Tag: Seyi Makinde

…as Dapo Abiodun visits over Ibadan stampede

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced plans for a peer-review meeting with Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in the New Year. 

The meeting aims to foster collaboration on issues critical to residents of both states.

Makinde disclosed this on Monday while receiving Governor Abiodun in Ibadan. He noted that the partnership would focus on opportunities in the agriculture sector, particularly the tractorisation policy, as well as other areas of mutual benefit.

The Oyo governor also expressed gratitude to Abiodun, who chairs the Southwest Governors’ Forum, for visiting to condole with the state over the tragic deaths of 35 children during a stampede at a private funfair in Ibadan.

He said: “Your Excellency, thank you so much for the visit. We appreciate you being with us at this difficult period.

“My brother’s visit presented an opportunity to also rub minds. We were talking about tractorisation and the strategy they have adopted in Ogun State as well as what we are doing here.

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“We agreed that we will have a peer-review visit in the New Year so that we can leverage the good things happening there and they can also leverage the good things happening here.”

Speaking earlier, the Ogun State governor expressed the condolences of the people of the state and the Southern Governors’ Forum to Governor Makinde over the unfortunate incident.

He described the event that led to the deaths of innocent children as a good initiative that turned bad, advising non-governmental organisations that have such initiatives to always work with the government for proper planning when organising such charity programmes.

Abiodun prayed for the repose of the souls of the children, who lost their lives, their bereaved parents and the people of Oyo State.

He said: “I am here on behalf of myself, family, the entire people of Ogun State and the entire Southern Governors’ Forum of Nigeria.

“We have come to commiserate with the governor and the entire people of Oyo State on the very unfortunate incident that happened on Wednesday 18th of December, 2024, where a good initiative turned sour.

“We all woke up to the news the following day and I decided to come on behalf of all of us and condole with the governor and the people as well as the government of Oyo State.

“The entire Southern governors are pained by this occurrence. In Ogun State, we believe anything that affects Oyo State affects us as well. Our prayer is that we won’t witness such an occurrence again.

“We will continue to remember all those affected in our prayers.”

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has announced plans for a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s education infrastructure in 2025, emphasising the government’s ongoing efforts to allocate resources effectively for the sector.

Speaking during a media chat on Saturday, aired by the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) and other radio stations across the state, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming education. 

While acknowledging progress, he stressed the need to intensify efforts to enhance the critical sector.

Governor Makinde also addressed the tragic loss of 35 children in a stampede in Ibadan on Tuesday, describing the incident as a monumental tragedy. 

He called for a minute of silence to honor the victims and reflected on the avoidable nature of the tragedy, along with the Bodija explosion of January 2024, which he said could have been prevented with proper actions.

On allegations that suspects arrested in connection with the Bodija explosion had been freed, the governor clarified that their case remains before the appropriate authorities and assured that the legal process is ongoing, even if slow.

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Highlighting his administration’s prioritization of education, Makinde noted that Oyo state consistently exceeds UNESCO’s recommended benchmark for budgetary allocation to education. 

He reiterated that despite substantial investments, much more needs to be done, recalling his earlier statement that nearly N60 billion would be required to fully address the sector’s needs.

He said: “We are trying to rearrange our resources to do more for the education sector. It is not for fun that since I came in, we have exceeded the UNESCO recommended figure.

“For tertiary institution, I can say we are doing well and I am satisfied.”

Makinde also reiterated his administration’s commitment to economic expansion, emphasising the need to take decisive actions to break the cycle of poverty, even when such decisions may initially seem harsh to residents.

He assured residents that his government remains focused on initiatives that serve their best interests while addressing longstanding economic challenges.

Makinde highlighted steps taken by his administration to overcome limitations faced by previous governments, including the development of housing estates and the planned corridor on the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road. 

He explained that these initiatives are designed to stimulate the state’s economy and deliver long-term benefits to the people.

The governor urged residents to trust in the administration’s vision, noting that breaking poverty cycles requires bold and sometimes unpopular decisions aimed at ensuring sustainable growth for Oyo state.

“Now, we have too many mouths to feed. How do we break out of the cycle of poverty? I want the people to know that this is their government, and we will continue to do things in the best interest of the people. But people should know that when you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact, you must strike.

