Tag: Seyi Makinde

Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora (OID) has lauded Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration for delivering dividends of democracy across the state.

The group said the governor’s economic reforms and people-friendly policies under the Omituntun 1.0 and Omituntun 2.0 agendas had driven development across critical sectors such as infrastructure, health, security, education, agribusiness, tourism and solid minerals.

It announced appointment of Mogaji Kayode Ogunsola as its North America chairman, overseeing activities of the group in the United States and Canada.

The appointment Ogunsola was approved by OID convener, Mr Moses Eledan, and formally announced in a statement signed by the OID spokesperson, Ayotomiwa Adebayo, a lawyer.

“We are grateful for his willingness to serve and confident that he will be an asset to the organisation. Ogunsola brings to OID over 30 years of extensive multinational corporate experience.”

Reacting to his appointment, Ogunsola expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his commitment to OID’s mission and values.

He hailed Makinde for his leadership and dedication to public service, describing him as a servant leader, who has made sacrifice by offering himself in service to the people.

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Ogunsola described Makinde as a promise keeper capable of turning vision into tangible progress.

He lauded his administration for laying strong foundation for citizen-focused governance and setting a national standard for development.

Ogunsola commended OID members across North America and the global diaspora for their support and commitment to Governor Makinde’s administration.

He said OID North America and its international network would continue to stand firmly behind the governor and support any future political aspirations he might pursue beyond 2027.

Ogunsola said: “The efforts of Governor Makinde have positioned Oyo State on a path from poverty to prosperity. The results are evidence-based and verifiable, reflecting a significant boost in the state’s economic performance under his leadership.

“We in the diaspora are proud of Governor Makinde’s extraordinary achievements and will continue to support his progressive vision for good governance.”

A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former governorship aspirant in the party, Oyedele Alao, has raised concerns over frequent loan requests by Governor Seyi Makinde.

He expressed displeasure in the light of increase in debt profile of the state, warning that the growing debt burden could jeopardise the future of the state.

A statement by Alao noted that money accruing to states had tripled since the removal of petroleum subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hence there was no need for obtaining any loan again.

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Alao, the Asiwaju of Irokoland, also took a swipe at the House of Assembly, saying: “It is disheartening that Oyo State House of Assembly, which is constitutionally mandated to scrutinise and provide checks on executive actions, has not been doing this.

“The approval of such a humongous loan without detailed public disclosure or an independent audit of past expenditures undermines the principles of transparency and good governance.

“The good people of Oyo State are left wondering how these funds will be allocated and whether they will genuinely address pressing developmental needs or merely add to the state’s debt burden.”

Alao, an engineer, lamented that lack of robust legislative oversight would not only weaken democracy, but would also risk eroding public trust in government.

He urged Governor Makinde to prioritise prudent financial practices and explore alternative revenue-generating measures to fund developmental projects without excessive reliance on loans.

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde and wife Tamunominini, on Friday marked their 27th wedding anniversary with the latter expressing gratitude and love for her husband. 

In a post on Instagram, Tamunominini described Governor Makinde as her rock, friend and soulmate who has loved her unconditionally over the years. 

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Sharing photos, she wrote: “Today, we celebrate 27 incredible years of marriage, love and adventure together. 

“You are the rock that holds me, the friend who laughs with me and the soul mate who loves me unconditionally. 

“I cherish every moment we have shared and look forward to many more years of happiness, laughter and making memories together.”

…attends Osun LG chairmen swearing in

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against undermining democracy by resorting to self-help in the administration of local governments in Osun State.

Speaking on Sunday at the swearing-in ceremony of 30 newly elected local government chairmen, Makinde urged the APC not to exploit federal power to disrupt democratic processes.

He congratulated the new chairmen and charged them to deliver democratic dividends to their people, emphasizing the need to justify the trust placed in them.

Makinde, who attended the event in Osogbo alongside the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, said their presence was to show solidarity with Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

While acknowledging that the APC might have secured a court judgment, he insisted that due process must be followed in its implementation rather than resorting to unlawful means.

Makinde also warned against any actions that could incite violence, recalling how past political instability once earned the South-West the infamous label of “Wild Wild West.”

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He said: “Let me congratulate the newly-minted chairmen and chairpersons of all the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State.

“Don’t forget the promises you made to the people during your campaign. This is an opportunity for you to deliver to the people at the grassroots level. My prayer is that with the support of your governor and the state government, you will deliver. 

“For some of you, this will be your stepping stone to higher positions, because the reward for hard work is more work.

“The chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and I decided to come here to witness this momentous occasion and to show solidarity with the government and the people of Osun State.

