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Tag: Seyi Makinde

  • Makinde’s N8bn road expansion project misplaced priority – APC

    Makinde’s N8bn road expansion project misplaced priority – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has raised the alarm over plans by the Gov. Seyi Makinde-led administration to spend N8 billion naira on a proposed reconstruction of the popular Iwo Road interchange in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The APC in a statement issued by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr Ayobami Adejumo, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Ibadan, described the planned reconstruction as a misplaced priority and an attempt to squander government resources.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the governor had, on Friday, announced plans to embark on the project which, he said, would be completed within a year to decongest the area and give it a facelift.

    Makinde had, at Adogba Central Mosque where he joined the congregation for the weekly Jumat service, cleared the air on the project, assuring that compensation would be paid for the facilities expected to be demolished for the expansion.

    However, the APC, in the statement, said that the present administration was popular for building its castles in the air, in demonstration of its gross incompetence and avowed desire for mismanaging public funds.

    “The good people of the state were taken aback by the action of Gov. Makinde last Friday when he chose a mosque as the place to announce the plan to do a multi-billion project.

    “Without any record of presentation at the state executive council meeting or consideration and approval by the appropriate organs of government as required by law, the governor reeled out a contract sum for another white elephant project,” it said.

    The party wondered how the cost of N8 billion was arrived at, even when no picture of the proposed picture had been shown to the world.

    “What is the scope of the project and where are the engineering designs that culminated in the contract sum? Was there any due diligence before the cost was arrived at? When did the consultants carry out the survey of the proposed site?

    “Where is the bill of quantity? When did the relevant office advertise for tender?

    “Why the desperation on the part of Gov. Makinde to commit such a huge amount of money to any construction work in an area that would be covered by two different projects already awarded by the federal government?,” it queried.

    According to the party, there are strong indications that the ongoing reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway would take care of the expansion of the interchange.

    It also said that the recently-awarded rehabilitation of the Ibadan-Ife expressway would cover the remaining portion of the axis.

    “As it has become the usual practice of the Makinde-led administration to put the cart before the horse, the people of the state cannot just watch while a government without any blueprint or action plan will continue to experiment after five months in office.

    “So far, the only achievement of the current administration is the rebranded exercise books distributed recently with pomp and pageantry.

    “It would have been better to follow up on the exercise book distribution with provision of pieces of furniture and release of running grants for public primary and secondary schools across the state,” it said.

    The party described as gross display of incompetence on the part of the Makinde-led government plan to construct a new Gbagi Market on the popular exhibition ground in Sango, Ibadan.

    It expressed the regret that this was coming at a time experts had blamed the traffic challenges bedevilling Ibadan on the some of the existing markets in the heart of the city.

    “If not sheer display of incompetence and the unbridled quest to mismanage public funds, there is no reason for this kind of desperation for contract awards by the present administration,” APC stated.

  • Oyo Govt. to recruit more teachers soon — Makinde

    Oyo Govt. to recruit more teachers soon — Makinde

    Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, says the state government would soon recruit more teachers to enhance quality education delivery in public schools across the state.

    Makinde stated this at the 90th anniversary of Government College, Ibadan on Saturday.

    He said the recruitment of more qualified teachers in public schools in the state, would go a long way in improving the performance of public schools pupils and students in national examinations.

    The governor reiterated the readiness of his administration to reclaim the lost glory in the educational sector.

    He said government would collaborate with relevant stakeholders that would help the educational system in the state.

    Makinde said that his administration would continue to find other ways to provide free and qualitative education to the people of the state from primary school to secondary

    He said the ongoing distribution of free exercise books and textbooks to pupils and students in public schools in the state, would go round all the schools across the state.

    The governor said that grants would soon be given to public schools, adding that management of such schools should be ready to give account of the grants.