“The vision of our founding fathers is not that of poverty. And those who have tried to develop the state had limitations, which we are trying to move out of. We need to produce more and expand our economy and provide opportunities for a whole lot of people irrespective of their political leanings and religions.

“Look at the issue of the Circular Road and some of the places we are opening up for development and some people describing me as a land grabber. I am not a land grabber. I am a firm believer in the saying that it is only an idiot that will continue to do something the same way and expect a different result. I believe that our leaders in the past tried their best.

“It is even the land grabbers that are calling me a land grabber. Some people are being investigated right now.

“The concept of the Circular Road, people may not understand it. They thought it would be like Iwo Road to Beere. No. It will be the very first motorway in Nigeria.

“The 32km stretch from Tech U to Badeku only has two exit points. How we want to develop the place requires that there must be a corridor.”

The governor equally noted that his government has been able to ensure a steady development of the state over the last five years.

He stated that the state’s budget performance has improved drastically over the years, saying: “We realigned the budget immediately we came in 2019. With that we were able to achieve about 48 per cent budget performance. 

“Our first full budget was in 2020 before COVID-19 hit the world and, at the end of the year, we still did well to achieve about 60 per cent.

“Right now, we are well over 70 per cent. That is why, for us, you will notice that we have had stability in terms of how projects are executed and the people’s liveability in the state.”

Governor Makinde also used the occasion of the media chat to clarify his position on the controversial Tax Reform Bill by the Federal Government, noting that he was not opposed to the tax reforms, but that the Federal Government needed to engage with a wider array of stakeholders to achieve a meaningful reform.

The governor, who was part of those who briefed the media on the position of the National Economic Council on the bill, following which he was criticised by a section of the public for opposing the tax reform bill, said Nigerians should learn to focus on the message rather than the messenger.

“At the level of the National Economic Council, we asked the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force a question on the whereabouts of the bill and he said that it was already at the National Assembly. I said if that was the case, why are you just coming here for us to debate and give you the approval as prayed. It amounted to putting the cart before the horse.

“It was an agreement reached unanimously at the NEC meeting; withdraw this bill from the National Assembly, let us have a wider consultation. If people have reservations here and there, it is something that is national and you can seek alignment. And when you align, it may be in the original form, or you may have to tweak it to accommodate whatever the stakeholders are going to say.

“I was asked to be part of the people that would brief the press, and my bit was to explain our decision on why the bill should be withdrawn so that consultation could happen with stakeholders, but some people just focused on the messenger as opposed to focusing on the message.”

A group, EnviroNews Advocacy and Campaigns for Sustainability (ENDVOCAS), has petitioned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state over the environmental risks posed by the transformation of the Ogunpa River Channelisation into a waste dump and encroachments into its designated setbacks.

In the petition titled: “Urgent Need to Address Transformation of Ogunpa River Channelization into a Waste Dump, and Encroachment into Allowable Setbacks,” the group accused government officials of inaction despite the growing environmental hazards.

Speaking to journalists in Ibadan, the executive director of ENDVOCAS, Michael Simire, expressed frustration over the government’s apparent disinterest or incapacity to address the issue. 

He revealed that the group is prepared to take legal action to compel the authorities to fulfill their responsibilities and safeguard the environment.

Simire urged the government to immediately stop illegal refuse dumping in the Ogunpa River Channel and implement measures to prevent a recurrence. 

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He also called for a halt to all encroachments on the channel’s setbacks, demanding the demolition of temporary and permanent structures erected within these areas, with offenders held accountable for their actions.

He stressed that urgent action is needed to protect the environment and serve the interests of the people.

“We demand that measures should be immediately it in place via a collaboration involving Oyo state government, federal government and World Bank to complete the Ogunpa River Channelization project so as to achieve the ultimate aim of the project such that the attendant incidences become a thing of the past.

“We are concern citizens, all we want is the best for our state and our dear country, what we seek is for the betterment of the people, protection of people and the environment is sacrosanct,” he said. 

No fewer than 4,000 petty traders at Bola lge International Market, Ibadan, Oyo State, have begged Governor Seyi Makinde to rescind his plan to demolish and displace them from their means of livelihood so that they would not become beggars.

The traders led by their chairman, Kola Oyewole during a rally held at the market said only Governor Makinde could save them from the hands of oppressors and compromised leaders in the market.

