The Oyo State House of Assembly has lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for giving his assent to the Financial Autonomy Bill of the State Legislature.
The Governor granted the much awaited autonomy Wednesday while signing the 2022 Appropriation Bill of the State into Law.
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin in a statement shortly after the Governor’s assent described the development as another laudable feat by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
Hon Ogundoyin said that with the signing of the bill into law, Oyo State Legislature will commence full financial autonomy from January, 2022.
” The whole Oyo State Legislature including all the 32 honorable members as well as the staff are overwhelmed with joy for the bold step taken by Governor Seyi Makinde to sign the Fund Management Bill of Oyo State House of Assembly into Law. This has granted full financial autonomy to the State Legislature, and it will help to further strengthen our democracy and ensure unhindered separation of power.”
Hon Ogundoyin noted that Oyo State has joined the number of few States that have signed the bill into law.
“We passed the Oyo State House of Assembly Funds Management Bill on July 15, 2021 and the Governor has assented to it. This is surely laudable” Oyo Speaker said.
In his own reaction, the Chairman of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN Oyo State House of Assembly, Comrade Yemi Alade appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde whom he described as a worker friendly Governor for giving his assent to the bill.
The PASAN Chairman also commended the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly Edward Adebo Ogundoyin and other Honourable members of the 9th Assembly for their efforts towards ensuring that the Legislative Financial Autonomy law comes to reality in Oyo state.
Oyo State Governor, Oluwaseyi Makinde, on Tuesday, received the draft of the Oyo State Development Plan, 2021-2040, from the Central Working Committee and Technical Group.
He stated that his administration will unveil a long-term state development plan and a medium-term development plan from 2021-2025 in the second quarter of next year.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor, while receiving the draft of the development plan 2021-2040 at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, said that the plan, which would be unveiled through an economic summit, would facilitate economic prosperity for Oyo State and serve as a guide for successive administrations.
He explained that the plan would equally help enforce commitment to promises made to the people, adding that the plan comprises economic development, human capital and social development, infrastructure development and physical planning, among others.
Governor Makinde also stressed that the development plan would keep the people abreast of the government’s visions in ensuring sustainable development in the state as well as promote participatory governance.
He said: “It was just about six months ago that we inaugurated this 27-member Oyo State Economic Steering Committee with a mandate to create the document that will serve as a roadmap for sustainable development for our dear state.
“Well, I am excited that today, we are receiving the document, the Oyo State Development Plan (Agenda 2040) and the medium-term development plan for 2021-2025.
“Well, you know politicians like making promises in every election cycle – in about two weeks’ time in 2022 – that will be the beginning of another election cycle. “What you see is either we make big promises or recycle old promises to the people but what ensures that these promises made become promises kept is having a roadmap with clearly defined milestones and deliverables.
“In fact, I can say that the economic prosperity that we are enjoying currently is because we are working with the roadmap. We already had the plan of what to prioritise, and now, we will prioritise it.
“We have seen what works and so, in keeping with tenets of our engineering a modern Oyo State, and as true pioneers of transformation, our administration embarked on creating this document so that those that are coming after us will not have to go through the same struggles that we went through.
“This development plan will, in the medium and long terms, provide reliable pointers to sustainable development. The document will be presented to the good people of Oyo State in all the geopolitical zones for their buy-in. This is because we do not think we are the most brilliant in the state or we know where the shoe pinches in all the geopolitical zones. So, we will give them the opportunity to see this document and also make their inputs.
“The document will be sent to the Executive Council for approval. We can make plans but when we don’t put timelines, it may just be a mirage. So, I will give a timeline of on/or before the third anniversary of this administration, we would launch the document.”
Governor Makinde, who stated that the development plans contained in the document were based on the four pillars of economic development; human capital and social development; infrastructure development; and physical planning and sustainable development; said it became imperative to plan for the future of the state.
“I must say that making this plan for the future is not an easy task. “For example, the Nigeria of today is different from the Nigeria of 25 years ago. In the same way, the Oyo State we have today will be different from the Oyo State that we will see in the next twenty years.
“In putting together this economic plan, a metric that changes the dynamics of the society has to be taken into consideration. But you can be confident that a good job has been done in this document,” the governor added.
He appreciated the effort of the central working committee and technical working group for their immense contributions towards the production of the Oyo State Development Plan (Agenda 2040) and medium-term development plan 2021-2025. Earlier in his remark, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Prof. Babatunde Musibau, noted that the development plan will be the first of its kind in the history of Oyo State.
He hinted that the plan is all about the identification of a more holistic solution to development problems, explaining that the development plan contained four pillars and 25 thematic areas in line with the global development agenda.
