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Makinde presents N294.5bn ‘budget of growth, opportunities’ to Oyo Assembly

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Governor Seyi Makinde during the budget presentation

Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, presented a budget in the sum of N294.5 billion to the State House of Assembly for the 2022 fiscal year.

The governor maintained that his administration was determined to move the state from poverty to prosperity.

Governor Makinde, in  a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo  Adisa, said, “last year, we presented to you our budget on Continued Consolidation. I had a chance to present to you a report of our accomplishments over the previous budgetary cycle and our plans for 2021.

“Mr. Speaker Sir, Honourable Members of the House, this year, it gives me great pleasure to be with you again for the presentation of the 2022 Fiscal Budget which we have tagged a Budget of Growth and Opportunities.”

Giving a breakdown of the N294.5 billion proposal titled ‘Budget of Growth and Opportunities’, Makinde stated that capital expenditure stands at the sum of N156 billion, representing 52.97 per cent, while recurrent expenditure will stand at N138.5 billion, amounting to 47.03 per cent.

He said that the N294.5 billion budget represents an 18.3 per cent reduction over the amended 2021 budget.

According to him, funds for the 2022 budget shall be sourced from internally generated revenue, statutory allocations, and capital receipts.

A further breakdown of the budget indicates that infrastructure is to gulp the sum of N96.6 billion, amounting to 32.83 percent, Education sector is allocated the sum of N54.1b, amounting to 18.37 per cent; the health sector is to get the sum of N17.4b amounting to 5.9 per cent, while Agric will get N11.3b amounting to 3.84 per cent.

He told the lawmakers that his administration last year promised to continue to invest in infrastructure, adding that such investments were not only evenly distributed, they also cut across the thematic aspects of his administration spanning the four-point service agenda.

He said: “We have worked hard to ensure that infrastructural development is not restricted to just one zone of the state. In education, we have continued to make investments at all levels. At the primary level, we completed 26 model schools across all zones in Oyo State, built 57 classrooms, installed boreholes, and improved the sanitary condition of existing schools through the construction of toilets.

“We have also continued to improve the quality of education in Oyo State. We not only recruited teachers as reported, but we have also trained them on best practices. More recently we completed the recruitment of 692 education officers in the state.”

He said that his administration also ensured that the Health sector performs creditably in the 2021 fiscal year, adding that the government has continued to keep the promise of reconstructing one Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each of the 351 electoral Wards of the State.

He further submitted: “In the past year, we completed the renovation, upgrade, and equipping of 40 PHCs. Secondary healthcare facilities have not been left out as we continued to upgrade and rehabilitate existing facilities to serve the good people of Oyo State.

“On Security, we have made provision to recruit more Amotekun Corps members and we will continue to make investment in technology that supports our security architecture in Oyo State.”

He stated that the state has always prioritised infrastructural development, adding that in the last year, his administration intensified efforts on building projects that can generate more income for the state.

He disclosed that the Challenge Bus Terminal in Ibadan was 70 per cent complete, while the other three terminals at Iwo Road, New Ife Road, and Ojoo areas of Ibadan were also ongoing.

He stated that the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub under construction is at about 40 per cent completion, while the state has recorded significant progress in reconstructing the 21km Airport- Ajia-New Ife Express Road with a spur to Amuloko; 12km Apete-Awotan-Akufo Road and the 44.7km Saki-Ogbooro-Igboho Road.

Makinde stated that the Idi Ape-Basorun-Akobo- Odogbo Barracks Road and the 5.2km Gedu-Oroki-Sabo-Asipa Road are also nearing completion.

He further stated: “There is still so much more that needs to be done. We are aware of the complaints of our people regarding roads in Oyo State. We are determined to meet their yearnings for high-quality infrastructure in the state and that is why we continually embark on road rehabilitation and reconstruction. In the immediate, we are carrying out palliative works on these roads.”

He listed other road projects that will get direct focus in the 2020 budget as including the Iseyin-Oyo road, the Iseyin-Ogbomoso road, and the 110 km Ibadan Circular Road.

He said that the 2022 budget was put together using the inclusive budgeting model already adopted by his administration, whereby Town Hall meetings were held with indigenes and residents at different locations across the geopolitical zones of the state.

He stated: “Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members of the House, in keeping with our tradition in the last two years, we again embarked on Townhall Meetings on the 2022 budget and gave stakeholders the opportunity to contribute towards the direction of this budget.

“The people have again spoken and based on their feedback; we have prepared our budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year.”

He said that the state intends to inject the sum of N156 billion into the economy through investments in infrastructure and by ensuring that “our people have higher purchasing power.

