News
Makinde admits epileptic performance of light-up Oyo project, promises permanent solution
Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has assured residents of the state that his administration will find a permanent solution to the challenges facing the light-up Oyo project after the ongoing audit.
The governor, who gave the assurance while speaking during a special service held at Maranatha Lord Cometh Ministries International, Abayomi, Iwo-Road, Ibadan, said that his administration was also reviewing environmental laws to clean up the environment and remove beggars from the streets.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that there will be a permanent solution to the epileptic performance of the light-up Oyo project and the traffic congestion being experienced by the people of the state.
He added that the traffic gridlock experienced in recent months must have been the result of influxes of people seeking a conducive environment in Oyo State.
He explained that residents should not be afraid of whether the light will come back or not, as according to him, it will come back sustainably.
Similarly, the governor vowed to get beggars and the destitute off the streets as soon as possible.
He warned lawbreakers, to turn a new leaf by obeying environmental and traffic laws, adding that violators of state laws would not go unpunished under Omituntun 2.0.
He promised to fix the road that leads to the church as quickly as possible.
He said, “You know, it is one thing to be here and another thing to do something that you can remember. So, your request to fix this road is approved. And let it be on record that this is done under Omituntun 1.0.
“Let me also say that we have been blessed with the message this morning of mercy and grace. For the beggars, we are thinking about them and will take them off the streets. Two days ago, I visited the camp at Akinyele but it did not perform as envisaged, but we will take another approach to it. So, between now and May 29th, you will see us taking the beggars off the streets.
Speaking on the light-up project, he said: “So, an audit is going on right now, and I have asked the Commissioner for Energy to put out a notice. It will take about four to six weeks to complete the audit process, and we will have a permanent solution immediately after that audit. “So, you don’t have to be afraid of whether the light will come back or not. They will come back and stay there sustainably.
“The second issue is about the investment on the road. As you can see, we have traffic situations here. Well, let me say this: many people are coming into this state from other states because things are being done right here.
“When we came in, we were in a hole. Now, we are out of the hole and yet to start working or running, but we are crawling along and being proactive in how we are situating our infrastructure.” Many people are coming in, and we have to stay ahead of how we provide the infrastructure. If you look at the airport road coming into Ibadan, it is not the same situation as we have in Lagos. We are looking at multiple routes to get to the airport. Not only have we dualized the airport road itself, but the airport road is now going to Ajia to burst out at the Ajia junction. So, if you are going to Ife, you don’t need to get to the junction.
“We also have a new road now going through Oremeji, Agugu, which is right after the gate of the airport.” So, if you are going to the center of the city, you don’t have to come to Iwo Road. You turn in right after the gate to get to Oremeji, Agugu, and beyond. Also, on that road to Ajia, we made a spur to Amuloko, and from Amuloko, you can turn left and go towards Akanran and Ijebu-Ode, and you can turn right and come to Olorunsogo. Not only are we fixing the road, but we are also dualizing the biggest portion, which is about 3.5 km.
“For example, if you want to come to Secretariat, Gate, Total Garden, and all those neighbouring areas, you don’t have to come in through Iwo Road. The Old Ife Road is being fixed. I was there yesterday night around 9:30 p.m. and inspected the underpass at Onipepeye. You know it is connected to the Ogbere River, and we have expanded that place. We can never experience floods at Onipepeye again. If you want to go to Gate, you take the old-Ife road, which has been dualized. No bottleneck. That underpass will be open for traffic before the 29th of May. All of these are under Omituntun 1.0.
“You also touched on waste management. Yes, we have moved from where we used to be but still need to do more, and we are constantly looking at the means to achieve a very clean and presentable environment. I can say we are well on our way. We know the solution, and we are trying to implement it. So, I look forward to a cleaner and saner Ibadan.
“If you look at the roadmap for sustainable development 2023–2027, Section 6, it deals with the rule of law. We have the grace period now, too. Between now and May 29, people will have grace. But starting May 29, I will make the pronouncement and put big billboards at all entry points to Oyo State that will suggest that this will be a state where you will be responsible for your actions.
“We will engage with all stakeholders whose markets are flowing into the roads and causing traffic logjams. We will ask them to be confined within the space provided for buying and selling. I will not go after the sellers, but the buyers. If you want to buy things, go inside the market. We will provide parking spaces and organization within those marketplaces. But if you stay on the road to patronize people who are not supposed to be on the road, you will pay the fine for both of you the buyer and the seller. We will show mercy on the seller, but the grace will not cover the buyer. We will sensitize the people first.
“We had the last Exco meeting about a week and a half ago, and we tasked the Exco and they harmonized the Environmental Bill. It is with the Oyo State House of Assembly now, and once it is passed, then there is a law. We will ask people to obey our laws, and we will all be better for it. We have connected almost all of our zones. I went for inspection in three zones of Oyo State, and we did it within five hours and got to Oyo, Oke-Ogun, and came back to Ibadan to inspect projects. So, we have put in the handwork but left it to people to obey the law and let the rest also enjoy the benefits of the money we have put into our infrastructure.”.
Earlier in his message, the presiding pastor of the church, Bishop Samuel 1 Olumakinde Alawode who read from the Bible Ephesians 4:7, admonished people to repent of their sins and seek divine grace from the Lord.
While commending the unprecedented feats achieved by the governor in Omituntun 1.0, the cleric charged Governor Makinde to be more active in his second term in office and strive to leave a lasting legacy in the history of the state.
