola (SLA), on Wednesday, September 18, praised President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde for initiating the upgrade of Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan to an international standard.

The family hailed the project as a significant and noble gesture.

Governor Makinde officially launched the upgrade project for the airport, formerly known as Ibadan Airport, to an international facility on the same day.

This development follows the recent formation of an 11-man committee, led by former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi, tasked with overseeing the project’s completion.

The federal government has approved the Oyo State government’s plans to upgrade the Ibadan Airport, advancing Governor Seyi Makinde’s vision for the facility to boost the state’s economic prospects.

In a statement from the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Memorial Foundation, Coordinator Yemi Adedokun and Secretary Azeez Sharafadeen praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Makinde for their decision to name the upgraded airport after the late Premier of the Western Region, Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

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Adedokun described the renaming as a fitting tribute to Akintola’s enduring legacy.

He highlighted Akintola’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s political and economic development, particularly in the Western Region, which includes Oyo State.

He said: “The naming of the Ibadan Airport after Ladoke Akintola was a testament to the commitment of President Tinubu and Governor Makinde towards preserving Nigeria’s rich history and honouring its illustrious sons and daughters.

“This decision will inspire future generations to emulate the exemplary leadership and patriotism displayed by Ladoke Akintola.

“We commend President Tinubu and Governor Makinde for their unwavering dedication to promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and national unity.

“This gesture will foster a sense of pride and ownership among the people of Oyo state and Nigeria as a whole.”

Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has encouraged the nation’s youth to approach the future with confidence despite the current challenges, assuring them that these difficulties will eventually be overcome.

He delivered this message on Tuesday, September 17, while addressing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members during the passing-out ceremony for the current batch at the Lagos State Orientation Camp.

Governor Makinde, whose daughter is among the corps members, urged the youth to take full advantage of their compulsory national service to build a strong foundation for their future and to approach their assignments with seriousness.

According to the governor, some of the youths would meet their life partners during the youth service as he did about 34 years ago, while some will form business alliances that will last into the future, hence the need to be focused and responsible.

Read Also: Ibadan Circular Road: Residents on setback appeal to Makinde

He said: “I want to thank the Camp officials for having me here today. It is a great opportunity for me to address the future leaders of our country.

“I did this exactly 34 years ago when some of you were not yet born. But I want to tell you that you are starting a journey that will take some of you to the peak of your ambitions.

“Thirty-four years ago, I would not have thought I would become a governor in Nigeria. So, we have future governors and presidents here.

“I can only point out just two things; my own daughter is among you today. This means some of us as your leaders are also human. We also go through what you go through and we also go through what your parents go through.

“When I was talking to the representative of the Lagos State Governor, I said I couldn’t believe my daughter would stay here for three weeks, because she wanted to stay for one night but it turned to three weeks.

“She told me that she enjoyed herself, though she said some people bullied her. And I told her ‘welcome to the real world where there is no protection and you have to do whatever it is that they are doing out there.

“I want to specially thank the Camp officials for accommodating her and for making her feel welcome here.

“For all you corps members, I already heard the State Director mention that you should not travel out of the state without permission. A lot of corps members get involved in accidents that are unnecessary because they embark on journeys that are not really necessary.

“I also want to say that this is an opportunity for you to lay the foundation for whatever it is you want to become in the future. Don’t take this assignment lightly at all. Be confident and face the future. The challenges we are currently going through as a nation will also be behind us at some point. I wish you a successful service year.”

Residents on Ibadan Circular Road (ICR) corridor have again appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde over plan for a setback of 500 metres left and right of the road.

They made the appeal at a news conference held at Muslim Area, Ibadan.

The affected residents, who are from six local governments, including: Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele and Ido, urged the government to stick to the initial plan of 75 metres left and right of the road setback agreed under the former Governor Rashidi Ladoja administration.

Chairman of the corridor residents, Chief Adedeji Ahmed, said over 300,000 residents were traumatised, lived in fear of displacement and the realisation that their source of livelihood was about to be lost.

Noting that several houses have been marked for demolition, Adedeji appealed to the governor to speak out on the raging issue and stop further demolitions.

The affected residents carried placards and banners expressing their pleas.

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Some of the inscriptions read: ‘We are bleeding with notice of house demolitions’, ‘Our sources of livelihoods are about to go with 500 metres Circular Road corridor’, ‘Please don’t render us homeless’, among others.

They also staged a peaceful protest at Muslim Area of Ibadan-Lagos Expressway.

Secretary of the corridor residents, Mr Azeez Abass, said: “Hundreds of thousands are traumatised, with records of emotional damage due to the ongoing demolitions, while others are living in fear of the proposed plan of taking 500 metres to the right and 500 metres to the left as a road setback.

“It is a shocking move by the governor to take 500 metres to the right and 500 metres to the left for a road setback and displace people living at the circular road corridor wherein the initial plan was 75 metres by left and 75 metres by right by the past administration of Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

“It is heart-breaking to establish that, right from the resurgence of the circular road agitation, the Governor Makinde administration has never made a public statement to address the situation.

“We challenge the governor to address the citizens, stating why he intends to take 500 metres to the right and 500 metres to the left as a road setback.

“Our demand is for him to stop the plan and maintain the gazetted initial plan of 75 metres by left and 75 metres by right as stated by the past administration of Senator Ladoja.”

Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has felicitated the Muslim Ummah in the state and across Nigeria on the occasion of the Eid-el-Mawlid 2024.

The governor, in a statement on Sunday, September 15, congratulated all Muslims on witnessing the Mawlid, calling on them to pray for Oyo state, Nigeria, and the leadership at both levels.

According to him, the Mawlid, always celebrated on the 12th day of the third month of the Islamic Calendar, to mark the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), is an important festival for all Muslims and should be used as another avenue to seek the face of Allah over the state of affairs in the country.

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He said: “I congratulate all Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-Mawlid 2024.

“The Mawlid has always been an important festival for the Muslim Ummah; a great opportunity for them to glorify Allah and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

“While felicitating my Muslim brothers and sisters, I want to charge them to use the opportunity to pray more for our state and our nation.

“As an administration, we have enjoyed the support and prayers of the Muslim Ummah in the last five years. But just as efforts cannot be too much, prayers cannot be too much. So, please pray more for things to turn around for the better in our nation.

“On our part, we will continue to implement policies and programmes that will guarantee the well-being of the people and their freedom to practise their religions without inhibition or disturbance. Happy EEid-el-Mawlid.”

•’Allegation false’

African Action Congress (AAC) has condemned alleged mass demolition of houses on Circular Road, Ibadan, saying the action left people homeless.

The party alleged seven of 11 local governments in Ibadan were affected.

A statement by Chairman, Kayode Babayomi, frowned at the order by government to set aside 500 metres for a corridor of Circular Road, ‘’whereas the initial plan was 75 metres by left and 75 metres by right.’’

He said government should be concerned about welfare and pay compensation when demolition is necessary.

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“Concerning Circular Road, government has never made a statement to address the situation. This is a signal to the people that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government is against them,’’ he said.

PDP spokesman, Michael Ogunsina, described AAC’s allegation as misleading, saying houses built close to Circular Road on the land that were government setbacks were the land claimed by government.

He said: “Everyone knows Oyo State is responsible, and for those who did due diligence in buying land and building houses, government is paying compensation.’’