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Tag: Seyi Makinde

  • Why we established Amotekun in southwest – Makinde

    Why we established Amotekun in southwest – Makinde

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has said the refusal of the federal government to approve southwest governors’ demand to establish state police a few years ago led to the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun.

    Noting that it is important for the federal government to revisit the matter, the governor alongside the conference of southwest speakers, reiterated the call for the establishment of state police, saying it has become imperative to surmount the insecurity challenges facing different parts of the country.

    Makinde spoke on Tuesday, January 30, when he received the Conference of Speakers of State Legislators, Southwest Chapter, led by its chairman and Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye.

    The speakers paid a courtesy visit to the governor in his office in Ibadan, where he appreciated them for their condolences and words of support over the January 16 explosion in Bodija, Ibadan.

    The governor maintained that there is a need for collaboration and cooperation between the executive arm of government and the legislators to deliver dividends of democracy and bring development to the people.

    Makinde said: “I want to observe that you need to all come together irrespective of the political party that brought you into office. This is a demonstration that the electioneering period is over and you need to have everybody pulling together to govern and deliver dividends of democracy to our people.”

    While speaking on the security challenges in the country, Governor Makinde maintained that the establishment of state police is an idea whose time has come and that the fears in some quarters that states would not be able to maintain state police are unfounded.

    He cited the example of Oyo State where the payment of salaries and pensions has never been an issue despite the economic challenges in the country.

    Makinde said: “A lot of people may not know that before we launched Amotekun in this state, some of us governors went to the federal government and we asked to be allowed to set up state police for our various states but we did not get that approval during the time of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “I disagreed at that particular time and still disagree to date that the states are not in the position to maintain state police. I have never seen where the Federal Government went to a particular state and gave the police everything they needed. So, the states are already maintaining the police.”

    Read Also: Ibadan explosion: Peter Obi visits Makinde, promises to donate to victims

    Makinde said the police are on the exclusive list, but if that responsibility is split and states have to run their police system, they should have access to resources from the federation account to meet the responsibility of maintaining the police.

    “So, the issue of being unable to maintain state police will not arise again. Give us the responsibility first and see if certain states will be able to maintain it or not.

    “But since we could not get state police, we settled for Amotekun. All the state assemblies in the Southwest passed a common law for its establishment. So, we have to be pushing for state police, and you lawmakers have a role to play to make that a reality.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislators, Southwest, Rt. Hon. Aribasoye described Makinde as a dynamic governor, while he also lauded his efforts in re-engineering the state through various developmental projects.

    He commended the governor for his proactiveness and prompt response to the unfortunate incident at Bodija.

    He also expressed confidence that there would be continuous support and harmonious relationships between the legislative and the executive arms of government for better governance.

    Fielding questions from reporters shortly after the visit, the chairman said the visit is part of visits to all the states in the Southwest on the need to have regional integration and development, and also to look at the issues of security particularly in the Southwest region.

    He said: “With me, I have also the speakers of Oyo, Ondo and Osun states and other members of all the states’ houses of Assembly in the Southwest region. Our visit to Oyo State today is part of our visit to all the states in the Southwest on the need for us to have regional integration and development, and also to look at the issues of security particularly in our region.

    “To call for multi-level policing in Nigeria most importantly, for us now to have state police, to move policing from the exclusive list to the concurrent list whereby each state of the federation can also on their own sake control of the security situation. It is important also for us in the Southwest.

    “We are looking at a way we can have harmonized legislation, particularly in the areas that we have common challenges and common issues. We have also come to commiserate with the governor and the people of Oyo state on that needless explosion that took place the last time in Ibadan.

    “The visit is still an ongoing process and we believe Southwest has always been a model and that we will continue to have. We are also working on how to have a southwest legislative summit where all the members of houses of assembly in the Southwest will all come together and fortunately, Oyo has also agreed to host that, so that we can come together to address some of the issues that we are facing such as insecurity, regional integration, economy and what have you.”

    In attendance were the Chairman, Nigeria Conference of Speakers and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Olamide Adesanmi and the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Adewale Egbedun.

