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Tag: Makinde

  • Makinde to appointees: we must implement programmes with lasting effect

    Makinde to appointees: we must implement programmes with lasting effect

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged stakeholders in his administration to be diligent, prudent and innovative so as to deliver on the administration’s mandate of engendering sustainable development.

    The governor advocated effective synergy among all key players across  Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government, noting that this remained the only way the government would be able to implement policies and programmes that would have a lasting positive impact on the people.

    Governor Makinde spoke yesterday  at the Conference Centre of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, during his opening address at a three-day leadership retreat for political appointees, including members of the State Executive Council, Special Advisers, Executive Assistants and Chairmen of Agencies/Parastatals, among others.

    While declaring the event open, the governor said: “I want to use these opening remarks to answer two questions; why are we having an Oyo State Government Executive Retreat? Is it to get away from our issues in town, since we are here at IITA, a diplomatic environment? What should we expect from this retreat? At the end of these two and a half days, what would you have gotten?

    “Answering these questions will set the tone for this event and even guide the facilitators and speakers in making their presentations. Every project must start with a goal and then you mark out your objectives on the goal.

    “So, let me answer the first question, why are we having the Oyo state government executive retreat. It is an opportunity for all of us here as decision-makers to rub minds together and develop strategies that will facilitate the success of Omituntun 2.0 agenda.

    Read Also: Nigeria @63: Makinde’s wife make case for children with special needs

    “At this point I would say that nobody should be a stranger to the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable to Development, 2023-2027.

    “For some of you that we have been working together, we kept talking about the vision, so I believe that a majority of us here would know what is in that roadmap. But I have not had the opportunity to share with everyone as a group the vision behind those strategic plans.

    “So, this retreat would afford me the opportunity to share the three keys behind Omituntun 2.0 with you all.

    “To the second question, what do you expect from this retreat? For those of you who have seen the programme of the day, it promises to be an interesting session, my expectation is that you take note and apply things learnt from the retreat in your various ministries, departments and agencies.”

    Governor Makinde, while speaking on the theme: “Exploring the Implementation of the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023 -2027,” equally urged the political appointees to develop strategies that will facilitate the quick delivery of the roadmap sustainable development agenda also known as Omituntun 2.0.

    According to him, residents of the state “are expecting more dividends of democracy within the short time of our second term in office,” even as he promised to continue to deliver on policies, projects as well as activities that will have a long term effect on the people of the state.

    The governor, who maintained that his administration is still operating the four pillars of economic expansion, security, education and health, explained that the government only added the components of tourism and solid minerals development to the drive to expand the economy of the state.

    The governor equally explained that the agenda of Omituntun 2.0 is to consolidate on the achievements recorded by the administration under Omituntun 1.0, stating that more efforts would be required to deliver on his electioneering promises to the people, who aligned with his commitment to upgrade Omituntun 1.0.

    He enjoined the appointees to always collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies and play their parts in ensuring the delivery of the promises.

    Delivering his paper, the lead speaker, Mr Niyi Yusuf, who spoke on the main topic of the retreat, “Adaptive Leadership Strategies in an Uncertain Time,” said successful leaders are those that navigate their time even in times of crisis.

    The keynote speaker and CEO of the FirstBank Group, Dr Sola Adeduntan, who was represented by Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, advised the appointees to set up strategies and practices that can be used to overcome obstacles and accomplish meaningful changes in line with the mission and vision of the state.

    He urged the appointees to be dedicated to service in order to help the development of the state.

    Speaking on the topic, “Personnel Management in Economic Landscape,” Dr Adeduntan commended the achievements and good innovations of the Governor Makinde administration, especially in the areas of information technology, with the recent introduction of smart cards for Omituntun buses.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, noted that the retreat is strategic, stating that its objective is to ensure that all appointees work together to achieve the mission and vision of the administration, while looking inward to a great and holistic adaptive system.

  • Nigeria @63: Makinde’s wife make case for children with special needs

    Nigeria @63: Makinde’s wife make case for children with special needs

    Wife of Oyo Governor, Engr. Mrs Tamunominini Makinde has urged Nigerians to remember and care for children with special needs in the society. 

    She said Nigerians should embrace children with special needs to better understand challenges facing them. 

