Governor of Oyo State, ’Seyi Makinde, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to further strengthening the state’s security architecture to ensure that every part of Oyo remains safe and secure.
The governor gave the assurance on Thursday during the grand finale and wreath-laying ceremony of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Makinde commended officers and men of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for sustaining relative peace and harmony in the state, despite prevailing security challenges across the country. He urged them not to relent in their efforts, assuring them of the continued support of his administration.
According to the governor, his government remains committed to the protection of lives and property and will continue to invest in measures that enhance security across Oyo State.
He also disclosed that plans were underway to establish a welfare scheme for the families of five forest guards recently killed at the Oloka Village axis of the old Oyo National Park in Oriire Local Government Area, stressing that the government would ensure the affected families are adequately supported.
Makinde further assured that the state would continue to remember and support maimed soldiers, widows, orphans and dependants of fallen heroes, noting that they paid the ultimate price for the safety and unity of the nation.
“This is a challenging time for us as a nation, with different security issues confronting us,” the governor said. “We have asked our Armed Forces to do a lot with limited resources, and they have continued to do their best. As a government, we will keep giving them the necessary support so that their postings will not be a hardship.”
He added that the government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that every inch of land in Oyo State is kept safe and secure.
Also speaking at the event, the Interim Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Command, Chief Julius Alabi, lauded both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government for improvements in the welfare of legion members and for other forms of support extended to them.
The ceremony featured the laying of wreaths at the remembrance cenotaph by Governor Makinde; the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mohammed Fadeyi; the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Sen.) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
Others who laid wreaths included the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General C.R. Nnebeife; Chief Julius Alabi; Commander, 2 Division Garrison, Brigadier-General A.S. Bugaje; Commander, 655 Nigerian Air Force Station, Ibadan, Air Commodore D.U. Njoku; Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr. Femi Haruna; and a representative of widows of fallen heroes, Mrs. Taibatu Bello.
Highlights of the event included a 21-gun salute, special prayers for the repose of the fallen heroes, the release of ceremonial pigeons by the governor, and inspection of the parade guards.
Dignitaries at the event included Deputy Governor Barr. ‘Bayo Lawal, former Deputy Governor Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi, former Speaker Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, 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, Commissioner for Women and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, among other top government officials.
Legionnaires, widows of fallen heroes and their children were also in attendance.