  • I plan to build on governor’s success, says lawmaker

    I plan to build on governor’s success, says lawmaker

    The lawmaker representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa in the House of Representatives, Najemdeen Oyedeji, has said his plan for his constituents is to build on the success of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

    He said his agenda to turn big farm settlements to farm estates, promote increase in yields of farmers and attract more youths into agriculture had reached implementation stage.

    Speaking during an interactive session, the lawmaker noted that rehabilitation of Okeho-Iganna road in Kajola Local Government would begin in March, which would ease travelling burden of residents of Okeho, Iganna and other communities in the local government.

    Read Also: Sir, why is this country populated by bad people? (For attention of Governor Seyi Makinde)

    He said: “In the area of security, we know that the security agencies have their control bases from the top in Abuja, but we will work with stakeholders to pre-empt crisis between farmers and herders with frequent dialogues among farmers, herders, community elders and other stakeholders. With this in place, there will be no crisis.”

    On education, the lawmaker said 138 students from the constituency would benefit from his special scholarship scheme in the next three years, adding that the scholarship would have no political colouration, but would be given to those in genuine need of the support.

    He said he has concluded plans to give 42 students scholarship to study at SAF Polytechnic, Iseyin, annually, while University of Ibadan, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo will have a candidate each annually.

  • Communities seek Adeleke’s, Makinde’s intervention over impending clash

    Communities seek Adeleke’s, Makinde’s intervention over impending clash

    Following the tension brewing between boundary communities in Osun and Oyo states, the affected communities have sought the intervention of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and his Oyo counterpart, Seyi Makinde, before the situation escalates into a communal clash.

    The monarchs of the affected communities- Oloja of Agberire, Oba Jacob Alajide; Alakinleye of Akinleye, Oba Abiodun Taofeeq Nafiu; Ologburo of Ogburo, Oba Asimiyu Sodeeq Agboluaje; Agbodowu of Foritaje, Oba Oyeniyi Amoo; Alawuje of Awuje, Oba Hamzat Mikhail Abidogun and Olota of Ilota, Oba Adetunji Suhaib Akano, converged on Ogburo community in Iwo Local Government to make the plea.

    A former chairman of Iwo Local Government, Tajudeen Babatunde, who spoke on behalf of the communities, urged the governors to intervene in the matter before those planning communal clash actualise their plot.

    He said some people were peddling claims on radio stations in Oyo State that their communities land belonged to Ibadan, which was capable of arousing communal dispute if not checkmated because efforts had been made by some villages to shift allegiance to Oyo State in the past.

    Read Also: NJC reinstates Justice Ojo as Osun CJ, kicks Adeleke’s petition out

    Babatunde said: “Claims that Ogburo land belongs to Ibadan is not true. Historically and legally, Ogburo belongs to Iwo in Osun State. Our forefathers came from Ile-Ife, including the current king. Ten kings had reigned in Ogburo and they were all installed by Oluwo of Iwo. No one was installed by Olubadan.

    “During a case between Oba Ogundiran, the Ologburo Apelujo, in 1937, when the then Oluwo went to the court to witness against Ogundiran, it was then Ologburo Apelujo decided to shift his allegiance to Ibadan and he couldn’t achieve his aim before he died. In 2006, the Oluwo of Iwo installed the present Ologburo. Osun State Government provided amenities in the town.” 

    He added: “Osun and Oyo state governments should warn those planning to cause dispute.

    Whoever cares should go for a referendum to know the facts. We have gone to the court several times and we won.

    Some villages tried to shift loyalty to Ibadan, we dragged them to court and we won. Some villages tried nonsense and we made them know through legal means that we own the land.”

  • Governor hands over vans to security agents

    Governor hands over vans to security agents

    Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has warned criminals to look elsewhere, saying his administration would continue to prioritise security as one of its four pillars.

    The governor said this yesterday while presenting 30 pick-up vehicles to security agencies in the state.

    Read Also: Oyo kingmakers sue Makinde, others over selection of new Alaafin

    He said the vehicles were meant to maintain peace and security in and around the state.

    Makinde, represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, said the vehicles were in fulfilment of the promises he made in the build-up to the 2023 general election.

  • N70bn required to overhaul education in Oyo – Makinde

    N70bn required to overhaul education in Oyo – Makinde

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has said his government would need between N60billion to N70billion to overhaul the infrastructure in the state’s education sector.

