Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has assured residents that the ideals of good governance being experienced in the state will continue beyond the expiration of his tenure in May 2027, declaring that members of his administration’s team are well-positioned to sustain the tempo of development in different capacities.
The governor gave the assurance on Sunday during a Thanksgiving Service marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Oyo State, held at the Cathedral of St. Peter’s, Aremo, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said his administration has laid strong foundations for the state’s next phase of growth and will continue to govern in line with the will and guidance of God for the benefit of the people.
“We have a team that is still intact. It is only Seyi Makinde that will go out; members of the team are there to continue to work for the people of Oyo State. We will continue to operate in accordance with the will and the dictates of God for Oyo State,” he said.
While congratulating residents on witnessing the state’s golden jubilee, the governor described his emergence in 2019 as the eighth civilian governor of Oyo State as symbolic of a new beginning, stressing that the transformation recorded since then could only be attributed to God’s mercy.
“I am not ashamed to say that I don’t have a godfather; I only have God the Father. God has brought a particular governor at a particular time to signify a new beginning for Oyo State. My charge to you is that we should not go back to where we were coming from. Let us stay focused,” Makinde added.
Also speaking at the service, former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, commended Governor Makinde for uplifting Ibadan and for deploying public resources for the benefit of the people.
“It is always an honour to be in Ibadan, a historic town and a city of knowledge and hope. People who came with me said they could not believe how much the place has changed. I appreciate what Governor Makinde has done for the people of Oyo State,” Obi said.
He urged Nigerians to continually pray for political leaders, noting that Nigeria’s major challenge lies in poor governance rather than lack of resources.
“Nigeria is not a poor country but only poorly governed. Remember us in your prayers that God should touch our hearts to use public money for public good. That is what Seyi Makinde is doing in Oyo State,” he stated.
Earlier in his sermon titled “Gratitude,” the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, The Most Rev’d Williams Aladekugbe, thanked God for His faithfulness to Oyo State over the past 50 years and commended past leaders who contributed to its growth.
He also praised Governor Makinde for his people-oriented programmes, noting improvements in infrastructure, workers’ and pensioners’ welfare, and peaceful coexistence across the state.
Special prayers were offered for the governor, Oyo State, past leaders, Nigeria, and for the emergence of a worthy successor who would sustain good governance.
Dignitaries at the service included the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Engr. Tamunominini Makinde; Wife of the Osun State Governor, Her Excellency Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adeleke; former First Lady of Oyo State, Her Excellency Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; and Chairman, Oyo State @50 Committee, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, among others.
