Tag: Seyi Makinde

The Southern Governors Forum has commiserated with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, over the loss of his elder brother, Sunday Makinde, who died on Friday, January 24 at the age of 65 years.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday,  the chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun,  said the forum was saddened to learn of the sudden death of the deceased, adding that the loss of a sibling is always a painful development that is difficult to bear.

He, however, urged the Oyo State Governor to take courage from his Christian faith which teaches that the love of God supersedes love for family and loved ones and that the will of God is sovereign.

He added that even though the deceased did not live to a ripe old age, solace must be taken because he lived a distinguished and impactful life.

Governor Abiodun said: “On behalf of myself and the members of the Southern Governors Forum, I commiserate with my brother, His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Abiodun Makinde, on the demise of his elder brother,  Engineer Sunday Makinde, in the early hours of Friday, January 24.

“No doubt, the incident is harrowing and difficult to bear, especially as the deceased was not reported to have been ill.

“We know, however, that by Biblical tenets, the separation that has happened now is only temporary, and we have a promise of eternal life in Christ and the Kingdom of God in which we shall meet to part no more.

“We urge His Excellency to take this sad incident as an act of God and to take solace in the impactful life that the deceased lived, and the fact that Almighty God blessed him with children and grandchildren who will carry on in his stead.

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“May The Good Lord comfort the wife and children of the deceased and the extended Makinde family. “

Also, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin has expressed his heartfelt condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde over the sudden passing of his elder brother, Engineer Sunday Makinde.

In a condolence message, Speaker Ogundoyin described Engineer Sunday Makinde’s death as a great loss to the Makinde family and the people of Oyo State.

“This is a great loss. The news of the death of the seasoned Engineer was shocking to me as the Governor’s family has lost a beloved soul, their patriarch. The people of Oyo State stand with His Excellency and his family during this difficult period. We pray to the Lord to grant you all strength and comfort in the face of this irreparable loss,” Ogundoyin said.

A delegation of the Oyo State Government, led by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, on Friday, also visited the family of the deceased.

The delegation included the wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja, commissioners, and other political functionaries.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to partnering with local and foreign investors for the development and economic prosperity of the state.

The governor stated this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of Chinese businessmen and investors in his conference room, Office of the Governor, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

While welcoming them to the state, the governor said they were in the right place for business partnership as Oyo State is open for business, adding that his administration would do everything possible to support businesses in the state.

Makinde noted that the state would not relent in its efforts to expand and boost its economy through local and foreign investors who are willing and ready to partner with the state government.

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He also expressed hope that the state and the Chinese investors would have mutually beneficial business collaboration.

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the team, Consul-General of Nigeria in Shanghai, China, Ambassador Gbadebo Afolabi, expressed the readiness of the Chinese businessmen to partner with the state government on infrastructure development, energy, agriculture, and mining.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Working Committee for Overseas Cooperation of the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr He Lixiong, who spoke through an interpreter, Mr Innocent Okonkwo, said the visit aimed at collaborating with the state government on critical sectors of the economy.

The event had in attendance the Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo; Director-General, Oyo State Investment and Public Private Partnership Agency, Hon. Tilewa Folami; and Mr. Tosin Ayoade.

Others in the Chinese delegation were Dean, Qingdao Tourism Planning and Architectural Design Institute, Mr Zezhong Yang; the Chief Executive Officer, Sichuan Branch of China Machinery Industry Construction Group Inc., Mr Wang Fan; Manager, Changzhou Sanxin Energy Company Limited, Mr Liu Xiangdong; and the Secretary, Nigerian Kazakhstan Business Council and Strategic Partners, China Overseas Working Committee, Mr Kehinde Adeyemi.

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has sworn in 48 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the state Civil/Public Service, urging them to discharge their duties effectively and do their best for the state.

He urged the new Permanent Secretaries to work hand in hand with his government to achieve its vision of sustainable development in the state.

The governor stated this at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday, shortly after the oaths of office and allegiance were administered to the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries.

Governor Makinde described the event as historic, adding that the process of their appointments was based on objectivity and merit, without any interference from anywhere.