    Speaking in Ibadan while playing host to children in orphanage homes across the state as part of activities to mark Nigeria independence anniversary, the First Lady stated that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde is committed towards provision of inclusive society that gives equal opportunity to everyone.

    Read Also: Makinde plans big for 80th birthday

    According to her: “There is a great power and strength in inclusivity, as Nigerians, let us embrace each other, this will bring us closer to one another, let’s join hands together to build a nation we shall be proud of.”

    She assured children with special needs that they are not alone, saying they are valued and cherished for their unique ability, strength and perseverance which according to her is a great thing to the state.

    “We need to be concerned about the well being and safety of each other particularly during this hardship period, let’s be our brothers keepers, let’s love, care and support ourselves to achieve the dream of our founding fathers and build a nation where peace and justice reign.

    “As we celebrate Nigeria independence, let us reflect on the value that define us as a people which are compassion and inclusivity, by embracing those values, we can jointly build a nation where no one is left behind.”

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  • Communities seek Makinde’s intervention over alledge land grabbing

    Communities seek Makinde’s intervention over alledge land grabbing

    Some communities in Ona Ara local government area in Oyo State have raised the alarm over attempts by some people to forcefully chase them away from their houses. 

    They alleged that certain persons who claimed to be government officials have marked some of the properties in the community for acquisition. 

    The affected communities under the umbrella of Araromi General Development Association which include Ajonloku, Oloyo, Idi -Ogun Iyi-Ola, Bolarinwa and Kuye villages, noted the land grabbers have concluded plans to evict them and grab their lands.

    The communities, in a petition addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde, noted that any attempt to forcefully chase them out of their houses will render many people homeless. 

    The communities through their counsel, Barrister Omoniyi Odeyemi, declared that some of these properties have registered certificate of occupancy obtained from the Ministry of Lands. 

    The communities in a save our soul petition titled “Urgent request to prevent acquisition of property at Ona Ara local government area of Oyo state”, appealed the Governor to urgently intervene to protect the right of the people of the area. 

    Read Also: Makinde plans big for 80th birthday

    The communities in the petition said: “We are the solicitors to Araromi General Development Association which comprises of following Villages; Ajonloku, Oloyo,Idi -Ogun Iyi-Ola, Bolarinwa and Kuye (hereinafter referred to as our client) and on whose instruction we write.”

    “We write to you with great urgency and concern regarding the acquisition of the properties by some persons in the above named villages are located in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State with well over 10,000 occupants.”

    “Some certain persons who claim to be government officials have marked some of the properties in the community for acquisition, as it stands could have severe consequences for the community at large, a lot of persons will be rendered homeless and it will also be an infringement of personal rights.”

    “Some of these properties have registered certificate of occupancy Obtained from the Ministry of Lands. We kindly request your intervention and assistance in preventing this acquisition, which we believe is not in the best interest of our community and may lead to adverse consequences.”

    “We believe that with your expertise and influence, we can explore alternative solutions that would benefit all the occupants. We look forward to your positive response in resolving this pressing issue. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated, as time is of the essence. We have attached copies of documents to proof ownership of these properties.”

  • Makinde plans big for 80th birthday

    Makinde plans big for 80th birthday

    On Tuesday, October 10, Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Sunday Olatunji Makinde will turn 80. His children, family, and friends are set to roll out drums for the occasion.

    According to those close to the Makinde family, a thanksgiving service has been scheduled to celebrate the illustrious life of the prelate emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria.

    Makinde’s thanksgiving service is scheduled to be held at the Hoares Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 10.

    In the same vein, his children have concluded plans to host a few friends in the celebration of their father’s 80th birthday.

    Most Rev. Dr. Ayo Olawuyi and one of Makinde’s sons, Temilolu Makinde, have been paired to ensure dignitaries and associates of the prelate emeritus are well taken care of at a scheduled reception ceremony.

    Read Also: I gave Mohbad N2m to perform but never showed up, Sam Larry claims

    Dr. Makinde was born on October 10, 1943, in the twin village of Ogunranti and Balogun Kure in Lagelu Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State. He made his mark in the ministry when he was transferred to Abuja to establish the Diocese of Abuja in 1993.