    This is as he assured that the state government will continue to support the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association to lift the standard of education and equally restore the old glory of the school.

    The governor spoke at the weekend at the Government College Ibadan, while commissioning several projects facilitated by the old students of different sets of the school.

    Governor Makinde, speaking shortly after the commissioning of the projects, appreciated the Old Boys Association of the school for its efforts since the inception of his administration, saying that government alone cannot solve all the challenges in the education sector and that well-meaning individuals, old students associations and others should team up with the government.

    According to him, about N60billion to N70billion is required to overhaul and transform all the infrastructure in the state’s education sector.

    He noted that most of the projects executed by the GCIOBA are not for the benefit of their children or immediate family but for the next generations of those who will attend the school.

    He, therefore, called on other old students’ associations not to forget their alma maters by contributing to the growth of their institutions and education in the state through various projects to complement the efforts of the state government.

    Makinde said: “Let me first of all use this opportunity to appreciate the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association. Since I came in four years ago, we have worked together to lift the standard of education in Oyo state and to restore the old glory of the Government College Ibadan.

    “I have been coming here on a yearly basis to commission projects. So, I will call on other old students, you know some of these things that they are doing, I said to them, they are not for them and perhaps not even for their children but they are concerned about the next generations.

    Read Also: Food Security: Shettima arrives US to participate in AfDB event

    “I will ask other old students associations not to forget how they came to the dance floor in the first instance, they should remember their alma maters and do something for them.”

    The projects commissioned by the governor and facilitated by the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association were, a state of the art 3-in-1 court for basketball, volleyball and handball, refurbished and restored library and two separate technical education workshops for metal and wood donated by Central Bank of Nigeria in support of technical education.

    On the entourage of Governor Makinde were the Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, commissioners and other top government functionaries.

  • Sir, why is this country populated by bad people? (For attention of Governor Seyi Makinde)

    Sir, why is this country populated by bad people? (For attention of Governor Seyi Makinde)

    We are today dealing with a matter of urgent National Interest; a matter that should prick the conscience of Nigerians, and one that should, henceforth,  see us extend a hand of fellowship to others, especially  disadvantaged Nigerians who are in much greater need than ourselves.

    In August, 2023, the federal government announced a N5 billion palliative package for each state of the federation,  the federal capital territory (FCT) inclusive, to cushion the impact of petrol subsidy removal.

    According to informed sources, this was to  enable state governments  procure 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize and fertilizer, to cushion  the effect of food shortage in the country. To avert any inflationary pressures which may result from releasing such huge funds at once, government, in its wisdom, released to each state only N2B out  of the N5B, which is actually a combination of grants and borrowings from the federal government.

    Also as part of the government’s  plan to reduce poverty, President Tinubu in his Independence Day speech announced the commencement of a N75,000 cash transfer programme, over a period of 3 months, at N25,000 monthly, to 15 million households across the country.  However, because the Social Register faced some  integrity questions during the Buhari administration, a new one is to be compiled by states using formal and informal means to ensure that all beneficiaries at the sub-national level are captured, and easily  accessed. This is in accordance with the decision of the National Economic Council (NEC) at its July, 2023 meeting.

    These are all worthy efforts aimed at reducing the difficulties confronting the generality of Nigerians as a result of some much needed reforms from which past governments ran away  but which President Tinubu  has boldly, and frontally, addressed for the longer term good of the country.

    A critical question, however, remains regarding the handling of the palliatives namely: as presently being implemented, are palliatives actually getting to those who need them the most, or are those in charge of the distribution merely cornering them for only themselves, their friends and relations?

    This question becomes very germane because there are  already newspaper reports of arrests being made of public servants selling palliatives in open markets in some states of the federation. For example, bags of such  items meant for Limawa Ward of Chanchaga local government area of Niger state were reportedly diverted and sold at a market in the state capital, Minna.

    This practice is probably not limited to that local government area or even to Niger state, meaning that palliatives are certainly not getting to  those who really need them.

    One of those in dire need of palliatives, but is being denied them,  is  an Ogbomoso – based gentleman, Mr Sunday Fakunle, more popularly known in his neck of wood as Alheri. I am yet to meet him, but some years ago, he sent me a comment in reaction to one of the articles on this column in which he informed me of his physical and health condition. Since  Alheri  did that, I have tried  as much as I can, to reach out to him with what could best be described only as my widow’s mite. How he sees that little, however, should be  obvious from his message below.