The governor noted that the appointment of Permanent Secretaries in the education and local government sectors was done to encourage and motivate individuals working silently, and also to institutionalise the sectors in the service.

He congratulated the new Permanent Secretaries and also appreciated the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, for handling the appointment processes diligently.

Governor Makinde said: “History is being made today because appointing 48 Permanent Secretaries is no joke; these are vacancies that have to be filled. We didn’t play politics with it. We did not create those positions, as they have been in existence. It’s just that over time, we have had mostly Coordinating Directors, but now, we have appointed Permanent Secretaries.

“If you remember, when this administration came in, what we found on the ground was a situation where the appointment of Permanent Secretaries was discretionary. But we started a new culture when we arrived. We had an exam and we were picking from the list.

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“Let me use this opportunity to thank the Head of Service for managing this situation diligently. She deserves all the accolades. You will notice that in the education sector, we took time to appoint Inspectors-General and Tutors-General.

“Our future is about how we can educate our children because they are the future. So, if you have people who are contributing to building our future, how do you encourage them? That is why we opened up that space to institutionalise the process whereby teachers and those in the education sector can also be compensated.

“The same applies to those in the local government sector. At the local government level, we felt that people are working tirelessly because it’s the closest government to the people. But every time I look through the records, I see that it is always a token for the LG. We are trying to redress that so that we can encourage the people working at that level to reach the peak of their careers as well.

“When you work hard, the reward is more work. So, I want to say to you that this is just the beginning. You have to do your best to justify the appointment. Also, you need to remember that you swore an oath to be fair to everybody. So, don’t forget the oath when you are making decisions and writing memos. Please do your best for our state.”

The 48 new Permanent Secretaries include three Permanent Secretaries appointed earlier and 15 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries from the mainstream; 15 from the education sector comprising Inspectors-General of Education and Tutors-General; and six from the health sector.

Others are seven from the local government sector; the Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House and the Surveyor-General of the state.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has reiterated his commitment to standing by the law on the leadership tussle trailing the choice of the national secretary of the party.

The governor said even before the recent court pronouncement on the issue of the pary’s national secretary, he had made his position clear from inception that he will only do what is right in the face of the law.

Makinde spoke over the weekend when the members of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid him a visit.

The visit was to commiserate with the governor on the death of 35 children during a stampede and to present the new National Secretary of the party, Rt. Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, to him.

The governor also at the meeting charged the leaders that Nigerians are waiting for the PDP to get its acts together so that they can provide the needed alternative for good governance. 

He added that Nigerians want a situation where they will be able to kick out non-performing leaders, adding that this would only be possible if there are alternatives.

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Makinde said, “The leaders in the party and members of the NWC came to commiserate with us on the unfortunate incident that happened towards the end of last year. Because of that, I cancelled my birthday celebration. Even though belated, they still felt they should come and wish me well at the beginning of a New Year.

“Yes, this New Year has given us the opportunity to talk about happenings within our party, especially the issues surrounding the rule of law.

“There is a court pronouncement on the issue of the National Secretary. My position was clear from day one and I will always follow the rule of law. This is the new National Secretary by court pronouncement. I said without mincing words that we will stay on the side of the law.

“We deliberated a little bit on what are the things ahead of us. 2025 is going to be a pivotal year for us as a party.

“Four years ago, I was the secretary of the Convention Planning Committee that midwived this NWC, and four years after, we have to conduct the exercise again.

“We do know that Nigerians are waiting for the PDP to get its acts together. You can see how united the members of the NWC of our party are. There is no faction and this will give a headache to some people.

“Well, this is the beginning of a lot of good things to come in terms of party administration and commitment. I heard good things from these leaders; things that I was not even thinking deeply about.

“One of them said to us that there should not be any sacrifice that would be too big to make in the interest of our party and the interest of Nigerians. We are looking forward to not a one-party state. Nigerians don’t want a one-party state. They want alternatives. They want to be able to kick people out if they are not delivering on their promises.

“So, there is commitment to ensure that Nigeria does not slide into a one-party state.”

Speaking earlier on behalf of the NWC members, the new National Secretary of the PDP, Udeh-Okoye, commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State on the unfortunate stampede that resulted in death.

