“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.”
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has lauded Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde for the uplift of Ibadan and Oyo State for using public funds for public good.
This was as Governor Makinde said, while his tenure will end in May 2027, members of his team with whom he has delivered good governance, were poised to continue the good works of the state in different capacities.
The duo spoke during a Thanksgiving Service in commemoration of the Oyo State 50th anniversary, held at the Cathedral of St Peter’s, Aremo, Ibadan, on Sunday.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, lauded the leadership style of Governor Makinde and his transformation agenda for the state.
Obi said: “It is always an honour to be in Ibadan. I was here on Tuesday to visit the university. I was telling somebody that this is a historic town where all of us, as Nigerians, come because it is a city of knowledge and a city of hope.
“The people who came with me said you don’t know how this place has changed and I appreciate the preacher on what he said about how the state has developed under Governor ‘Seyi Makinde.
“I thank Governor Makinde for faithfully serving the people. As you celebrate this 50th anniversary, I pray that the next 50 years of the great state will be exemplary. May God continue to bless our governor and all the members of his team.
“I was here at the onset of his government. I was one of those that were brought in to talk to his commissioners and I thank him for his exceptional work.
“As I conclude, I want to make a request to Nigerians to, please, always remember us politicians in prayers. We are the problem of Nigeria. No other person. 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.”
Speaking, Governor Makinde noted that his administration will continue to govern the state in accordance with the will and guidance of God for the people of the state.
The governor added that his government has built strong foundations for the state as it enters its next phase.
Makinde, who had earlier read the Second Bible Lesson from Matthew 5:1-12, congratulated residents of Oyo State on witnessing the celebration of the state’s golden jubilee, which he noted was due to God’s grace.
He emphasised that his emergence as governor of the state in 2019, after contesting for eight years, could only be attributed to God’s mercy, which enabled the state to experience a new beginning.
Makinde assured the people of the state of continuity of good governance after the expiration of his tenure, stressing that his team was still intact and will carry on the good works.
He said: “I want to congratulate all of us for witnessing Oyo State at 50 and I pray that we shall witness many more years on earth.
“When I became the governor of Oyo State in 2019, I was the 8th civilian or Executive Governor of Oyo State and the significance of eight in the Bible depicts a new beginning. So, the journey has been a new beginning for Oyo State.
“I didn’t plan it. I tell people that I am not ashamed to say that I don’t have a godfather, I only have God the father.
“Some of the people are upset, they said I came to them to ask for support to be elected. Yes, you go somewhere to seek support. Does that make the person your godfather?
“So, God has been so merciful to us, and we will continue to operate in accordance with the will and the dictates of God for us.
“God has brought a particular governor at a particular time to signify a new beginning for Oyo State.
“My charge to you as we celebrate this 50th anniversary of Oyo State is that we should not go back to where we were coming from. Let us stay focused.
“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.”
Earlier in his sermon entitled: “Gratitude,” Archbishop of Ibadan Province, The Most Rev’d Williams Aladekugbe, said God has been good to Oyo State.
The cleric also hailed past leaders who contributed meaningfully to the growth of the state in the last 50 years.
Most Rev’d Aladekugbe congratulated Makinde for his people-oriented programme, which he said, has shaped the state and brought about infrastructure development, improved workers and pensioners’ welfare and peaceful coexistence, among others.
Special prayers were offered for Governor Makinde, Oyo State, past leaders/governors of the state, and Nigeria as well as for the continuity of good governance through a good successor to Governor Makinde.
The event had in attendance the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde; Wife of the Osun State Governor, Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adeleke; former First Lady of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima;
Secretary to the State Government, Professor 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 at 50 Committee, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi.
Others included a member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Fola Oyekunle; former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa; state commissioners;
Chief and Mrs Bode Amoo; Chief (Mrs) Elizabeth Akinyele; local government chairmen in the state, traditional rulers, religious leaders; and top government functionaries, among others.
