The Oyo State Government has announced that the two Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft it procured to strengthen security operations will arrive in the state before the end of July, following delays in their assembly by the Chinese manufacturers.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement issued after the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday.
According to Oyelade, the state had initially hoped to take delivery of the aircraft much earlier, but the assembly of their components took longer than expected.
He recalled that shortly after the Oriire abduction incident two months ago, the government had announced that the aircraft had arrived at the Nigerian Air Force Hangar in Ikeja, Lagos, where assembly commenced.
Briefing the Executive Council, Governor Seyi Makinde reportedly said he would have preferred the aircraft to be operational during the rescue mission for the Oriire abductees, but explained that the final decision rested on the professional and technical advice of the Chinese manufacturers.
The Council, according to the Commissioner, agreed that prioritising safety and technical standards was preferable to yielding to public pressure.
The two DA 42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft were procured at a total cost of ₦7.763 billion. They are expected to enhance security surveillance along Oyo State’s borders with Kwara State and the Republic of Benin.
Beyond security, the Executive Council approved several major projects aimed at boosting agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, industrialisation and sports development.
Council approved an interest-free intervention loan of ₦3 billion for an indigenous cassava processing factory at Ado-Awaye. The investment is expected to benefit more than 25,000 farmers, create jobs and strengthen Oyo State’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading cassava-producing states.
In another agro-industrial initiative, the government approved an additional ₦2.462 billion equity investment in Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited in Iseyin. The approval followed an earlier equity contribution of ₦850 million towards completing and revitalising the sugar processing factory.
The Council also approved the construction of the 4-kilometre Idi-Igba/Akinmorin Road in Ilora at a cost of ₦2.901 billion, citing the socio-economic benefits expected from the project.
To support the ongoing upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Council approved an additional ₦26.768 billion for revised engineering works, including the construction of a 140-metre strip, runway safety area, blast pad, extra pipe covers and other ancillary facilities.
The Executive Council also approved the implementation of a €55 million French-backed healthcare initiative, guaranteed by the Federal Government. The project will fund the construction and equipping of modular hospitals, including a Cardiac Centre, emergency and maternity centres, operating theatres and intensive care units.
The healthcare programme will also provide 39 ambulances, 10 dental centres, 200 Primary Healthcare Centres, and emergency and maternity facilities in hospitals across Igboora, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Moniya, Kishi, Iseyin, Okeho and Eruwa.
In the sports sector, Council approved an initial ₦200 million take-off grant for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) to support the club’s campaign for continental success after a 27-year wait.
The approvals underscore the Oyo State Government’s continued focus on strengthening security, expanding healthcare, accelerating infrastructure development and driving agro-industrial growth across the state.