    He was elevated to an Archbishop when Abuja became an Archdiocese in 1998 and was able to complete the Cathedral, and the Archbishop’s House, established two nursery and primary schools, many churches, acquired lands for Methodist Church Nigeria, and put Methodist Church Nigeria on the map of Federal Capital Territory within the nine years he stayed in Abuja. He was transferred to Lagos as the Archbishop of Lagos in 2003. His achievements as the Archbishop of Lagos were enormous.

    In 2006 he was elected as the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria and was invested on November 12, 2006 at Trinity Methodist Church, Tinubu, Lagos with people from all walks of life at home and abroad in attendance.

  • Makinde: Always pushing the envelope

    Makinde: Always pushing the envelope

    • By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

    In the dead of the night on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Governor Seyi Makinde was on the streets of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, to have first-hand information about the state of readiness of public schools ahead of resumption of students for the new academic session. 

    The Governor, who was accompanied by some commissioners and aides, was miffed by some of his findings and did not mince words in expressing his discontent. In some of the schools inspected, shops and stalls were erected into the perimeter fences. It was obvious that the situation in those schools would vitiate the teaching-learning process, thus leaving the pupils shortchanged and the state robbed of optimal value for its investment in education.

    Speaking during the inspection, Governor Makinde said, “In some of the schools, the entrance is almost blocked by people who have their shops very close to the entrance of the school, which is not conducive to learning. So, we have gone round and what we are saying is that if you have anything attached to the fence of a school, you must remove it.

    “We are going to give them about a week to remove those things. They should clear them so that when our children come back to school, we will know they are coming into an environment conducive for learning.”

    The Governor then charged those in charge of managing the schools to ensure the removal of every obstacle to learning. He continued, “We have a responsibility to provide a conducive environment for our pupils. We cannot afford to fail in the discharge of this responsibility, because it is about the future of these children, the future of our state and the future of the country at large. The key to a better future for our society is sound education for our children.”

    When some of the affected shop owners failed to remove their shops after the expiration of the deadline, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources moved in to pull down the shops and stalls ahead of school resumption last Monday to ensure that the school environment was such that it would facilitate learning.

    Makinde is passionate about education, because he knows that it is the superstructure on which the whole of the society rests. The Governor sees education as the light that dispels ignorance and enables the people to take charge of their lives. He believes that education gives people the power to make informed decisions, which is pivotal to leading a meaningful life. 

    Makinde sees education as the force that unleashes the potential of individuals and positions them to take advantage of opportunities around them. He is of the persuasion that education spurs creativity and promotes innovation, both of which improve quality of life. He considers education as the force with the capability to transform a person’s attitude, broaden his horizon and help him to appreciate the value in others. 

    Therefore, for Makinde, one of the best things a leader can do for his people, especially the young ones, is to provide them with unfettered access to education. Consequently, he is determined to go the extra mile, sparing no cost, to ensure that no child in Oyo State is denied access to quality education irrespective of the status or station of the parents. He demonstrated this right from his first day in office as governor.

    In his first pronouncement shortly after taking the oath of office on May 29, 2019, Governor Makinde abrogated the payment of N3,000 fee per child, thus making education at both the primary and secondary levels free in the state. That pronouncement has seen over 60,000 out-of-school children in the state return to school. He followed this up with an upward review of the 2019 budgetary allocation to education from 3 per cent to 10 per cent even when the whole budget, which he had inherited from the previous administration, was reviewed downwards. 

    The governor then made a promise that he would endeavour to meet the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation of voting between 15 and 20 percent of budget to education. Makinde has lived up to this promise by raising the budgetary provision for education to N47billion (22.3 per cent) in 2020, N56.3billion (21 per cent) in 2021, N54.1billion (18.37 per cent) in 2022 and N58.2billion (18.78 per cent) in 2023.

    Read Also: Makinde: Always pushing the envelope

    To improve education delivery at both the primary and secondary school levels in the state, the Seyi Makinde administration has completed over 200 projects, including the construction of eight model schools, the construction of 51 classrooms with toilets, the renovation of 88 classroom blocks, the installation of 36 boreholes and the construction of perimeter fences in seven schools. The administration employed 5,000 teachers in one fell swoop; recruited 692 Education Officers who were deployed in the 33 local government areas of the state and supplied both textbooks and notebooks to schools.