Oyewole urged Makinde not to demolish their stalls, so as not to give room for agents of destruction or oppressors within the market to hijack it for developers, who will rebuild and at the end of the day lease it out to them at an unaffordable price.

 According to him, the majority of the petty traders are widows and widowers, breadwinners of their families, and also operate their businesses through LAPO and other Micro-finances institutions that attract heavy interest.

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He said: “Going by past experiences in the market, those who had, had their shops demolished and rebuilt by developers lost everything and are now wallowing in pains, as they could not afford developers heavy money.

“We, the Petty Traders Association have passed a vote of no confidence on the so-called elders in the market. They are liars, oppressors, and killjoy people. We are now ready to discuss with our listening, people/masses-oriented, and forward-looking Governor Seyi Makinde.

“The Governor should allow us to rebuild our shops by ourselves, if that is what they wanted, just for the authority to give us the prototype and other things shall follow. We don’t want developers to come and rebuild for us.”

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday commissioned 5MW Phase 1 of the 11MW Ibadan Hybrid Power Plant (IBHP) to boost power generation and supply for a sustainable energy in the state.

 The commissioning held at the Power House, state secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan on Friday.

The governor said the hybrid power facility, which combines solar and gas energy, will enhance the state’s power supply, reduce energy costs, and promote environmental sustainability, adding that the Plant marks a historic achievement in the state’s energy sector.

 The power project which is a private sector driven on the basis of Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) arrangement will supply the state government Secretariat and the state House of Assembly among others.

 He noted that the Phase 1 completion, of the power project would serve and deliver uninterrupted power to critical infrastructure which also include 12 different healthcare facilities, a sports complex, judicial complexes, and some selected schools.

 He emphasized that the hybrid power system would not only boost power supply to industries and households but also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint by utilizing renewable sources of energy, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

 Stating the project would also enhance safety and visibility as well as boosting energy reliability and sustainability in the state, Makinde stressed that the power project would serve as a model to follow in Nigeria.

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 Makinde said, “As we commission this first phase of a project that I believe would serve as the fulcrum that is pivotal to the future development in our dear state. As every business person will tell you, there is a difference between growth and skill. To achieve growth, an organization will have resources and they try to limit their expenditure. So, this is what we have been doing in Oyo State for the past five and a half years.

 “This power plant is 100 per cent private investment because the government don’t have the money to do everything. But as government, we provided the enabling environment for investors to know that we are serious people. We have invested in road construction, interconnecting all the zones so that development spereads across the state.

 “We have focused on agribusiness so that investors come into our state through Private Public Development Partnership. We have invested in security so that see our dear state as they go to investment destination in Nigeria.

…hosts NSCDC boss Audi in Ibadan

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has reiterated his administration’s commitment to collaborate with and provide all necessary support to security outfits in the state. 

The governor gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who paid a courtesy visit to him at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Governor Makinde, who donated two patrol vehicles to the command, commended the NSCDC for being a pillar of support to the security architecture of Oyo State.

He stated that the Corps had been complementing the government’s efforts in making the state one of the safest in the country despite the security challenges experienced across the nation.

The governor equally acknowledged the important role the NSCDC has been playing in protecting the country’s oil assets, which according to him, are the most critical national economic assets of Nigeria.

Governor Makinde said: “I want to specially welcome you, the Commandant-General of the Civil Defence Corps and your team to Oyo State.

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“Let me also specially recognise the Oyo State Commandant of the Civil Defence, who is also a member of the Oyo State Security Council and I want to say it publicly that he is a valuable member of the council.

“We appreciate his contributions. When there is any issue, he and his team have never been found wanting. 

“The Civil Defence Corps in Oyo State is part of Operation Burst and they are actually doing very well. That is why Oyo State is one of the safest states in Nigeria. I know this is a challenging period for our security commanders. It is a tough period, because we have security challenges all over the country.

“About four weeks back, we were told about another terror group, Lakurawa, that just emerged in the North-West. About three days ago, I was also reading about the sabotage of the Chevron pipeline around Warri South. And we all know that oil is the lifeline for the nation’s economy. 

“At the political leadership level, for us, we will have to keep asking you to do more, even with fewer resources. So, thank you for the work you are doing to keep this country safe, especially this state.