    Read Also: Follow-up letter to Seyi Makinde

    The message, from which I got the title of this article, and dated 3 October, 2023 reads as follows:

    “Good morning Sir. Firstly, how is your health Sir? I pray, and continually pray for you because you are very special to me. Sir, I am saddened about the people that inhabit this country. As an HANDICAP LIVING WITH A BELOW THE KNEE AMPUTATION,  and struggling to survive like able – bodied people, I have not been privileged to meet  any one, either in government, or elsewhere, who has seen my physical condition and tried to help me to secure any    pallative or give me any incentive, whatever, to cushion the effect of the present difficult situation in the country on me, except you. Besides God, you have been my only helper.

    Sir we hear that it is those able – bodied men and women in government  who are diverting  the  palliatives to themselves and their relations.

    Sir why is this country populated by bad people all around ? Signed:Alheri.

    I recently returned to the country after a 3 – month visit  abroad during which I lost contact with Alheri. All efforts to reach him through my account officer, as well as my driver, both of whom I gave his telephone number failed, because, as he later told me, his phone was not working.

    I am seizing this opportunity to bring the case of citizen Sunday Fakunle, aka Alheri,  to the attention of the Omoluabi governor of Oyo state, the fair-minded, politically sagacious Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, whose political choices in the events leading to the 2023 Presidential election, mark him out for greater future roles in our country’s affairs. And to him, I wish to say the following:

    Sir, Sunday Fakunle, your Ogbomosho – based ‘below the knee amputee citizen’ direly needs your kind attention. He needs all the assistance you can give him; not just in palliatives, but also a  job that would be able to sustain him and his family.

    It will be greatly appreciated, dear governor,  if on reading this, you would kindly immediately direct the Chairman of Ogbomoso South Local Government Area, where Alheri resides,  to fish out Mr Fakunle from his residence at: Ile Olajide, Beside Total Petrol station, Caretaker Area, Ogbomosho. His telephone number is +234 816 435 6886.

    In addition, please instruct all the Local Government Chairmen in Oyo state to make it a point of duty to locate persons with disability in the state who should, henceforth, be placed on a priority list of palliative beneficiaries.

    Yes, almost all Nigerians need palliatives at a time like this, but some are in far greater need of it than others. You will be greatly appreciated as you do this.

    I shall be seeking the approval of this newspaper’s editor to have the Oyo state correspondent of The Nation personally present this plea ( article) to   Governor Makinde, believing that he would  act, proactively, in his usual statesman – like manner.

  • I won’t interfere in Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system – Gov. Makinde

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday promised not to interfere in the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system, but work to achieve its  desired goals.

    The governor gave the assurance during the 86th birthday anniversary and chieftaincy celebration of High Chief (Mrs) Theresa Oyekanmi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

    Oyekanmi was recently installed as the 14th Iyalode of Ibadan land after the demise of Alhaja Aminat Abiodun.

    Makinde was represented by Mrs Funmi Orisadeyi, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

    Read Also: ‘It’s unfair to assess Makinde now’

    “As your son, I am reassuring you of my support for the progress of Ibadan.

    “Let me re-state that I will not interfere in the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system,” he said.

    He solicited the support of traditional institutions across the state for his administration in transforming the state.

    The governor congratulated the new Iyalode of Ibadanland, praying that she would live long.

    The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, also prayed that his reign and that of the Iyalode would last long and bring the desired growth to Ibadan land.

    NAN reports that the event was attended by prominent sons and daughters of Ibadan land as well as associations.

    Among the dignitaries are Oba Lekan Balogun, Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land; High Chief Lekan Alabi, Agbaakin of Ibadan land; and Chief Sarafadeen Alli, a former Secretary to Oyo State Government

    NAN

     

  • Makinde, Akanni Aluko, others eulogise Archbishop Abegunrin as he clocks 70

    OYO State governor, Seyi Makinde, the Publisher of the defunct Third Eye newspapers and a business mogul, Chief Akanni Aluko, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, at the weekend eulogised the virtues of the Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Leke Abegunrin, as he celebrates his 70th birthday.