“For the first time, our proposed capital expenditure at 52.97% is more than our recurrent expenditure. A major project we will be carrying out in 2022 is 110km Ibadan Circular Road. This tolled road will be a major economic boost as it will create an alternate entry and exit point out of Ibadan and connect the new economic corridor and business district, we are building at Moniya.

“Also, we will commence the reconstruction of the Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road to further boost economic activities in the state,” he said.

He also stated that his administration will continue to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive while opening doors to both local and foreign investors in agribusiness, tourism, and other sectors.

He used the opportunity to announce the Oyo Agribusiness Summit 2021, which he said would hold in Ibadan in the next few weeks.

While giving details of the performance of the 2021 budget, Makinde said that budget performance had reached 60 per cent despite the fact that there are three more months to the end of the fiscal year.

He said that the state was hopeful of raising the performance to 75 per cent.

He said that for the 2022 fiscal year, the state is projecting an Internally Generated Revenue of N79,796,513,040.00, adding that though the projection was a tall order, his administration plans to achieve it without increasing tax.

He said: “We already see this working to our advantage as the recently released figures show that our contributions to Nigeria’s Value Added Tax shot up to over N64 Billion.

“We have continued to follow the Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023, which highlights the four sectors that our administration has prioritised in engineering a prosperous Oyo State.”

He noted that the state has continued to exceed UNESCO standards in allocating resources to education.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, said that the presentation of the 2022 budget will spur lawmakers to redouble their efforts in terms of oversight functions and project monitoring.

According to him, the timely presentation of the 2022 budget will also ensure that the legislature completes work on it well before the end of the 2021 fiscal year. He added that the development would help the state keep to the January to December Budget circle.

The Speaker said: “Let me state categorically that the budget proposal is not new to us because we have been part of the process at all levels. We are equally convinced that the governor has articulated all the requests and demands of our people based on the outcome of the stakeholders’ consultative meetings on the 2022 budget, held across the State.

“Expectedly, the four cardinal pillars upon which this administration places its development agenda, viz: Education, Health, Economy (driven by Agribusiness), and Security are steadily being pursued and realised.”

He commended Governor Makinde for working to grow the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, adding that the assembly would do everything possible to ensure the checks and balances crucial for achieving a transparent, accountable, and prudent government.

He also requested that the governor assents to the Legislative Fund Management Law which has been passed by the assembly, adding that states that have assented to the law include Adamawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau, Delta, Ekiti, and Ondo.

”Once it is assented to by you, we will be able to implement Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) which is a uniform salary structure for all the State Houses of Assembly, the Speaker said, adding that some states of the federation are already implementing the consolidated legislative salary structure.

The Speaker said: “States like Rivers, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Sokoto, Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, and Lagos are already paying their Legislative staff using CONLESS salary structure. In Oyo State, the Judiciary workers have also been enjoying their Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS). His Excellency, we do not want to be an exception.”

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Ajimobi’s Legacy Still Guides Us, Oladele Urges Oyo APC Unity

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State and aspirant for the Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general elections, Hon. Bosun Oladele, has called on members of the party and the wider progressive family in the state to embrace unity in order to preserve and advance the legacy of the late former Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Oladele made the appeal on Thursday as political associates, loyalists and admirers marked the remembrance of the former governor, whose administration was widely associated with the popular slogan, “Koseleri.”

In a statement he personally issued,  the federal lawmaker hopeful described Ajimobi as a visionary leader whose passion for development transformed Oyo State and left an enduring footprint in its political history.

According to him, the annual remembrance of the late governor offers an opportunity for progressives to reflect on the ideals, discipline and commitment that defined Ajimobi’s leadership.

“It is that time of the year to remember the passion that once drove the developmental strides of the Pace Setter State, the centre of politics in Nigeria and a state renowned for many firsts,” Oladele said.

He noted that although the former governor had departed, his contributions to governance and public service remain fresh in the minds of many residents and party faithful.

“Oyo State still misses his sharp mind, problem-solving abilities, oratory prowess, focused leadership and developmental initiatives. His style of governance inspired confidence and demonstrated what purposeful leadership could achieve,” he stated.

Oladele stressed that Ajimobi’s legacy should continue to serve as a source of inspiration for members of the APC, urging them to close ranks and work towards a common goal.

“Even though he is gone, his legacy gives the progressive family in Oyo State hope that the future he envisioned for our dear state remains achievable through oneness and unity of purpose.

“I therefore call on all members of the APC and the progressive family at large to join hands, put aside differences and work together towards winning future elections as part of efforts to actualise the developmental aspirations our departed leader had for Oyo State,” he added.

The APC stalwart also prayed for the repose of Ajimobi’s soul and sought divine strength for his family, particularly his widow, Ambassador Florence Ajimobi, as she continues to shoulder public and private responsibilities.