  • South West Govs to launch new security architecture in August – Makinde

    South West Govs to launch new security architecture in August – Makinde

    As part of effort to tackle the insecurity in the Southwest zone of the country, the governors in the six Southwest states will launch a new security architecture in August.
    Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, disclosed this on Sunday at a special thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Yemetu, Ibadan.
    A statement by Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, indicated that the thanksgiving was in honour of Madam Abigail Makinde, the mother of the governor.
    The governor said he and his counterparts in the region have met and agreed to launch the new security architecture to nip the menace of insecurity in the bud.
    He also made it known that Oyo state would equally launch its state-own security system before his 100 days in office.
    The statement further quoted Makinde as saying that the governors of South West states have been meeting to find lasting solutions to the security challenges in the region.
    ”I and other governors of the South West, have met on how to launch a new security architecture before the end of August 2019.
    ” The first 100 days of this government will be on the 5th of September and before the 5th of September, we will launch a new security architecture for the state, he disclosed.
    Makinde further reiterated the commitment of his administration towards the four key pillars of his administration, which were Security, Health, Education and Economy.
    He said his government would strengthen supervision and monitoring of the implementation of health and education policies.
    According to him, the government would also direct energy in the way of job creation to ensure that the teeming population of jobless youths are taken care of.
    Makinde stated that having cancelled the N3,000 education levy imposed on students by the immediate past administration, his government would ensure strict monitoring of the improved monthly subvention, which will soon be provided for the schools.
    He posited that his administration decided to cancel the levies hitherto imposed on students of public schools to allow many indigent students have access to free education.
    ”The government is intent on ensuring the smooth running of schools but will also put in place a monitoring system that would ensure efficiency,” he said.
    According to governor, what he met on ground as regard health sector, was ”more of window dressing.
    ”I have visited Adeoye Hospital Ibadan and what I saw at Adeoyo was more of window dressing, the radiography machine has never worked since it was installed.
    Makinde alleged that the past administration spent some money in some sectors, especially health without monitoring its effectiveness.
    Earlier, Samuel Osungbeju, in his sermon, called for love and tolerance among Nigerians, adding that people should always show love to other fellow human beings.
    Osungbeju noted that no nation or state can prosper and develop without love among its people.
    He condemned the incessant maiming and killing of innocent citizens across the country and called for concerted prayers and divine intervention.

  • I’ll assess Makinde’s performance after 6 months – APC Chairman

    I’ll assess Makinde’s performance after 6 months – APC Chairman

    Chief Akin Oke, the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, says he will only assess Gov. Seyi Makinde’s performance in office after the first 100 days or six months in office.
    Oke, who made this known in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Iseyin, said he doubted the competence of Gov. Seyi Makinde to govern the state.
    “I will wait till then. As at today, I have my serious doubts and reservations on whether he is capable or not,” he said.
    Oke said he was shocked and surprised by the N10 billion loan approval sought by the governor.
    The State House of Assembly had on Tuesday given Makinde approval to borrow N10 billion as requested by the governor.
    He had in his request informed the legislature that the loan would be used to revitalise the state’s infrastructure deficit.
    “I find it surprising because here is a governor that was saying the state was in debt. I thought he had a magic wand to face challenges; I didn’t know that borrowing was his strategy.
    “He was blaming the immediate past governor over N150 billion debt, an incorrect amount anyway.
    ” I find it funny that with just few days in office he has already asked for N10 billion loan,” he said.

  • Seyi Makinde will not disappoint Oyo people – Alaran

    Seyi Makinde will not disappoint Oyo people – Alaran

    The Deputy governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Saheed Adejare-Alaran, on Monday assured residents of Oyo State that the Governor-elect for the state, Mr Seyi Makinde, will not disappoint them.

    Adejare-Alaran gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Iseyin, saying that the people should expect positive change in the incoming administration

    “Makinde won 28 out of 33 council areas of the state, that tell us that he is a man of the people, our people believe and trust him across the state.

    “People want a genuine change; they want an administration that will listen and be responsive and administration that will not be personalised.

    “You will recall that we in ADC and some other parties made the sacrifice of dropping our ambition to support him, because of the vision and also our collective mission to rescue the state from perfidy.

    “From May 29, by the special grace of God, our people will have new lease of life, they will breath sigh of relief and Makinde will not disappoint, by God’s grace, “he said.

    NAN reports that ADC and 4 other parties had an agreement to support the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde, few days to the elections.

    The alliance led to the defeat of the APC candidate, Mr Adebayo Adelebu in the March 9, governorship election while PDP had 26 members of the state House Assembly returned as winners in their respective constituencies.

  • Ajimobi advises Oyo governor-elect, Seyi Makinde on how to run successful administration

    Ajimobi advises Oyo governor-elect, Seyi Makinde on how to run successful administration

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has advised the Governor-Elect, Mr Seyi Makinde to beware of praise singers as he prepares to take over the administration of the state on May 29.

    The outgoing governor also enjoined Makinde to avoid acrimony and leverage on relationships by attracting people from both his party and others from across party divide in the state to help him in managing the affairs of the state.

    He gave the advice on Thursday when playing host to the Governor-Elect who paid him a courtesy call at the Agodi Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Addressing the visitor in the company of top government functionaries, Governor Ajimobi urged the incoming administration to sustain the peace and security brought to the state by his administration among others feats while also adjusting in the areas his genuine intentions might have been resisted and opposed.

    He commended Makinde for initiating the visit saying such was a departure from the norm and urged the incoming government to sustain the level of relationship and cordiality.

    He assured the incoming PDP government of his readiness and availability to ensure the success of the incoming administration in the interest of the people of the state as a whole.

    Ajimobi said “I congratulate you on the opportunity nature has given you to serve humanity. For me, it is a matter of changing baton and I commend your noble move which is different from the past when after someone lost the election, they will start making troubles and abusing each other.

    “To me, I am so happy that we are moving this state to a high level. Our own was relatively peaceful and for you to say you want to come and greet me, it is a departure from the past. For me, we must continue on this path.