“I can only say that we have to keep pushing and wherever we can collaborate and cooperate, I will like to give the commitment of the Oyo State Government. 

“We will also continue to do our own part to ensure that our officers and men that are outside day and night do not see their posting here as hardship posting. We will definitely always give them the necessary support.” 

The governor added that he would commemorate the visit by handing over two patrol vehicles to the NSCDC in the state.

Earlier in his remarks, the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr Audi, thanked the governor for the cordial relationship that exists between the Oyo State Government and the command as well as for his support towards the Corps.

He equally lauded the governor for his developmental strides and innovative reforms in the state, pledging that the Corps would continue to offer its support and ensure the maintenance of peace and security of lives and property of the residents of the state.

He also thanked the governor for donating two additional patrol vehicles to the Oyo State Command of the NSCDC, charging his officers to continue to discharge their duties as expected.

In attendance at the visit were the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Fola Oyekunle; Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni, Executive Assistant to the governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd); Director-General of Operation Burst, Col. James Ajibola (rtd); Commandant of Amotekun, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd) and the Special Adviser on Immigration and Homeland Services, ACG Segun Addgoke (rtd).

The NSCDC Commandant-General was accompanied by the Oyo State Commandant, Dr Augustine Padonu and other top officers of the NSCDC.

Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that his administration would continue to advocate ethical and effective leadership in the civil and public service of the state.

The governor stated this on Thursday at the 2024 Theophilus Akinyele Memorial Symposium themed “Reinventing Leadership and Ethics in Public Service,” held at the Theojoy Library, Theo Tower, New Bodija, Ibadan.

According to the governor, most of the challenges being faced by the country were due to the dearth of ethical and effective leadership at the level of civil/public service.

He lauded the late former Head of Service/Secretary to the state government, Pa Theophilus Akinyele, for his service to the state and the nation, noting that he and his contemporaries, who joined the civil/public service at the time, were the best of the best and they showed dedication to the country.

Governor Makinde added that his decision to prioritise the welfare of workers through the prompt payment of salaries on the 25th of every month and other measures had helped in reinventing and creating stability for workers in the state and also led to positive changes in their attitude to work.

He said: “The issue of ethical and effective leadership in the civil/public service is a topical one.

“During Baba Akinyele’s time, the best of the best joined the Civil Service and they were well paid. They were dedicated until Nigeria happened to us and the country threw away the baby with the bath water.

“Yes, we had issues; oil prices crashed and the economy was not going well and we should not have been in that position in the first place.

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“Before now, without oil money, they built Cocoa House, the first TV station in Africa, and implemented free education.

“Farm settlements were being set up then. We are just trying to fix Fasola and Eruwa Farm Settlements to diversify the economy of Oyo state, but some people had the dream before now because the best of the best was coming to work in the civil service.

“The people that showed dedication to the country were left hanging. As soon as we hit economic turbulence, they were the first to go. So, how do you now convince the people coming behind to show dedication?

“I believe that we need to take a step; over-depending on oil money will not take us beyond what we are seeing right now. So, we need to attract the best of our best to come to the civil service.

“That is why since we came in 2019, we said, look, payment of salary every 25th of the month would be sacrosanct. Part of why we took the decision was to start reinventing things and start creating stability for the public sector workers.

“I must admit that I have noticed a major shift in attitude since I came in. So, I would like to thank the HOS.

“We will continue to remember Baba because he deposited certain things in some of us and we will continue to exhibit that and push for ethical leadership both at the state and the federal levels.”

The governor also promised to bring Pa Akinyele’s vision for the development and urbanisation of the Ajia community in the Egbeda local government area of the state to fruition.

He said: “We worked on a particular project together because Baba Akinyele’s passion for the development of Ajia is second to none.

“The federal government awarded the contract to dualise the Ibadan-Ife road with a spur to Ajia, but if you go to Abuja to check the document, they have done the road but nobody touched the Ajia end.

“So, both of us thought of what to do and contributed money to fix the road. We needed the approval of the federal government, which they failed to give us. But when I became the governor, I awarded it and Baba was there the day we flagged the project off.

“We went to a place in South Africa to see a few places and to give us a vision of how Ajia should look some years to come. I want to assure you that what we saw, that’s what Ajia would look like. That’s a promise from me,” he added.