Seyi Makinde’s bid for second term

THE Governor of Oyo State Seyi Makinde has made huge changes in the state and there is no doubt that he deserves to be given another chance to complete the good work he has started. I think his performance over the past three and a half years will get people re-electing him for another term. In recent years, the Governor has carried out a number of invaluable projects that will remain in the minds of the people of Oyo State. Makinde has written its name in gold in the fields of security, infrastructure, education and economic expansion through agriculture. He also completed the projects started by previous governments in the state.

No doubt his government had achieved remarkable successes. Since coming on board, he has provided ample support to the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) code-named Amotekun, helping to maintain peace in Oyo State. He expanded and upgraded the Security Control Room and City Watch facilities at the Oyo State Security Trust Fund Headquarters, Onireke, Jericho, Ibadan. He installed CCTV cameras in strategic locations across the state connected to the Security Control Room and provided more communication equipment for the security services, including brand new operational vehicles (pickup vans, Kia Rio cars and automatic pickup vans). ) to the Nigerian Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), ‘Operation Burst’ and Amotekun. In this way, the crime rate in the state had fallen by more than 25 percent; rural farmers returned to their farms.

In the health sector, the government under the leadership of Seyi Makinde has completed the rehabilitation and equipping of 299 primary health care centers (PHCs) out of 351 across the departments in the state. This has touched more than 2 million people through direct interventions. Upon taking office in 2019, he made education free in the state by canceling school fees in public primary and secondary schools. This led to an increase in student/student enrollment in public schools. Makinde has invested heavily in education. He achieved the successful return of 54,000 out-of-school children to school while prioritizing the well-being of teachers and Oyo State staff in general.

His administration was also able to successfully acquire full ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH). Makinde has paid more than N181 billion in tips to date, up from the N81 billion paid in the eight years of the previous administration. While the Ibadan-Iseyin Road is completed, progress is being made on Oyo-Iseyin Road, Ogbomosho-Iseyin Road and Saki-Ogbooro Road. In terms of agriculture, the government of Oyo state is setting up an agribusiness hub at Fasola in Oyo city. In addition, the government is determined to make the state the food basket of the nation by creating a favorable environment for agricultural investors. Another achievement of Makinde is the construction of state-of-the-art bus terminals in Ibadan, two of which are located in Challenge and Ojoo. They have been inaugurated. The remaining two modern megabus terminals at Iwo Road and New Ife Road will be completed before the end of his tenure.

The state-of-the-art bus terminals, also known as transportation hubs, will not only solve problems related to transportation in Ibadan, the state capital, they will also address security concerns. The state-of-the-art, world-class bus terminals include automatic teller machine (ATM) galleries, restaurants and shops. These bus terminals, which are expected to handle up to 10,000 passengers, are intended to collapse transportation units, beautify the skyline and bolster security in the state. The administration completed the first phase of the renovation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba; the reconstruction of Olubadan Stadium, Ibadan; the upgrade of the Durbar Stadium, Oyo; the Soun Stadium, Ogbomoso and the Saki Township Stadium. The revenue generated by the facility has doubled and revenue is expected to increase by 300 percent upon completion.

The Makinde government also implemented policies on women’s issues and social inclusion, including the application of the International Convention on Violence against Women and Gender Balance in all decision-making positions. One of his interventions is to provide shelter to the vulnerable children in the state. Since coming on board, Ibadan has also moved up to the top three cities in Nigeria. His government has improved the living standards of the residents and alleviated the hardships of the people. In an effort to bring more development to the state, the governor needs the support and prayers of Oyo people in the upcoming elections.

• Dr. Akande writes from Ibadan, Oyo state.

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