    “The peace and security that we have created must be sustained and I know you as a man of peace who is not criminally inclined. I commend you for coming and for me, it is a reflection of your kind of person.

    “I will advise that in the spirit that you have started, reach out to all and sundry and make it all inclusive to bring in everybody, particularly your party members and others in Oyo state that can add value.

    “We have done our best in Oyo state especially in terms of security and you must sustain it. In the last eight years, Oyo state has been ranked as one of the most peaceful in the country.

    “We will be available to you should you need our advice. You should look at the areas we have done well and sustain it and in the areas we have not, please adjust it. We have always been brothers and I believe you deserve it and you have won irrespective of how you did it. The spirit we have started, we must be sustained.

    “Beware of praise singers, avoid acrimony. It is always better to leverage on relationship instead of dwelling in acrimonies.”

    Earlier in his remarks, Makinde said the visit was to see the governor first hand since after the conclusion of the elections and also said the incoming administration would be requiring the help of the incumbent in the interest of moving the state forward.

    Makinde said “The visit is to see you first hand since after the election. We will require your help. Electioneering is over and certain things that we might have said were just for the campaign talks, but now is the time to face reality.

    “You have done your own part. Our state is dear to all of us and we shall share your vision like I had said in one of our numerous interactions before the elections. We want to work together with you and make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible.”

    Some of the personalities in the entourage of Makinde include, the deputy governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, a former Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Hosea Agboola, business mogul, Femi Babalola, PDP state chairman, Mr Kunmi Mustapha, the Campaign Director General, Bayo Lawal and Spokesperson of the Campain team, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

    Others are, Mr Olayemi Buhari, Mrs Bosede Adedibu, Mr Dare Adeleke, Mr Akin Fagbemi, Mr Tunde Tijani and Chief Jacob Adetoro.

     

  • We’ll consider APC appointees who are competent – Oyo PDP gov-elect, Makinde

    We’ll consider APC appointees who are competent – Oyo PDP gov-elect, Makinde

    The Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, says his administration will consider persons appointed by the outgoing All Progressives Congress if they are found to be competent.

    Makinde, who won the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party said this during an interview with Lagelu FM 96.7 on Tuesday.

    The governor-elect, who spoke in Yoruba language, said he would put competence ahead of party consideration.

    He said, “We are willing to work with anyone even in the APC. If we see they are good or if an appointee appointed by the APC is good, we will retain him. At the end of the day, people are more concerned with results.”

    He also announced a cancellation of the N3,000 education levy which was imposed on students by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led government.

    “The N3,000 which students are made to pay as education levy will be stopped immediately I take over on May 29. The money is about N1.2bn but let parents now hold unto that money and use it for their personal matters,” he said.

    Makinde said he would personally handle economic matters and take responsibility for anything that happens in the state.

    The governor-elect said he would set a six-month target for the economic revival and improve the health sector and the security of the state.

    He said, “We will set financial targets for ourselves every six months to make our selfs financially stable so that we will not rely on federal allocations anymore. I will personally handle the economy.

    “I will focus on agriculture and use it to drive the economy. We will put experts in that field.”

    Makinde said governing a state like Oyo would require cooperation and synergy, adding that he would consult Governor Abiola Ajimobi; ex-Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and his predecessor, Rashidi Ladoja, for advice as he prepares to resume office on May 29.

    The governor-elect said his government would look into the dismissal of some government workers with a view to reinstating those who did not deserve to be sacked.

    “All government workers who were sacked without fault, we will review the circumstances surrounding their sack and those who didn’t deserve dismissal will be reabsorbed,” Makinde said.

  • Oyo guber: Ajimobi congratulates PDP governorship candidate, Seyi Makinde

    Oyo guber: Ajimobi congratulates PDP governorship candidate, Seyi Makinde

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has congratulated the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Mr Seyi Makinde, who was declared winner of Saturday’s keenly contested election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In a congratulatory message, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, quoted the governor as saying that that now that the elections are over, Engr Makinde should ensure that all stakeholders were carried along in his administration.

    The governor urged Makinde to start getting prepared for the onerous task of governance by putting behind him all the electioneering acrimonies and prevail on his followers and supporters to guard against acts and utterances capable of igniting crisis in the state.

    Ajimobi said, “In the last eight years we have ensured adherence to the rule of law. We have done a lot to ensure the growth and development of our dear state through our visible unprecedented achievements, as acclaimed by the masses of Oyo State and the outside world.

    “While congratulating you and wishing you a successful tenure, I enjoin you to focus on the sustained development of our state in the areas of peace, security, as well as safety of lives and property that the state has enjoyed in the last eight years.

    “I extend to you the right hand of fellowship and promise to avail you my wealth of experience on critical developmental and governance matrix for the continued growth of our dear state and for the betterment of the lives of the entire citizens of the state.

    “Since the duty of every government is to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive and for citizens to go about their lawful duties under a peaceful and secure environment, may I advise that you leverage on our widely-acclaimed achievements in these areas.”