    But despite the huge investment in primary and secondary education, the Governor does not believe that what has been accomplished is the ultimate. Recently at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on the 2024 Budget, Makinde noted that over the past four years the state had expended about N10billion on SUBEB. He added that an audit exercise carried out by the government revealed that the state would require close to N46 billion to fix its schools.

    The Governor said, “We are looking at solutions, but one thing that I will ask the Commissioner for Education to push for in the 2024 budget is extra money over and above what we can get from the SUBEB/UBEC effort. To bridge this gap, we need to spend at least N12bn every year, and let us see how far we can go so that we can start fixing those schools.”

    Makinde never stops pushing the envelope to make a good situation better.

    However, the Governor’s focus has not been only on primary and secondary schools, as he has also improved the lot of all the tertiary institutions in the state. One of the major things that Governor Makinde did to steady the shaky state-owned institutions was the payment of the bulk of inherited salary arrears. The Seyi Makinde administration has paid N6.8billion out of the inherited N8.6billion salary arrears for the tertiary institutions.

    Makinde has also been supportive of Oyo State students in the Law School by providing them with N500,000 bursary awards since 2019. Similarly, the government has been awarding full scholarships to students from each of the 33 local government areas in the state to study at the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan. In the same vein, 136 students across the 33 LGAs and 35 LCDAs were awarded scholarships at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan, in January 2022.

    The governor has also demonstrated commitment to the improvement of facilities in state-owned tertiary institutions. In 2020, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, received N100 million for capital projects. This was followed up with the construction of a N458 million office complex for lecturers in 2021. The Oke Ogun Polytechnic was provided with a central laboratory complex, while the Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa got a 250-capacity lecture theatre.

    In November 2020, the National Universities Commission (NUC) ceded the sole ownership of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, to Oyo State Government. This followed a Memorandum of Understanding by Oyo and Osun State Governments to dissolve the joint ownership of the university, which was founded in 1991. That decision marked a turning point in the history of the university because after years of retarded growth, LAUTECH has come into its own and recently emerged as the best state university in the country. 

    Propelled by the vision to keep pushing the envelope, Makinde decided to turn the university into a multi-campus institution and built from the scratch a College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin, Oke Ogun axis of the state. The governor said siting the campus in Oke Ogun, which is the food basket of the state, was borne out of the desire to avail the farmers of the research findings of the college so that their output can be better. The College, which was inaugurated recently, is benchmarked against the best universities of agriculture in the world.

    Rather than engage in chest thumping after the feat of securing LAUTECH for Oyo State, Governor Makinde again pushed the envelope. In December 2022, he got the approval of the NUC for the conversion of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education to a university. So, within just four years, Governor Makinde increased the number of Oyo State-owned universities, as he usually puts it, “from one and a half to three.”

    Already, going by what he has done to improve the state of education in the state, Governor Makinde has etched himself in the hearts of the people of Oyo State and has earned himself a very conspicuous place in the annals of the state. But he is neither letting up nor slowing down. For him, there are still heights to scale and records to break. So, for this Governor with uncommon passion for education, pushing the envelope is a continuous exercise.

    • Olanrewaju is the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor.
  • Makinde: Always pushing the envelope

    Makinde: Always pushing the envelope

    • By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

    In the dead of the night on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Governor Seyi Makinde was on the streets of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, to have first-hand information about the state of readiness of public schools ahead of resumption of students for the new academic session. 

    The Governor, who was accompanied by some commissioners and aides, was miffed by some of his findings and did not mince words in expressing his discontent. In some of the schools inspected, shops and stalls were erected into the perimeter fences. It was obvious that the situation in those schools would vitiate the teaching-learning process, thus leaving the pupils shortchanged and the state robbed of optimal value for its investment in education.

    Speaking during the inspection, Governor Makinde said, “In some of the schools, the entrance is almost blocked by people who have their shops very close to the entrance of the school, which is not conducive to learning. So, we have gone round and what we are saying is that if you have anything attached to the fence of a school, you must remove it.