    The President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Augustine Akubueze and about 30 bishops across the country also gathered in Ibadan to share the joy of the celebration with Abegunrin.

    They described the celebrant as a man who has dedicated his life to the church and wished him many more years of service to the Lord.

    Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde who was represented by his Executive Assistant, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, expressed delight and profound gratitude to God for the life of the celebrant.

    He told the congregation that the prayers of the church and constant supplication and support  of the celebrant had in no small way contributed to his victory at the poll.

    While promising that he would make good use of the mandate given him by the people of the state to improve the living standard of the masses, governor Makinde sought for continous support of the church to ensure that he succeeds.

    Read Also: Makinde appoints UI don as Economic Adviser

    Particularly, the governor charged members of the church to ensure they always pay their taxes as citizens of the state to assist the government in the provision of infrastructure, good health delivery, qualitative education and other social amenities to lift the standard of living of the masses.

    He wished the celebrant many more years on earth in good health.

    Chief Akanni Aluko who was elated to witness the epoch event described the Archbishop as a man very dear to his heart and prayed that God should shower His blessings on him.

     

  • Why I can’t settle Makinde, ZLP’s rift, by Ladoja

    A FORMER governor of Oyo State and chieftain of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, has said that other leaders of his party restrained him from intervening to resolve the disagreement between Governor Seyi Makinde and the ZLP in the state.

    Ladoja stated this while addressing reporters on the occasion of his 75th birthday in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The former governor chaired the formation of the alliance of political parties that worked for Makinde’s victory in the March 9 election. While Makinde is of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ladoja is of the ZLP. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were part of the alliance.

    But ZLP leaders have been at loggerheads with Makinde over the sharing of political appointments since he was sworn in on May 29.

    The party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Alli, had indicated his interest in the position of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), but the governor did not oblige him, The Nation learnt.

    Read Also: Makinde, wife to receive special recognition award

    Instead, Makinde appointed Alli as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council, the ZLP candidate never turned up for the inauguration or activities of the council.

    Since then, the party has been in a silent tussle with the governor, believing that Makinde had turned his back on its members and abandoned the gentleman agreement of giving 15 per cent of all positions to members of ZLP.

    Ladoja said ZLP as a party, asked him to stay clear of the tussle, adding that it vowed to handle it in its own way.

    The former governor said Makinde had been treating him as an individual political leader, stressing that he respects the governor’s decisions and those of the ZLP.

    Reflecting on his 75 years of living, Ladoja explained that his experience had been enriched with several successes and disappointments in all spheres of life.

    But he expressed satisfaction with the contributions he has made to both the private and public sectors.

  • Makinde, ALGON trade words over council funds

    The Oyo State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has faulted Governor Seyi Makinde’s claims that the judgment restraining him and the House of Assembly from sacking the council chairmen and members of the Board of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has been vacated.

    Makinde had stated on Southwest Political Circuit, a political interview programme on Ibadan-based Fresh FM at the weekend that the judgment has been vacated.

    He spoke through his Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Hon. Samuel Adejumobi (aka Agbara po).

    The judgment had restrained the governor and the House of Assembly from sacking the elected chairmen, conducting another election or tampering with the funds of the councils. But the chairmen were sacked two hours after the new governor was sworn in on May 29.

    Reacting to the claim on Sunday in a telephone chat with The Nation, ALGON Chairman, Hon. Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, challenged Makinde to produce the evidence that the judgment had been vacated.

    He said the appeal filed against the judgment by the state government was still pending at the Court of Appeal, adding that the appellate court was yet to fix the date of hearing because the judges went on holiday.

    The ALGON boss challenged the state government to name the court that vacated the judgment and the date such decision was taken. He urged Makinde to stop deceiving the public over his alleged wrong steps, stressing that integrity should be the hallmark of a governor.

    Read Also: Makinde: my victory triumph of truth over falsehood 

    Makinde also said that his administration was not borrowing to pay staff of local governments and Local Council Development Areas as claimed by the ALGON chairman.

    He said council funds are intact but that the government was paying salaries from it without borrowing.

    Makinde said ALGON came out with the allegation of borrowing because it did not understand how his administration was handling the prompt payment of salaries which he accused the past administration of having inflated by about N1 billion shortly after the March 9 governorship election which it lost.