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Tag: Gov. Makinde

  • Gov Makinde gives condition to reverse Ibadan Polytechnic renaming

    Gov Makinde gives condition to reverse Ibadan Polytechnic renaming

    Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State governor, has expressed a willingness to reconsider renaming The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic if compelling arguments are presented

    TheNewsGuru reports that the name change had sparked an outrage, sparking protest from alumni and students, who raised concerns about the institution’s welfare and development.

    However, the governor, during the official inauguration of the governing boards for five state-owned tertiary institutions at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office yesterday, acknowledged the emotional ties to the original name and emphasised that policy decisions should be based on merit rather than sentiment.

    He urged stakeholders to use appropriate channels for voicing grievances and cautioned against disruptive protests.

    “When you disturb others from going about their lawful activities, you need to realise that your freedom stops where theirs begins,” he stated.

    Addressing the financial pressure facing the tertiary, Makinde cited increased wage obligations and limited resources.
    He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining high educational standards and ensuring graduates can compete globally.

  • Makinde throws heavy weight behind Fubara, opposes emergency declaration in Rivers

    Makinde throws heavy weight behind Fubara, opposes emergency declaration in Rivers

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has disapproved of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

    Makinde, in his biweekly newsletter, ‘The Business of Governance’, published on Thursday evening, described the president’s act as illegal.

    President Tinubu had on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Gov. Similayi Fubara.

    The governor’s deputy, Ngozi Odu and the House of Assembly were suspended alongside Fubara for six months.

    Subsequently, the president appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas as the sole administrator of the state.

    According to Makinde, all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government.

    “This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity and justice.

    “Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties.

    “As our democracy grows and unfolds, we must also be willing to speak up when we see anything that threatens our development as a nation.

    “We must choose to stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone,” Makinde said.

    The governor, however, commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for demonstrating the needed strength and leadership through its stand on the matter.

    According to him, the PDP Governors’ Forum has unanimously decided to challenge the president’s actions in a court of competent jurisdiction.

  • We’ll not allow APC rig Ondo guber election – Gov Makinde vows

    We’ll not allow APC rig Ondo guber election – Gov Makinde vows

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has vowed that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would do everything within its power to fix the Party and Nigeria, while assuring that the Party would prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) rigging the forth-coming gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

    Governor Makinde said this, on Thursday, in Abuja, at the inauguration of the Board of Governors and the unveiling of the Roadmap for Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI).

    PDI is the research arm of PDP established in 2,000 to promote a new democratic culture in Nigeria and Africa through the provision of value-added education, training, capacity building, research, and documentation programmes.

    Governor Makinde said that PDP could fix Nigeria, adding that “we will fix PDP and then PDP will fix Nigeria, which will be the basis of real hope for the people of Nigeria.

    “As we approach 2027, it is clear that the PDP has to provide real hope for Nigeria. By revitalising the PDI that real hope is being provided for our people.

    “Our country needs direction. Nigerians are looking up to the PDP to provide an ideological foundation,” he said.
    The governor said that with the inauguration of the board, PDP was moving a step closer to defining the ideology it stood for.
    He advised politicians and leaders who were given opportunity to serve to always ask themselves what they want to be remembered for.

    The governor also pledged his commitment to strengthening of the country’s democracy and PDP.

    He continued, “From 2019, I’ve been benefitting from PDP. So, I want to say thank you to our great party, and all the stakeholders gathered here today, for giving me the opportunity to get not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella.

    “The only thing I can promise you, is that, since I fetched water from that well, and I have been drinking since 1999, I will not pollute the well when it is time for me to exit that office,” he said.

    Governor Makinde also urged PDP leaders, members and stakeholders to go into the November 16 Ondo governorship election united and resist any attempt to truncate the election.

    He said that the PDP needed true reconciliation and unity to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo. “Our great party, the PDP, will not allow the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the election. Our chances are bright”.

    In his remarks, former Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, emphasised the need to jointly build the PDP, saying parties were built on ideas, philosophies and policies.

    He urged PDP members to move away from building ideas on self or on ambition, as Nigeria move towards 2027.

    “We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts from. This is the foundation that is important.

    “Let us desist from talking about who is running for councillors, or who is running for governor, or who is running for president in 2027.

    “Let us talk about what is PDP. What does PDP represent? These are the issues and policies that we must take into account,” Saraki said.

    In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of PDI Board of Governors, Taofeek Arapaja, pledged the governing board members’ commitment to the mission, and vision of PDI, and to the guiding principles of the PDP.

    Arapaja, who is the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), commended the party leadership and Makinde’s efforts at revamping PDI, said that the board would advance the principles of PDI to enrich Nigeria’s democracy.

    “As we embark on this journey, we pledge that we will live with innovations, transparency and inclusivity.

    “We are passionate about equipping the next generation of leaders and ensuring that the PDI becomes a true engine of progressive thoughts, skills, building and intellectual discourse within our party and beyond.