He said, “we commiserate with Oyo State people through the governor and our wonderful leader.

“We also want to appeal to the family that lost their loved ones to bear it, having it in mind that it was the will of God that they should go through that channel.

“We also want to say that, we in the PDP, we are one. And when one cries, the other one also joins. And Oyo State being a PDP state, we are mourning with the state and we commiserate with the affected families and Oyo State at large.

“As the new Secretary, I am bringing unity and cohesion on board. I am going to make sure that from this year onward, the party would function effectively well as the leading opposition party in Nigeria.

“And by the grace of God, by 2027, we will take over Nigeria and give Nigerians the good governance they desire.

“I know that Nigerians are waiting for us. Very soon, you will see the majority of them, including members of the ruling party coming back to the PDP.”

The NWC members in attendance include Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman; ⁠Hon. Mrs Amina Bryhm, National Women Leader; Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, National Legal Adviser; Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary.

Also in attendance were Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, National Treasurer; Obi Okechukwu, National Auditor; Hon. Barr. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Dr Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary; Dr. Bovoa Emmanuel, National Vice Chairman PDP North-East and High Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman PDP South-East.

The Nation reports that Sunday Udeh-Okoye last week declared himself the National Secretary of the party, citing a recent Court of Appeal judgment.

He had stormed the PDP national headquarters in Wadata Plaza, Abuja to announce his takeover of the office, stating that his actions were in compliance with the appellate court ruling that affirmed him as the rightful replacement for Senator Sam Anyanwu. 

Governor Seyi Makinde has addressed speculations about his relationship with key suspects in the Ibadan children’s funfair tragedy, which claimed the lives of over 35 children. 

He assured the public that justice would be served to prevent such a disaster from recurring.  

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Muslim Community of Oyo State, led by Alhaji Kunle Sanni, Governor Makinde acknowledged public reactions, especially on social media, given his perceived closeness with Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM and a suspect in the case. 

He emphasised that those criticising him may not fully understand his principles and commitment to justice.  

Responding to the visitors’ plea to temper justice with mercy for Hamzat, the governor stressed the need to also honour the memory of the 35 innocent children who lost their lives. 

He described their deaths as avoidable, lamenting the loss of future leaders whose dreams were tragically cut short. 

Makinde expressed empathy, stating that if one of his children had been among the victims, his stance might have been even more resolute. 

He emphasised that every life is precious and equal before God, reiterating his administration’s commitment to ensuring justice for all. 

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Makinde said: “The incident at Islamic High School was avoidable and the loss of innocent lives was a sad one. Some of them would have been future leaders. Some could have been future presidents, but the dreams are dead. 

“And then, I listened to people on social media who were saying that because I know Oriyomi Hamzat, justice won’t prevail. I said to myself that these people don’t probably know the kind of person their governor is.  

“When Prof. was talking, he said something about tempering justice with mercy. Yes, we will get to that, but if my child was among those who died, I would be saying something differently. And, no life is bigger than any other life; we are equal before God. 

“It is easier for people to say I know certain people, and they should be treated as such. What about the 35 innocent souls that died? Don’t they also deserve justice? That was why early this year, I signed off the rule of law enforcement authority. We want our systems to work like that of the developed world. The rule is the rule; the law is the law. But for us, we don’t want to do those things, and they are impeding our progress. 

“Inasmuch as we’re fair to everybody, it is fine. On my watch, whoever deserves justice will get it. And how do we ensure that this does not occur again? Those are the things we have to look into.”

Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora (OID) has commiserated with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and families of victims of the tragic stampede, which occurred during a Christmas funfair that claimed over 30 minors in Ibadan.

The group described the sad incident as unfortunate and avoidable, saying OID was saddened by the devastating news.

A statement by spokesperson, Ayotomiwa Adebayo, a lawyer, hailed the swift intervention of the Governor Makinde-led administration and efforts by rescue agencies towards the tragedy.

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“Also, the governor showed humility, sensitivity and selfless approach to the citizens’ welfare by cancelling his birthday celebration to honour the victims and their families. This is highly commendable. We stand with you and appreciate your love for the departed children.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the government, the people of Oyo State and the families of the affected children.