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AJIA: Stop protesting take over of land for development, Makinde tells Oyo indigenes

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Filed photo: Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde

… pledges to pay compensation for acquired lands

…as governor names proposed ICT Institution in Ajia  after Pa Akinyele

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde last Sunday, told indigenes of the state to stop protesting the take over of land for developmental purposes, adding that government will always pay compensation for any land acquired.

The governor, while speaking at the 1st year remembrance of Late Chief Theophilus Akinyele, held at the St Paul’s Anglican Church,  Ajia, Ibadan, said that the indigenes needed to emulate Pa Akinyele, whom he said donated his own land for use if the state.

He told the congregation that he was ready to do everything within his power to develop Ajia village to a  city in line with the dream of Pa Akinyele.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the  governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as declaring that he would name the Information Communication Technology Institution to be cited in Ajia after after Pa Theophilus Akinyele.

He also revealed that  the state has received  commitment from the Nigerian Air Force  to set up. AIR Force Base in Ajia, adding that the. Base would fast track the development of the village.

The statement appealed to those who have been protesting   government acquisition of Lands for public good to stop so as  not to be a clog to the wheel of progress.

He said: “I want to say that Ajia will be the host of an Information Communication Technology Institute, and it will be named Chief Theophilus Akinyele ICT Institute, Ajia to honour the memory of Baba.

“We thank God for today because He has been with us since Baba left us. I was wondering how Mama would cope with His absence but I am happy that God has been her source of strength.

“Few months before my father died, he handed me over to Pa Akinyele to care of me concerning my political career and I thank God that Baba was alive when my ambition to become the governor of Oyo State was realised.

“We shared two things in common, and one of it is the love for this village but I can tell you that it is fast becoming a city. So, we shared that passion and love  for Ajia. One of the last functions Baba attended was when we flagged off the Ajia-Airport Road with a spur to Amuloko. I am glad that the work is progressing very well.

“I checked  when we got to Ajia junction because it took us four minutes from that junction to get here. And one of the visions Baba shared with me is the development of Ajia which  will be based on being a modal village to a city,  and now, we are realising that actually.

” Very soon, in another three to four months, you will be able to go to the Airport from here. So, indeed, Ajia is on the rise.

“We have the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force to set up their base here in Ajia. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to those protesting that government has dispossessed them of their land. I am from here and Mama is the Iyalode of Ajia. So, we know the true sons and daughters of this place.

“If you have acquired land here and we need the land for public good, we will compensate you to conveniently move to another place. But you should not be a clog to the wheel of progress of Ajia. Yes! We won’t even accept that. Apart from the fact that I have to console Mama, I have two more things to say and want people to learn from.

“Few days after Baba passed on, Mama called me to the House and handed over a  Certificate of Occupancy to me and said it was Baba’s land. She told me Baba bought the land because he didn’t want haphazard development around this place. She returned the Cof O to the government for proper development according to the vision around there. And I want to make a promise before God’s Altar that I will do everything within my power to realise that vision.

“I have met with people in this state who used their positions to acquire government land and built houses on. But now, look at someone who used his personal money to buy land and still handed same over back to the government.

“I want us to learn from Mama and  what the family has done on behalf of Baba, and begin to do things the way they are supposed to be done.

The governor later commissioned Theophilus and Elizabeth Akinyele  Library at Bodija residence.

Earlier, while delivering a sermon at the church service, the Diocesan Bishop of Ibadan North and Archbishop Ibadan Province, Most Rev. Segun Okubadejo, who read from the book of Psalm 116- Verse 15, admonished the congregation to always live their lives with fear of God.

“God is pleased when his saints die and come home to him.” Or perhaps, “In God’s sight, the death of his saints is really a good thing and not a bad thing.”

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Oyo South APC Candidate, Oseni, Takes Delivery of 20 New Transformers for Distribution

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Oseni, has taken delivery of 20 additional transformers for distribution to communities across the district as part of efforts to address electricity challenges and strengthen local infrastructure.

The latest consignment is expected to provide relief to communities grappling with inadequate power supply, particularly households, traders, artisans and small-scale business owners whose economic activities are often hampered by unreliable electricity.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Saturday, Oseni, who currently represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described electricity as a critical driver of economic growth, community development and improved living standards.

He said the intervention was informed by the need to respond to the everyday challenges confronting residents, noting that access to reliable electricity remained essential to both domestic and commercial activities.