He also noted that the document has a specific time benchmark with clear vision and smart goals.
The National Council of Federation of Oyo State Students Union has lauded the Executive Governor of Oyo State over the pledge to pay bursary for Oyo indigene students. It should be recalled that bursary, which is the major dividends of govanance enjoyed by students constituency, has been long overdue.
The Governor expressed his readiness to disburse bursary and scholarship to indigene students at the official turning of sod of Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin Campus. While reacting to students with banners appealing to the gorvernor to cushion thier academic effect through the disbursement of bursary, the governor reiterated his commitment to the payment.
We have heard the governor pledge with great admiration of the sound reasoning therein and we are convinced beyond all reasonable doubts that the pledge is born out of pure love for education and Students welfare who are not only the future of the state but also partners in transformational and developmental agenda of the state.
Conclusively, the National President on behalf of the students populace expresses profound appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to our governor for the continual support and responsiveness to Students plight and urge the concerned stakeholders to fast track the disbursement processes.
One wouldn’t argue the excellent talent and potential disovery abilities of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, especially in appointing capable hands to man most important agencies and ministries of the government of Oyo State. One of such is the appointment(s)of Mr. Abiodun Oni, a trained geologist who until his first political appointment was a successful Director of an Oil and Gas company. The Igbeti-born geologist brought to limelight, the Oyo State Mineral Development Agency where he served as Executive Chairman in the first two years of Engr Seyi Makinde with a stellar performance. No one would have believed such agency existed or that the state is still blessed with such enormous Natural Resources and the potentials therein, which swiftly attracted the unusual presence and patronage of the present Federal Government’s Ministry of Mines and Steel and both local and foreign expatriates. I see him as a man of more action than rhetorics.
Since the assumption of office of new and “returned” Cabinet Members in the state, one of the most important and highly impacted areas is the reinvigorated and rejigged Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, headed by the Okunrin jeje (Gentleman) Abiodun Oni. Prior to his assumption of office, the State, had degenerated into a total mess and a shadow of the legacies laid by the Late Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola of blessed memory, who during his brief but impactful time in office converted some artificial dump sites, like Alakia Interchange and other spots, known for indiscriminate dropping of dungs and heaps of refuse to a cynosure of all eyes.
Major roads across the state were filled with debris, residents with active subscription to private refuse collectors became unattended to, and left to live a unhealthy lifestyle with polluted environment. There were complaints of poor evacuation, disposal and dumping at refuse sites, while some “media houses” capitalised on that to discredit the incumbent government, not minding the fact that the onus rested on the private contractors who were at loggerheads with the government based on personal interest and cared not what happens to the health, wealth and status of the state.
Being a distant admirer, I melted the very first day I saw him interacting and giving orientation to roadside traders and market men and women at New Gbagi market just two days after assumption of office. On this fateful day, Hon. Commissioner led environmental officers and trucks in evacuating stocks of refuse on road median and illegal garbage dump points in a cleanup drive with full commitment and humility. A man of such calibre meeting with representatives of each market, applying diplomacy instead of the “Obis” draconian approach we used to know, in his quest to protect and provide a healthy living environment for everyone and also enhance the aesthetically pleasing environment to attract tourists and investors with a scintillating view and fresh air for residents of the state.
This is quite laudable and we hope that we abide by environmental laws to maintain the best refuse disposal methods and have a cleaner and healthier environment under the Gentleman Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources; Mr Abiodun Oni and His Excellency Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde.
…as Governor receives South-West Zonal Conference of DSS
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, said on Friday that his administration will continue to support security agencies operating in the state to deliver on their mandates.
Makinde, who stated this at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, while receiving State Directors of the Department of State Services in the South West States, who were in the state to hold the South West Zonal Conference of Directors of State Services, said that security is key to the successful implementation of government policies.
The governor praised the team, led by its Chairman, Sheikh Mohammed Waziri, for helping to tackle insecurity in all the nooks and crannies of the country.
He said: “We welcome you to Ibadan and I am glad that the conference went very well. You were able to interact and identify some of the security challenges within the geopolitical zone.
“I am also happy that from your interaction, you have been able to come up with the fact that drug abuse and children in primary school becoming cultists is common. Yes, we can go after them just like you have suggested. We can win the war with brute force but can we win peace with the same force? For us, we think striking at the heart of what is causing all of these is Germaine. And if you trace it, it is economical. So, it is difficult to bring people to live peacefully together.
“When you have a situation where the resources are limited and we are all scrambling for it and we are not baking enough cake to go round, then there will always be serious issues where people will look for where they can gain a little bit of an advantage over the other people. So, I will ask that in your recommendations and course of action, let us also look at how we can win the peace.