    “We are going to give them about a week to remove those things. They should clear them so that when our children come back to school, we will know they are coming into an environment conducive for learning.”

    The Governor then charged those in charge of managing the schools to ensure the removal of every obstacle to learning. He continued, “We have a responsibility to provide a conducive environment for our pupils. We cannot afford to fail in the discharge of this responsibility, because it is about the future of these children, the future of our state and the future of the country at large. The key to a better future for our society is sound education for our children.”

    When some of the affected shop owners failed to remove their shops after the expiration of the deadline, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources moved in to pull down the shops and stalls ahead of school resumption last Monday to ensure that the school environment was such that it would facilitate learning.

    Read Also: Oyo-Iseyin road: Ladigbolu hails Makinde for fulfilling promise made to Alaafin

    Makinde is passionate about education, because he knows that it is the superstructure on which the whole of the society rests. The Governor sees education as the light that dispels ignorance and enables the people to take charge of their lives. He believes that education gives people the power to make informed decisions, which is pivotal to leading a meaningful life. 

    Makinde sees education as the force that unleashes the potential of individuals and positions them to take advantage of opportunities around them. He is of the persuasion that education spurs creativity and promotes innovation, both of which improve quality of life. He considers education as the force with the capability to transform a person’s attitude, broaden his horizon and help him to appreciate the value in others. 

    Therefore, for Makinde, one of the best things a leader can do for his people, especially the young ones, is to provide them with unfettered access to education. Consequently, he is determined to go the extra mile, sparing no cost, to ensure that no child in Oyo State is denied access to quality education irrespective of the status or station of the parents. He demonstrated this right from his first day in office as governor.

    In his first pronouncement shortly after taking the oath of office on May 29, 2019, Governor Makinde abrogated the payment of N3,000 fee per child, thus making education at both the primary and secondary levels free in the state. That pronouncement has seen over 60,000 out-of-school children in the state return to school. He followed this up with an upward review of the 2019 budgetary allocation to education from 3 per cent to 10 per cent even when the whole budget, which he had inherited from the previous administration, was reviewed downwards. 

    The governor then made a promise that he would endeavour to meet the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation of voting between 15 and 20 percent of budget to education. Makinde has lived up to this promise by raising the budgetary provision for education to N47billion (22.3 per cent) in 2020, N56.3billion (21 per cent) in 2021, N54.1billion (18.37 per cent) in 2022 and N58.2billion (18.78 per cent) in 2023.

    To improve education delivery at both the primary and secondary school levels in the state, the Seyi Makinde administration has completed over 200 projects, including the construction of eight model schools, the construction of 51 classrooms with toilets, the renovation of 88 classroom blocks, the installation of 36 boreholes and the construction of perimeter fences in seven schools. The administration employed 5,000 teachers in one fell swoop; recruited 692 Education Officers who were deployed in the 33 local government areas of the state and supplied both textbooks and notebooks to schools.

    But despite the huge investment in primary and secondary education, the Governor does not believe that what has been accomplished is the ultimate. Recently at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on the 2024 Budget, Makinde noted that over the past four years the state had expended about N10billion on SUBEB. He added that an audit exercise carried out by the government revealed that the state would require close to N46 billion to fix its schools.

    The Governor said, “We are looking at solutions, but one thing that I will ask the Commissioner for Education to push for in the 2024 budget is extra money over and above what we can get from the SUBEB/UBEC effort. To bridge this gap, we need to spend at least N12bn every year, and let us see how far we can go so that we can start fixing those schools.”

    Makinde never stops pushing the envelope to make a good situation better.

    However, the Governor’s focus has not been only on primary and secondary schools, as he has also improved the lot of all the tertiary institutions in the state. One of the major things that Governor Makinde did to steady the shaky state-owned institutions was the payment of the bulk of inherited salary arrears. The Seyi Makinde administration has paid N6.8billion out of the inherited N8.6billion salary arrears for the tertiary institutions.

    Makinde has also been supportive of Oyo State students in the Law School by providing them with N500,000 bursary awards since 2019. Similarly, the government has been awarding full scholarships to students from each of the 33 local government areas in the state to study at the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan. In the same vein, 136 students across the 33 LGAs and 35 LCDAs were awarded scholarships at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan, in January 2022.