The family of the late veteran actor and scholar, Chief (Prof.) Adekola “Kola” Oyewo, has expressed deep appreciation to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among other Nigerians, for their messages of condolence and support following the death of their patriarch.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Dr. Adewale Oyewo on behalf of the family, the bereaved household said the overwhelming show of sympathy, prayers, visits and acts of kindness from across Nigeria and beyond had served as a strong pillar of comfort in their period of grief.
The family described the late Oyewo as a respected community leader, accomplished academic, devoted family man, and traditional title holder whose life was defined by service, integrity, and unwavering commitment to societal development.
According to the statement, the tributes received in his honour reflect the far-reaching impact he made on students, colleagues, cultural practitioners and the wider society.
The family particularly appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke for his condolence message and prayers, noting that his support had been deeply comforting.
It also expressed gratitude to the Ooni of Ife, whose words of encouragement were described as uplifting and consoling during the mourning period.
The statement further acknowledged the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba (Prof.) Adekunle Ashamu Oyeyemi (Tewogbade I), the Oloba-in-Council, and other traditional institutions for their fatherly support and solidarity.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was also commended for his message of sympathy, which the family said brought reassurance in their moment of loss.
The family extended appreciation to professional bodies including the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), as well as academic communities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University, Ekiti State University, and Elizade University, where the deceased served.
They also thanked friends, associates and well-wishers who stood by them with prayers and support.
“As we continue preparations to honour the life and legacy of our beloved patriarch, we humbly seek continued prayers and support,” the statement added, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has appointed Anietie Iniedu as the new Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, succeeding Anthony Placid, who was appointed to the position barely three months ago.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Placid, who described his successor as a seasoned police officer with extensive experience in public communication, operational policing, intelligence management, institutional accountability and administration.
An indigene of Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Iniedu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure Chemistry from the University of Uyo and has attended several professional courses in investigative interviewing, crime scene management, intelligence analysis, strategic communication and human rights-based policing.
Before his latest appointment, Iniedu headed the Complaint Response Unit at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he coordinated the management of public complaints and drove initiatives aimed at deepening transparency, accountability and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
He also served as Public Relations Officer of the Police College of Information Technology, Kobape, Ogun State, in addition to holding several operational and administrative positions across the country.
His previous postings include Operations Officer at the Maisandari Division in Yobe State, Area Crime Officer at the Umuahia Area Command in Abia State, Staff Officer at the IGP Secretariat, Force Headquarters, Second-in-Command of the 50 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Kubwa, and Officer-in-Charge of the Force Headquarters Situation Room, where he coordinated the dissemination of crime and security information nationwide.
The statement quoted the Inspector-General as expressing confidence in Iniedu’s capacity to lead the Force Public Relations Department, noting that his wealth of experience and professional background would further strengthen the police’s strategic communication architecture and enhance engagement with members of the public.
Insist state policing must align with federalism, citizens’ rights as governors deepen talks on constitutional review, energy transition, agriculture, social protection
The 36 state governors under the umbrella of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum have renewed their support for the establishment of state police and sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s power sector, signalling fresh momentum for key constitutional and economic restructuring efforts.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Forum’s second meeting held on Wednesday, where the governors deliberated on security, energy, nutrition, agriculture and development partnerships affecting the country.
According to the communiqué, the governors engaged in extensive consultations with Attorneys-General across the states to review proposed constitutional amendments relating to state policing and other governance reforms.
They stressed that any framework for state police must be “constitutionally sound, consistent with federalism, and protective of citizens’ rights,” adding that ongoing legal consultations would help shape a unified and stronger position for the states ahead of national engagement.
The Forum noted that the collaborative review process with legal advisers was already producing inputs expected to strengthen the collective stance of states on security restructuring in the country.
On social development, the governors received a presentation from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on progress under the National Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative, aimed at tackling malnutrition at the grassroots.
They reaffirmed their commitment to improving nutrition outcomes across Nigeria, particularly in reducing child malnutrition, and expressed support for the ongoing consideration of the National Nutrition Bill.
The governors also called for sustained engagement with stakeholders to strengthen the legal and institutional framework guiding nutrition governance nationwide.
In another briefing, the Forum was updated by the World Bank Country Office on the proposed Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria (FY2026–2032), alongside the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Programme.
The AGROW initiative is designed to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen value chains, attract private sector investment, improve food security, and support early childhood development interventions across participating states.
The governors expressed support for continued collaboration with the Federal Government, the World Bank and development partners, while endorsing state-specific interventions aimed at ensuring effective implementation and measurable impact.
They further urged stronger inter-sectoral coordination in health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and social protection systems to improve outcomes for citizens.
On energy reform, the Forum considered the National Solar Super-Grid (NSSG) Initiative, a plan to expand electricity access through decentralised solar generation integrated into a national transmission backbone.
The governors noted the initiative’s potential to improve energy security, deepen industrialisation, strengthen state electricity markets and accelerate economic growth across the federation.
Reaffirming their commitment to power sector reforms, the governors pledged sustained collaboration with stakeholders to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity, describing energy reform as central to job creation, productivity and national development.
The meeting ended with a renewed resolve by the governors to deepen cooperation on reforms seen as critical to economic stability, security restructuring and improved welfare for Nigerians.
-
Politics1 week agoAPC youths oppose alleged plot to replace assembly candidate in Ido LG
-
Politics1 week ago
2027: Oseni Mobilises Oyo Artisans, Traders, Targets One Million Votes for Tinubu
-
News2 days ago
Kola Oyewo’s family to Adeleke, Ooni, Atiku: Your condolences are our pillar of strength
-
Opinion1 week ago
State Police, Local Government Autonomy: Answers to Nigeria’s Lingering Questions | By Titilope Gbadamosi