“And on this issue, I give you the assurance that when we have the South West Governors meeting, I will bring it up so that we can have a common regional approach to dealing with the challenges.
“Also, I am glad that you mentioned cooperation between yourselves, the government and among the other security agencies. Yes, it is normal to have inter-agency rivalry but what has worked for us is how we worked together as a team here. “Even the state-owned security network, Amotekun, was pulled in and they work together. “So, we want to focus a bit more on cooperation between other agencies operating within the geo-political zone.
“For us as an administration, we know that the essence of power and all of these things that we are surrounded with is to ensure that people are able to live their dreams and go about their daily businesses in a safe and secure atmosphere.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank you very much because we know that while we are sleeping and enjoying ourselves, you are on the edge and all over the place trying to ensure we sleep with our two eyes closed. “Thank you for all the hard work you are putting in to ensure that we can sleep. We are indeed very grateful. The least we can do is to give you support and we will continue to support you.”
The governor also charged the DSS to ensure it emphasizes issues that will unite Nigeria, adding that the country has never been this divided.
He said: “I will say that the country is passing through a unique and difficult period. We are faced with an economic issue and the issue of unifying this country. We have never been divided like this before. We are getting to a situation where the people of Osun would say they are not part of Oyo State but we used to be one state.
‘’So, we all now have a very serious role to play to ensure that we unify our people and contribute our quota to the unity of the country. It is a huge task before us at this period. I will ask that you also look at that issue.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the South West Zonal Conference of State Directors of State Service, Sheik Mohammed Waziri, said that the DSS understands the importance of security in a polity, adding that without security there would not be development. He said: “Yesterday (Thursday) and today, we have discussed the issue of security challenges extensively in the zone in the area of crime and criminalities. We are concerned just like Your Excellency is also concerned about the increasing threat to local and national security in terms of kidnappings, cultism and famers/herders clashes.
“We are also concerned that this is also a period that all hands must be on deck to ensure that we resolve some of those issues and, as an intelligence-based organisation, it is our responsibility to identify the threats, share the concerns, and identify the criminals and miscreants within both governed and ungoverned spaces.
“Concerning the issue of cultism at the local level, we are looking at how we can reach out to stakeholders at the state and local levels to see how we can manage the perception of individuals. We want to also see how we can prosecute those that are recalcitrant in terms of addressing some of these issues.
“It is our hope that the governor will give us all the support that is necessary to fulfil our mandate.”
Chairman Governing Council Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Professor Deji Omole on Sunday stated that Governor Seyi Makinde led government is set to pay Osun State Government another 1billion naira on or before first week of December to make a total of two Billion Naira out of the 8billion contained in the asset sharing agreement.
Professor Omole also stated that Governor Seyi Makinde has also released the sum of 500million naira to LAUTECH as grant for the smooth take-off of the college of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin Campus of the University.
In a one year anniversary pronouncement of the sole ownership of LAUTECH and Six months of the inauguration the Governing Council of the Institution, Professor Omole stated that Governor Makinde has paid five out of eight months salaries owed workers of the institution before taking over the sole ownership of the institution envisaging that the balance would be cleared in the next six months.
“Oyo state had already paid one billion naira to Osun State and airmarked another one billion to be paid on or before the first week of December, 2021. Oyo State has liquidated five out of the eight months salary arrears being owned workers of the University. In addition the Oyo State government had released the sum.of 500million naira to the institution has take off grant for the smooth running of the school. Indeed the capital expenditure for infrastructure development of the school has been budgeted for in the 2022 appropriation Bill. This is happening for the first time in the history of the institution.”
Furthermore, Omole added that the 25%percent reduction in fees for students in the school as announced by Governor Seyi Makinde will take effect from the 2022 session urging students to reciprocate the gesture by staying focused as shunning anti-social behaviours.
Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, mourned the passage of the Onigbeti of Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of the State, Oba Emmanuel Oyebisi, Afasegbejo III, stating that his death has left a vacuum in the state.
According to a statement signed by Moses Alao, Special Assistant (Print Media) to Governor Makinde, it reads “I condole with the entire Igbeti Community of Olorunsogo Local Government Area of the State on the demise of the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Emmanuel Oyekan Oyebisi. “I equally commiserate with the Oyo State Traditional Council and friends, families and well-wishers of the late royal father. “I have had many encounters with the late Oba Oyebisi, beginning from the pre-2015 general election days while seeking the governorship seat.
“The late Kabiyesi was a great leader and a peace-loving ruler. His love for the development of Igbeti and Oyo State in general is unprecedented and he never missed an opportunity to make this clear. “Surely, Oba Oyebisi’s death has left a huge vacuum in Olorunsogo Local Government and among the traditional council in the state. “It is my prayer that God grants repose to his soul and uphold the community and the family he left behind.”
