Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that it has become imperative to raise a new set of young and youthful leaders in governance.
Governor Makinde stated this on Monday, at the 2024 Omituntun Mega Praise and end of the year thanksgiving programme, themed “Extravagant Praise” (Iyin Ola-Nla) and held at the Government House Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan.
He explained that it is important for the next generation of leaders to exhibit their talents and contribute their meaningful quotas to the development of the state and the country.
Noting that his political future solely depends on God, the governor stated that his present focus is to deliver on the mandate given to him by residents of Oyo State.
He equally maintained that there is every reason to thank God in 2024 despite the challenges faced by the state, because God commanded that we should praise him in all situations.
The 2024 edition is the 10th in the series of the annual praise organised by Governor Makinde since 2014.
The governor said: “For me, with all the challenges we have had in this year 2024, we still need to thank God. Two weeks into this year, we had the Bodija explosion, something that could have been avoided.
“Again, about five days ago, we had deaths caused by stampede at the Islamic High School but, despite all of that, we must praise God for being alive.
“Despite past losses in a bid to become the governor of the state, I have always thanked God, because God said we should always give thanks to him in every situation. We lost in 2015 but we did not stop and kept praising God. Same thing happened in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
“In 2019, I became the governor of Oyo State and I will be leaving this seat at the age of 59. Let me say this: my vision for Oyo State is that we need to create a new set of leaders. I will not take any position to deprive any of these young people from coming up to exhibit their talents.”
The governor equally stated that though his administration has done quite much across different sectors, he will remain focused on delivering more.
“Even though we have done quite a bit, we still have a lot more to do for the people of Oyo State and I am focusing on delivering the mandate, which the Oyo State people gave to me.
“My political future is in the hands of God and God’s will alone will be done.
“Let me touch on two issues before we leave here. The first is about the Light-up Oyo issue. If you have observed very well, there is no light everywhere. The state has invested a lot on the infrastructure and it is there but to make the light come up, it is either you power it by diesel or gas or solar.
“We can also power it by public electricity supply but we all know that the national grid has been collapsing frequently. Whether you are on Band A or B or E, the truth of the matter is that we have issues with our national grid.
“But in Oyo State, we now have our IPP and we have excess power to power our streetlights, especially within Ibadan, only that we have to do the distribution network before it can begin to work efficiently.
“For now, I want to tell the people of Oyo State that the Light-up project is real and we are trying to make it better and stable. Once it comes back on, it will remain on.
“I also want to use this opportunity to commend our labour leaders in Oyo State because we have achieved a lot through industrial harmony in the state.
“I will encourage you to let us keep it up so that we will continue to deliver together the dividends of democracy to our people in Oyo State.”
In his sermon, the Founder, Christ Revival Miracle Church, Prophet Peter Owa, said that human beings were created to love God, praise God, serve Him and be useful to Him by honouring Him with their substances.
He urged people to always appreciate God for more blessings in their lives, noting that God dwells in praise and thanksgiving.
Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman, Mega Praise Committee, Deacon Adekola Ayoade, said the programme, which started in 2014 through the initiative of Governor Makinde has been from one success to another.
He lauded Governor Makinde’s commitment to the programme since inception and equally commended his resilience, aspirations and his leadership style in governing the state.
The event had in attendance the governor of Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Kola Adewusi; wife of the Oyo State governor, Engr (Mrs) Tamunominini Makinde; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; his wife, Chief (Mrs) Ajibola Lawal; PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) and former deputy governor of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, former deputy governors of Oyo State, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi and Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi; and wife of former Oyo State governor, Chief Mrs Mutiat Ladoja.
Also in attendance were former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sumonu; member representing Iseyin/Kajola/Itesiwaju Federal Constituency, Honourable Oyeshina Oyedeji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Fola Oyekunle; Commissioners, Senior Executive Assistant to the governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Oyo State PDP Secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; chairman and co-chairman of the Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun and Chief Wole Oyelese; Chairman of the Oyo State Advisory Council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN; religious leaders; traditional rulers and notable gospel artistes.
Signed
Sulaimon Olanrewaju
Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor
December 24, 2024.