He expressed optimism that Oyo State would once again witness progressive governance driven by visionary leadership, inclusiveness and a shared commitment to the welfare of the people.

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Senate passes state police bill, governors to appoint CPs

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The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish state police services across the country, a major milestone in ongoing efforts to decentralise policing and tackle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

The proposed legislation introduces a dual policing framework comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, effectively replacing the existing structure under which policing is exclusively controlled by the Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force.

The bill was passed after Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, presented its general principles on the floor of the Red Chamber.

It subsequently scaled second reading, underwent a rigorous clause-by-clause consideration and was passed for third reading after securing the support of more than two-thirds of the senators.

A key provision of the constitutional amendment empowers governors to appoint Commissioners of Police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by the state Houses of Assembly.

Clause 17 of the bill provides that a State Police Service shall be headed by a Commissioner of Police appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the National Police Council and confirmed by the House of Assembly of the state.

The proposed law further defines the operational relationship between governors and state police commands, allowing governors to issue lawful written directives of a general policy nature to Commissioners of Police on matters relating to the maintenance of public safety and order within their states.

To address widespread concerns over possible abuse of the proposed policing structure, lawmakers incorporated safeguards aimed at protecting political freedoms and civil liberties.

The bill expressly states that a state Commissioner of Police shall not arrest, detain, investigate or deploy force against any individual, political party or group merely for criticising the government, except in accordance with the law.

The provision is intended to prevent state police formations from being used to intimidate political opponents, activists, journalists and other dissenting voices while ensuring that all actions taken conform with due process.

The amendment also empowers the Federal Police Service to temporarily intervene in the internal security affairs of a state where there is an actual or imminent breakdown of public order or public safety which the state police are unable or unwilling to contain.

Such intervention must be authorised in writing by the President, who is required to state the grounds, territorial scope, functions and duration of the operation.

The President must also notify the governor, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, the National Police Council and the National Assembly within 48 hours of the commencement of the intervention.

The bill further provides that no federal intervention shall continue beyond a period to be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly unless approved by a resolution of the Senate.

The Senate’s approval came barely a day after President Bola Tinubu transmitted the bill to the National Assembly as part of his administration’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to the President, the proposed amendment is designed to provide a legal framework for a dual policing structure that would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the federal police.

Tinubu said the proposal is a critical component of ongoing efforts to reorganise the country’s policing system, enhance security and better protect citizens, adding that communities, municipalities and local government areas would play more active roles in policing responsibilities under the new arrangement.

The renewed push for state police comes amid growing concerns over insecurity, banditry and mass kidnappings across parts of the country.

Supporters of the proposal argue that decentralised policing would strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering, deepen community-based security initiatives and ensure quicker responses to crimes and emergencies.

Critics, however, have cautioned against possible political interference by governors, funding challenges and the risk of exacerbating ethnic or communal tensions.

Tinubu had earlier described state police as inevitable in addressing the nation’s security challenges and urged lawmakers to fast-track constitutional amendments aimed at bringing the proposal to fruition.

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Tinubu sends state police bill to Senate

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President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.

The proposed legislation, contained in a communication dated June 15, 2026, was read during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Tinubu said the bill was aimed at providing a legal framework for a dual policing structure that would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the President, the proposed amendment forms a key component of ongoing efforts to restructure the country’s policing system to improve security and enhance the protection of lives and property.

He explained that under the arrangement, communities, municipalities and local government areas would play more active roles in policing, enabling local authorities to detect suspicious activities and promptly relay intelligence to security agencies.

Following the presentation, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review and directed it to report back on Wednesday.

Speaking on the importance of community-based policing, the Senate President said local authorities were better placed to identify security threats and support proactive responses by law enforcement agencies.

“You will know when foreigners infiltrate Nigeria and alert security agencies so they can react proactively rather than reactively,” he said.

Akpabio expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between the executive and legislative arms would ensure the successful passage and implementation of the initiative.

He disclosed that the process would be undertaken in phases through constitutional amendments and subsequent Acts of Parliament.

“We will do it in two phases through alteration and an Act of Parliament. There will be a lot of safeguards; let us come and do this important task. It is extremely important that we come tomorrow,” he said.

The Senate President also informed lawmakers that plenary would not entertain other major business following the death of a member of the House of Representatives, Yahaya Tongo of Gombe State.

Similarly, the Senate Leader urged senators to attend the next sitting, stressing the significance of the proposed state police framework.

“We need a minimum of two-thirds of members to vote on constitutional alterations. The issue of state police is non-partisan and cuts across geopolitical zones and interests,” he said.

The latest development came barely two weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for second reading.

Akpabio said the fresh Constitution Alteration Bill transmitted by the President builds on the earlier proposal and seeks to provide the constitutional foundation necessary for the establishment and operation of state police services across the country.

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