    “We envision a PDI that is not just a research institute, but a vibrant, inclusive hub for the youths, women and all party members,” Arapaja said.

    The Director General of PDI, Dr Edward Adie, acknowledging the support of Makinde for revamping of the institute, seek support from all in terms of funding, personnel among others.

    He said that research institute such as PDI was critical for party electoral success, funding substance of power and needed training for political leaders.

  • Iseese Day: Governor Makinde declares August 20 work free day

    Iseese Day: Governor Makinde declares August 20 work free day

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared August 20 a work-free day to mark 2024 Isese Day.

     

    The governor’s Special Adviser (Media), Sulaimon Olanrewaju, announced on Wednesday that the declaration was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo. Makinde had stated last year that August 20 would be observed as a work-free day in the state in commemoration of Isese Day.

     

    In the circular, the governor encouraged all traditional worshippers and citizens to use the day to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the state and the country as a whole.

  • 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin to be installed July 12 in Ibadan

    43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin to be installed July 12 in Ibadan

    Seyi Makinde the Governor of Oyo State,  has given his nod for the coronation and presentation of the Staff of Office to Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    The ceremony is scheduled  for July 12, 2024 in Ibadan the Oyo state capital.

    Dotun Oyelade  State Commissioner for Information made known in a statement made available to pressmen.

    The Commissioner noted that “our people must learn to be patient and believe in an administration that has not let them down in 5 years.”

    The statement read, “The insinuations and mischievous innuendos have not derailed Governor Seyi Makinde from the path of justice and fairness.”

    He advised the people of Oyo State and Ibadan in particular to await the spectacle of the Coronation and presentation of the staff of office on July 12.

  • Olubadan Stool: Those sowing discord should desist from doing so – Gov. Makinde

    Olubadan Stool: Those sowing discord should desist from doing so – Gov. Makinde

    Seyi Makinde the Govenor of Oyo state has explained that there is no conflict surrounding the Olubadan stool.

    The Governor asked those sowing discord over the stool to desist from doing so in the interest of the state.

    Makinde who spoke while welcoming Muslim faithful, including members of his cabinet and other high-ranking government officials, to his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan, the state capital.

    However, the governor said he was yet to receive any official communication from the Olubadan-in-Council on nomination for the stool.

    He wondered why some people were focusing on things that divide the state along traditional lines, saying there’s no place for that under his watch.

    Kingmakers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, had fixed Thursday, 11th April as the date for the official ratification and announcement of the current Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    The kingmakers made this decision at a meeting held on Monday at the Iwo Road residence of a former President of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bode Amao.

     

  • Lautech students drag Governor Makinde to court for relocating Agric faculty to Iseyin

    Lautech students drag Governor Makinde to court for relocating Agric faculty to Iseyin

    Parents and students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso have sued Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to court over relocating the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in the institution to Iseyin.

    Recall that Makinde relocated the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in the institution to Iseyin in the Oke Ogun geo-political zone.

    Part two students of the institution had been ordered to move to Iseyin for the second semester of the ongoing academic session.

    The suit marked HOG/34/2023 filed at an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso has Akintayo Abdulqoyuum Ajibola, Onwi Bassey Edet, Ezekiel Gbadegesin Ogunmola and Prince Aderemi Olude as plaintiffs.

    Other defendants listed in the suit are the education commissioner, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, and the Provost of the Iseyin campus.

    The claimants are seeking an order of the court restraining the governor and his agents from going ahead with the planned relocation.

    They  are seeking three reliefs, including “an order of the court directing the Respondents whether by themselves, their agents, servants or anybody under their authority to return all the already established courses moved from Faculty of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources of the main campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso to Iseyin Campus back to the main campus forthwith.”

    Also, they are praying the court for an order “directing the Respondents whether by themselves, their agents, servants or anybody under their authority to recall back the movement of all 200 level students as directed in the letter dated 19th October, 2023 signed by the Registrar of the 3 Defendant/Respondent on the authority of the 4 Defendant/Respondent from Iseyin Campus back to the main campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.”

    They want “an order of injunction restraining the respondents, their agents, servants or anybody under their authority from moving all the already established courses from the Faculty of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources of the main campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso to Iseyin campus or any other campuses outside the main campus.”

    However,  no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit as of the time of filing this report on Sunday.

  • Yoruba Obas Forum demands public apology from Obasanjo

    Yoruba Obas Forum demands public apology from Obasanjo

    The Yoruba Obas Forum comprising of royal fathers from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, and Kogi States have condemned ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo over the manner he addressed monarchs present at a project inauguration in Iseyin, Oyo State last Friday, demanding a public apology from him.

    Recall that Obasanjo, at an event, had reproached the monarchs because they did not stand to welcome the governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, saying the action of the royal fathers was disrespectful to the office of the governor.