“We recognise the difficulties our people face as a result of inadequate electricity supply. For traders, artisans, small business owners and families, reliable power is not a luxury but an important part of their daily lives. The arrival of these 20 additional transformers is another practical step towards responding to those concerns and supporting our communities,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that the transformers would be distributed to identified communities based on their electricity needs, adding that care would be taken to ensure the equipment served its intended purpose and delivered tangible benefits to residents.

He further stressed that effective representation should go beyond political promises and public pronouncements, noting that elected leaders must demonstrate their commitment through practical interventions that address the needs of their constituents.

“Our people deserve more than promises. They deserve leadership that pays attention to their challenges and is committed to finding practical ways to address them. We will continue to support initiatives that improve living conditions, strengthen local businesses and bring development closer to our communities,” he added.

The latest delivery adds to Oseni’s infrastructure support efforts across Oyo South, with electricity supply remaining a major concern for many communities in the senatorial district.

The intervention is also expected to complement his earlier efforts to improve electricity distribution and service delivery across the affected communities.

Oseni reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of residents and promoting sustainable development across Oyo South.

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‎Oseni Hails Folarin’s Political Experience, Contributions at 63

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‎The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, on his 63rd birthday, acknowledging his years of political experience and contributions to public service.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, conveyed his felicitations in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, on Friday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He described Folarin’s birthday as an occasion to reflect on a career marked by years of involvement in legislative affairs and the political development of Oyo State and Nigeria.

‎The federal lawmaker noted that Folarin had established himself as a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape, having served in different legislative and political capacities, particularly as Senate Leader.

He said the former Senate leader’s experience in the legislature had given him valuable insight into governance, public service and the responsibilities of political leadership.

The APC chieftain added that Oyo State needed the collective wisdom and contributions of its political leaders, irrespective of their political affiliations, to sustain peace, stability and development.

He said, “Senator Teslim Folarin is a man whose years in public service have given him considerable experience in the political and legislative affairs of our country. His contributions to Oyo State and his commitment to public life are worthy of acknowledgement.

“On this special occasion, I celebrate him and wish him many more years of good health, wisdom and fulfilment.”

Oseni further wished the former Senate Leader renewed strength and greater opportunities to contribute to the development of his community, Oyo State and the country.

‎He also prayed for God’s continued protection, sound health and guidance for Folarin, expressing hope that his new year would bring him peace, happiness and greater accomplishments.

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Oyo South: Oseni releases N110m for ICT, water, solar streetlights in Ibarapa East

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The Oyo South Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has released N110m for youth digital training, boreholes and solar-powered streetlights across the 10 wards of Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to a statement by the lawmaker’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, the intervention comprises N10m for equipping the Eruwa Youth Movement (EYM) Secretariat’s Information and Communication Technology Centre (ICT) and N100m for the provision of boreholes and solar-powered streetlights in Eruwa, Lanlate and other communities across the local government.

Oseni, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the ICT centre allocation was intended to provide modern equipment to strengthen digital training and equip young people with practical skills relevant to employment and entrepreneurship.

He said the investment was driven by the need to prepare young people for the demands of an increasingly technology-driven economy.

“Our young people have talents and ambitions, but they need access to the right tools and opportunities. Equipping the Eruwa Youth Movement (EYM) ICT Centre is a practical step towards helping them develop useful skills, become more self-reliant and compete for opportunities in the digital economy,” he was quoted as saying.

The lawmaker explained that the larger allocation of N100m would support the provision of boreholes and solar-powered streetlights across the 10 wards of Ibarapa East.

He said the boreholes would improve access to water for households, while the streetlights would enhance security, improve visibility and make community roads and public spaces safer after dark.

Idowu said the latest intervention was in addition to the lawmaker’s earlier constituency development efforts in Ido and Ibarapa East local government areas, particularly in basic infrastructure and youth development.

He added that distributing the projects across the 10 wards was aimed at ensuring that communities across the local government benefited from the intervention.

“Our responsibility is to support projects that respond to the real needs of our people. Access to water, safer public spaces and opportunities for our young people are important to the well-being of our communities,” Oseni was further quoted as saying.

The APC senatorial candidate reaffirmed his commitment to effective representation and sustained grassroots engagement, assuring residents that he would continue to support initiatives addressing the needs of communities across the district.

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