    The governor has also demonstrated commitment to the improvement of facilities in state-owned tertiary institutions. In 2020, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, received N100 million for capital projects. This was followed up with the construction of a N458 million office complex for lecturers in 2021. The Oke Ogun Polytechnic was provided with a central laboratory complex, while the Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa got a 250-capacity lecture theatre.

    In November 2020, the National Universities Commission (NUC) ceded the sole ownership of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, to Oyo State Government. This followed a Memorandum of Understanding by Oyo and Osun State Governments to dissolve the joint ownership of the university, which was founded in 1991. That decision marked a turning point in the history of the university because after years of retarded growth, LAUTECH has come into its own and recently emerged as the best state university in the country. 

    Propelled by the vision to keep pushing the envelope, Makinde decided to turn the university into a multi-campus institution and built from the scratch a College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin, Oke Ogun axis of the state. The governor said siting the campus in Oke Ogun, which is the food basket of the state, was borne out of the desire to avail the farmers of the research findings of the college so that their output can be better. The College, which was inaugurated recently, is benchmarked against the best universities of agriculture in the world.

    Rather than engage in chest thumping after the feat of securing LAUTECH for Oyo State, Governor Makinde again pushed the envelope. In December 2022, he got the approval of the NUC for the conversion of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education to a university. So, within just four years, Governor Makinde increased the number of Oyo State-owned universities, as he usually puts it, “from one and a half to three.”

    Already, going by what he has done to improve the state of education in the state, Governor Makinde has etched himself in the hearts of the people of Oyo State and has earned himself a very conspicuous place in the annals of the state. But he is neither letting up nor slowing down. For him, there are still heights to scale and records to break. So, for this Governor with uncommon passion for education, pushing the envelope is a continuous exercise.

    • Olanrewaju is the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor.
  • Oyo-Iseyin road: Ladigbolu hails Makinde for fulfilling promise made to Alaafin

    Oyo-Iseyin road: Ladigbolu hails Makinde for fulfilling promise made to Alaafin

    Retired cleric and Chairman, Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, Archbishop Emeritus Ayo Ladigbolu, has described the newly-completed Oyo-Iseyin road as a fulfilment of the promise made to the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, by Governor Seyi Makinde four years ago.

    In his welcome address at the inauguration of the 34.85 kilometres road in Oyo, Ladigbolu said the late Oba Adeyemi was so concerned about the deplorable state of the road that he paid a private visit to Governor Makinde on October 31, 2020, to plead with him to do something about it.

    According to the Oyo prince, it was the promise Makinde made to the late Alaafin at that meeting that planted the seed of the now completed Oyo-Iseyin road.

    Ladigbolu described the Oyo-Iseyin road as strategic “because it is a major link road between Oyo South and Oyo North divisions, Ogun State, northern states and some of the border towns of our West African neighbouring countries”.

    He commended Makinde for “his style of governance that seeks to leave no one behind”.

    He said: “It is appropriate at this special occasion to recall with nostalgia our sweet memories of His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Dr. Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo (1971-2022). I am recalling his tireless efforts and great concern for the progress and general development of all of Oyoland.

    “Kabiyesi was so passionate about the Oyo-Iseyin road and its deplorable, almost ‘unmotorable’ state four years ago, that His Majesty sought a private audience with His Excellency, Governor Oluseyi Makinde, in Ibadan on Saturday, October, 31, 2020.

    Read Also: We’ve laid solid foundations for others to build on – Makinde

    “At that crucial meeting, both Kabiyesi and the Governor agreed on the need to fix this road, and our promise keeping Governor gave Kabiyesi a definite assurance that as soon as the contractors handling the Moniya-Iseyin road project have completed the road to Iseyin, he would order them to turn and face Oyo-Iseyin road.

    “I am one of those who have been monitoring the fulfilment of that promise. I am happy and proud to be a participant in the full realisation and utilisation of the new and modern road linking Oyo to Iseyin and other parts of our great nation and beyond, today.”

    Stressing the importance of the road, Ladigbolu noted: “We are happy today because we realise that roads remain the backbone of a country’s economy. Roads make countries livable. Roads open up more areas and stimulate all forms of development. They provide flexibility, mobility, opportunities and leisure. Roads connect people. For these and other reasons, road infrastructure is the most important of all public assets.”