“Recently, we were in Lagos for the South-West Governors’ Forum meeting. We had PDP and APC governors from the South-West in attendance. We came together in the interest of our zone to tackle those problems that are common to us and our expectation is that we would have the support all the way to the top, because the essence of governance is to deliver the goods to the people in our various states and zones.

“So, when events started unfolding here in Osun State to the extent that lives were lost, we felt that we should come around and sound a note of warning. We are all students of history and we know what the South-West Region went through that made people tag it ‘Wild Wild West’ back then and we do not want that again. 

“We just want to peacefully deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. So, nobody should resort to self-help. Even if you have a court judgment, there is a process; let the process go through. 

“You cannot say that because you have the so-called federal might, you want to truncate the process. This is a federal arrangement.”

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has restated his commitment to the development of education sector, noting that education remains one of the major pillars of his administration.

The governor said that his government had been doing a lot of things in the education sector towards improving primary, secondary, and tertiary education in the state.

The governor said that he also believes that foreign education can help the state achieve its vision of economic expansion and development.

Makinde, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, made this statement on Friday, at the second edition of the International Study Abroad Fair (ISAF) 2025 with the theme: “Global Mastery, Local Impact: Empowering Minds Through International Education,” held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

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This was as the Managing Director of TPSEAL Education, United Kingdom, and host of the ISAF, Lady Tolu Eledan, reflected on the success of the ISAF 24, stating that it led to the facilitation of 100 fully-funded scholarships internationally for postgraduate studies worth about $10,000 each and amounting to $1,000,000 worth of scholarships for Oyo State students.

While delivering the keynote address entitled: “Harnessing International Education Experience for Local Economic Development,” Makinde noted that international education is not only about getting a degree abroad but about gaining exposure to new ideas, mastering advanced skills, and building networks across continents.

He added that though foreign education is good, youths must return home to put such acquired skills to use in the development of the country and make an impact locally.

Governor Seyi Makinde is set to address local and global education leaders at the second International Education Conference, scheduled for February 21 at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. 

The one-day event will feature distinguished speakers, including the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Global Engagement at INTI International University, Prof. Goh Khang Wen; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale; Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu; and DAAD Programme Officer for Nigeria, Dr. Debo Akande, among other eminent scholars. 

According to the host and partnership director of the project, Tolu Eledan, this year’s summit, themed “Global Mastery, Local Impact: Empowering Minds through International Education,” aims to bring together educators, researchers, policymakers, and global education experts to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and address challenges and opportunities in the sector. 

Eledan highlighted that the conference will offer cross-border networking opportunities, foster the exchange of innovative ideas, and equip students with insights into international study pathways.

“Additionally, it will expose professionals to international collaboration opportunities, scholarships, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria.

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She added that the 2nd International Education Conference 2025 is set to be a transformative event, shaping the future of education at local, national, and global levels.

“The summit is expected to drive meaningful discussions that will inform policies, strengthen institutional collaborations, and enhance student mobility across international academic institutions.”

Eledan further affirmed that Governor Makinde strongly believes education is the cornerstone of human development and a catalyst for positive change.

“This commitment has driven him, throughout his six years in office, to exceed UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) recommendation on education by allocating over 20 percent of the state’s budget to education and investing heavily in infrastructure and resources.

“Under his leadership, Oyo State has seen significant improvements in school enrollment rates, over 1.5 million out-of-school children have been absorbed into various public schools, teacher training programs, and the expansion of digital learning initiatives.

“As Oyo State continues to be a leading education hub and a top tourist destination—home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Governor aims to leverage the conference to attract diaspora investors, strengthen global partnerships, and showcase the state’s achievements in the education sector.

“Furthermore, the event will serve as a platform to highlight the government’s ongoing efforts in modernising education, fostering research-driven policies, and equipping students with globally competitive skills.”

Members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have commiserated with their member in Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde over the death of his elder brother, Engineer Sunday Makinde.

The NGF said in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, that it “is deeply saddened by the passing of Engineer Sunday Makinde, the eldest brother of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, who passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the age of 65.”

The forum added: “On behalf of the 36 Governors of the Federation, the NGF Chairman extends heartfelt condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde, the Makinde family, and the people of Oyo State.

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“Engineer Sunday Makinde’s exemplary life of service and dedication will forever remain an inspiration to all who associated with him.

“The NGF stands in solidarity with Governor Makinde during this moment of grief, offering our prayers and support to him and his family.

“We pray for the repose of Engineer Sunday Makinde’s soul and for God’s comfort to the Governor, his loved ones, and everyone mourning this profound loss.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his memory continue to serve as a beacon of love and unity.”