    Unimpressed with the treatment of Makinde by the monarchs, Obasanjo demanded they rise from their seats, an order they all obliged. The action of the ex-president however received severe backlash, but while explaining why he ordered the monarchs to stand up, Obasanjo in a statement, said the governor, who is the one recognised by the constitution as the highest in ranking at the state level, deserves respect from the monarchs.

    However, the Yoruba Obas Forum, in a statement signed by its President, the Molokun of Atijere in Ondo State, Oba Samuel Adeoye, and the General Secretary, who is also the Olukotun of Ikotun-Ile in Kwara State, Oba. Abdulrasaq Abioye, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, said Obasanjo’s outburst was an affront and an intentional desecration of revered traditional stools in Yorubaland.

    The statement further said in part, “On behalf of the entire Yoruba Obas, we are using this medium to call upon the former President of Nigeria (Obasanjo) to immediately apologise to monarchs from Oke-Ogun zone for his undeserved remarks over his claim that they failed to stand up when the governor (Makinde) and himself climbed the podium at the inauguration of LAUTECH’s College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin.

    “The Forum also noted that even if the Obas at the occasion acted in breach of The Act of Precedence of 1999, Obasanjo should have noted it in his speech rather than scolding them like pupils or military recruits.

    “We think respect should be earned, not demanded. An injury to one is an injury to all. Yoruba traditional institution is not like a military setup that anyone can command at will.

    “We condemn this act by Obasanjo and we call for his public apology to all the disgraced Obas and the entire Yoruba people by extension without further delay.”

     

  • Oyo PDP: Party leaders berate Governor Makinde for openly disapproving Atiku

    Oyo PDP: Party leaders berate Governor Makinde for openly disapproving Atiku

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has been berated by some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state following his declaration not to support the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    The PDP leaders expressed displeasure at the governor’s position not to support the party’s presidential candidate in the state.

    The leaders spoke in Ibadan on Wednesday at the emergency meeting of the leaders of the party from the 33 local government areas of the state.

    They declared their support for Atiku, who Makinde and four other PDP governors are working against.

     Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development,  Dr Wole Oyelese, noted that the governor spoke for himself and not the Oyo PDP.

    He said ”Makinde was not speaking for the party in the state but speaking for himself”

    He added that  PDP leaders would work and deliver the state for the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in 2023 presidential polls in the country.

    TheNewsguru.com reports that Makinde  during the weekend on a live radio programme  (Fresh FM) posited that he and other aggrieved PDP governors would not work for the presidential candidate of the party for some reasons.

    Makinde bragged that the people of the state will vote for the PDP at the state level but cannot guarantee at the presidency level.

    The Oyo governor recalled how the people voted for him massively  at the governorship election in 2019 but voted the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the National Assembly level.

    Makinde, Wike and three other aggrieved PDP governors have exempted themselves from  Atiku’s camp.

    The five governors have not hidden their position and they had vowed not to work for Atiku except for the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu resigned from office for a southerner to occupy the office.

  • Amendment bill on agency for PWDs ready for Gov Makinde’s assent – Aide

    Amendment bill on agency for PWDs ready for Gov Makinde’s assent – Aide

    An executive amendment bill that will establish the Agency for Persons with Disability (PWDs), recently passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly, is ready for Gov Seyi Makinde’s assent within the year.

    Executive Assistant to the Governor on Persons with Disability, Mr Ayodele Adekanmbi, made this known while addressing a Coalition of Like-minded People with Disabilities in Ibadan.

    Newsmen reported that the executive bill was passed by the state lawmakers on Oct. 20.

    The agency, when finally established, would be under the supervision of the governor.

    According to Adekanmbi, the disabled were at the governor’s office to appreciate him on the passage of the bill that would establish the agency for Persons with Disability.

    “They were here, also to assure his Excellency that all their votes would be given to him and his party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming general election.”

    He said no administration in the state had placed priority on the welfare, education and political appointment of People with Disabilities like the administration of Gov. Makinde.

    In his remarks, the governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Ademola Ojo, said the bill would soon be signed into law by the governor to enhance treatment of disabled people in the state.

    Ojo, who represented the governor during the visit, said issues concerning people with disability would continue to be one of the topmost priorities of the Seyi Makinde’s government.

    He implored the people with disabilities in the state to vote PDP candidates during the next general elections, “for the good work to continue”.

    Earlier, the leader of the coalition of Persons with Disabilities, Mr Chulks Abe, appreciated the governor for counting some of his members worthy to be in his government.

    Abe said that the present administration in the state had been prioritising the welfare of his members.

    According to him, Makinde’s government appointed many of his aides from people with disabilities, such as the Executive Assistant on Disability; Special Assistant on Special People and many others as supervisors across the 33 local government councils .

    He assured that all their members would support Makinde in his bid for second term by voting en-mass for him and other PDP candidates in the forthcoming general elections.