    The ceremony also witnessed the inauguration of the Iseyin campus of  Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, both of which were performed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

  • We’ve laid solid foundations for others to build on – Makinde

    We’ve laid solid foundations for others to build on – Makinde

    Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared that his administration has successfully laid the necessary foundations, which successive administrations can build on with regards to the infrastructure, education and the economy of the state.

    The governor maintained that his government had pulled the state out of the trenches and would continue to build on the gains already recorded, noting, however, that if previous administrations had laid the necessary framework, his government would not have had to start from scratch.

    Read Also: Makinde approves appointment of Oyebola as new Aseyin

    Governor Makinde stated this in Iseyin, on Friday, during the commissioning of the College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, a campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, started and completed by his government.

    At the event, which had in attendance a former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the governor said: “Let me mention that this commissioning of the LAUTECH Iseyin Campus in Iseyin exemplifies what happens when we have existing infrastructure, whether they are physical or administrative, to build on.

    “People have been commenting that Oyo State should be building an internal rail system, and I said, yes, that is something we should be doing. If the previous administrations had laid the framework as they did in Lagos, then, we would not come in and have to lay the foundation again.

  • Allow us present sole candidate for Alaafin stool, royal houses plead with Makinde

    Allow us present sole candidate for Alaafin stool, royal houses plead with Makinde

    The nine royal families in Oyo which have been excluded from producing the Alaafin since 1859 have pleaded with Governor Seyi Makinde to allow them present a sole candidate for the throne this time as a matter of fairness and equity.

    The nine families in a joint statement yesterday urged the governor to demonstrate justice and fairness as he did in the 2023 general elections by correcting historical imbalance.

    They posited that in doing so, Makinde will write his name in gold in the history of Oyo.The families, now popularly known as Atiba 9, are in court seeking implementation of a 1976 state government’s decision which directed the Alaafin traditional council to review the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration in order to accommodate the ruling houses.

    Read Also: Alaafin stool not for sale – Makinde

    The suit, which is being heard at an Oyo State High Court, Awe, has adjourned its next hearing to October 19, 2023.The Atiba 9 also commended Makinde for his position that the reverted Alaafin stool was not for sale.

    The statement read: “Atiba 9, represented by their spokesman Prince Sina Afolabi, would like to express their commendation for the executive governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, in his recent statement regarding the sacred stool of Alafin of Oyo. The nine sidelined ruling houses believe that the governor should be praised for his assertion that the prestigious stool is not for sale.

    “The families, who have been marginalized for many years, including the Olawoyin house, which also belongs to the Alafin Atiba dynasty, urge Governor Makinde to uphold the sanctity of the law by honoring the ongoing court cases. They requested that the governor considers their plea to present a sole candidate from the nine ruling houses as a compensation for their historical exclusion from the Alafin stool, which has been enjoyed by their fellow brothers since 1859.

  • Wasilat Adegoke: Oyo speaker congratulates Makinde’s youngest commissioner

    Wasilat Adegoke: Oyo speaker congratulates Makinde’s youngest commissioner

    The speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin has felicitated Miss Wasilat Adegoke on her recent appointment and confirmation as the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the state by Governor Seyi Makinde.

    The speaker also commended the governor for confirming the appointment of the Lanlate-born young lady.

    Ogundoyin in a statement issued in Ibadan described the appointment of Miss Wasilat as well merited.

    The speaker said: “I wish to use this medium to congratulate one of our own, Miss Wasilat Adegoke Adefemi on her appointment as the new Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State by Governor Seyi Makinde.

    “The appointment of Miss Wasilat is well deserved as she has served in various capacities in our great party, PDP. I would like to also appreciate our dear Governor for another honour done to us in Ibarapaland.

    Read Also: Makinde swears in 29-year-old as commissioner

    He later charged the new Commissioner to put in her best in order to justify her appointment saying “I have no doubt that as a youth herself, Miss Wasilat will bring her vibrancy and energy to bear in her new state assignment.

    Ogundoyin: “I know she will hit the ground running so as to consolidate the various achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde in the area of youth and sports development.”