Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has declared that his administration has successfully established enduring institutions designed to promote the state’s socio-economic development and ensure lasting good governance.
Governor Makinde, represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal, Esq., made this known during the maiden Stakeholders Engagement on Safety on Our Roads & Security in Our Neighbourhoods organized by the Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED) in Ibadan on Wednesday.
Speaking on the theme “Security at Home, Safety on Our Roads”, the governor emphasized that his government’s focus on creating strong institutions such as OYMASED, the Oyo State Project Monitoring Agency, and the Rule of Law Enforcement Agency underscores his commitment to sustainable development.
“Our legacy will be the institutions we create to ensure that Oyo State continues to enjoy good governance well into the future,” he stated.
Makinde charged OYMASED to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to maintain clean and safe public spaces, particularly road medians. He also highlighted the importance of the Rule of Law Enforcement Authority in addressing traffic management challenges in both urban and rural areas.
According to him, “The Rule of Law Enforcement Authority is tasked with resolving traffic control issues, and we have also improved junctions across key areas of the state.”
Zero Tolerance for Land Grabbing
Governor Makinde commended the efforts of the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbing Agency, led by Hon. Justice Aiki (rtd), reiterating his administration’s zero tolerance for illegal land acquisition. He warned against forceful entry, illegal occupation, and fraudulent land dealings, noting that the agency would work with other stakeholders to curb the menace of land grabbing in the state.
He added, “The strong institutions we have established will drive development and protect the future of Oyo State.”
Makinde also listed his administration’s achievements, including significant investments in road infrastructure, health care, education, and prompt payment of civil servants’ salaries for nearly six years. However, he stressed that infrastructural development must be complemented by value reorientation to sustain progress.
“If our core values are not reawakened, all these infrastructural developments will disappear within a short time. That is why we are prioritizing value reorientation to restore the Omoluabi ethos that once defined Oyo as a pacesetter state.”
Earlier, the Director-General of OYMASED, Dr. Morohunkola Thomas, expressed excitement about the engagement, noting that the agency is partnering with other government bodies to correct societal anomalies.
According to him, OYMASED’s initiatives aim to revive core values such as respect for elders, hard work, honesty, and integrity, which have diminished over time.
“We grew up in an era when proper home training, moral guidance, and cultural values shaped us into responsible citizens. This programme marks the beginning of efforts to restore those values,” he said.
He called on stakeholders to support the agency’s mission, adding that the administration is keen on leaving behind legacies beyond infrastructure by rebuilding societal values.
Stakeholders Laud Makinde’s Initiatives
Dr. Olukemi Afolayan, State Director of the National Orientation Agency, commended Governor Makinde for establishing OYMASED, emphasizing the urgent need for societal value reorientation.
In her words, “The task of value reorientation requires the involvement of all stakeholders. The creation of OYMASED shows that we have a government committed to rebuilding societal norms.”
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, Justice Aderonke Aderemi, described the stakeholders’ engagement as critical to advancing Makinde’s vision of a society where cultural values are upheld.
The event was attended by top government officials, security agency heads, students, and members of the public.