Engr. Seyi Makinde while speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria Branch on Tuesday says that he has always been an advocate of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
“Because of my background in business, I have always been a great fan of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). In a country like ours, where legal battles are often long and drawn out, business people are interested in settling issues out of court”. “The ADR is a tidier way to resolve matters. It is in the best interest of all concerned to find alternative yet legal ways of speeding up the process of dispute resolution. So, I can happily identify with the theme of this event, “Future Perfect: Securing Africa’s Ascent On The Global ADR Stage.” The Governor further commended the Chairman of the Institute for his choice of Ibadan as the place of the Conference, and assured them that his administration will facilitate more collaboration with the Institute. “Let me commend the organisers of this event, especially Chief J. Akingbola Akinola, C.Arb, Chairman, Chartered Institute Of Arbitrators Nigeria Branch, for bringing this event to Ibadan. We are always happy to welcome visitors here. We hope you enjoy your stay with us and take advantage of this conference to see a little more of our city” “I read your welcome address, and I am assured that this will indeed be a rich conference. The lineup of panels, sessions and conversations show that Nigeria is indeed ready to take its rightful place in the international Alternative Dispute Resolution stage. Of course, there is a continuous need to inject new thoughts and improve the process of dispute resolution such as arbitration and mediation here” I look forward to a time where people will think of arbitration first before heading to the courts. We already know that our judicial system is overburdened. The innovative use of the ADR process can reduce the stress on our courts. So that, it is primarily criminal cases that they will adjudicate. “So, I am pleased to read about the collaborative efforts between the judiciary and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. If there is anything our administration can do to make this collaboration more effective in Oyo State, we will be happy to help.”
The Governor further charges the Institute to offer local solution to issues affecting the patronage, especially as regards the cost and other matters surrounding ADR.
“So let me use this opportunity to challenge the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators to think about issues that affect us here at home. You will agree with me that there are definitely gaps in the dispute resolution process that need to be filled. These issues include the high cost of alternative dispute resolution processes as well as the fact that cases dealt with through ADR may still end up in court. It is time to develop home-grown solutions to these problems. And I am confident with the calibre of people in this room that you will be able to get this done”
The Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Taofeek Arapaja on Sunday morning was declared the the Deputy National Chairman Elect (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Arapaja who was the candidate of the of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, garnered 2,004 votes to defeat his only opponent, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a Former Governor of Osun State, who polled 705 votes.
A total of 165 votes were declared invalid.
The result of the election was announced by the electoral officers at 3:32 am after about two hours of sorting and counting.
…Enugu gov, other officials oversee congress, as Ogungbenro emerges chairman
Oyo State Governor and Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, declared that with the way his party was able to organise itself and unite for the State Congress, it has the capacity to unite Nigeria. The governor, who stated this at the congress held at the Open Court of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, said if given the opportunity to govern the country in 2023, the PDP will end the divisive tendencies in the country and place it on the path of unity and oneness. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor equally called on all members of the party to rally round the new state executives to better reposition the party. At the congress where Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro was elected as State Chairman, with Hon. Wasiu Adeleke returned as State Secretary, among other positions, Governor Makinde maintained that the party remains open to accommodating everyone aggrieved. He said: “Today is very symbolic. I congratulate the executives that we have just elected today. “It is historical because this is the first time that we are coming for an elective Congress and the situation is carnival-like. Now, I am sensing the same thing for our National Convention. They should watch out, PDP will unite Nigeria. “Today, we don’t have much to say. The only thing I will say is that those who said they are aggrieved can see what has happened here today. “PDP belongs to all of us. They must come back and get integrated into the fold and we will accommodate them.” Earlier, the Chairman of the Oyo State PDP Congress Committee and Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, commended Makinde for his sterling leadership, which, according to him, has ensured the sustainability of the PDP in the state. “I salute the sterling leadership of my brother and friend in Oyo State, Governor Makinde, who has engendered the manifestaton of parity in one fellowship and sustainability of PDP in the state. “I respectfully acknowledge all the executive leaders of the party here. Your contributions and sacrifices are highly appreciated. I also appreciate the support and solidarity of our teeming supporters. “My team and I are in Oyo State at the behest of the National Working Committee of our party to conduct the party Congress. And I am assuring you of a very transparent, free and fair process,” Ugwuanyi said. The new Oyo State PDP Chairman, Ogungbenro, in his speech, also lauded Governor Makinde, stating that the new State Working Committee would work hard to make the party the darling of the entire state.
