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We’ll extract value from mineral resources, agriculture to develop Oyo – Makinde assures
Oyo state governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde has declared that his administration’s determination to extract value from mineral resources abundant in the Oke Ogun area of the state, and the competitive advantage of the area in terms of agriculture to boost agribusiness and the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, remains on course.
Governor Makinde made this disclosure during a visit to the palace of the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olabisi, where he met with traditional rulers from Oke Ogun Zone 1, assuring them that his government will continue to do everything possible to develop the state and uplift its people.
According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Governor Makinde was in Oke Ogun to inspect ongoing works at the headquarters of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Saki.
The governor who maintained that Oke Ogun is a treasure base for Oyo State, and that his government will treat it as such, highlighted some of the on-going projects aimed at developing the zone in line with the economic expansion agenda of the administration.
According to the governor, the on-going 68-kilometre Moniya-Iseyin Road, the on-going OYSADA Complex construction, the on-going Saki Township Road construction, as well as the location of the 72 Mobile Police Squadron base in Ago-Are, were some of the efforts to develop the zone as a treasure base of the state.
Commenting on the on-going OYSADA Complex, the governor said: “I have inspected the on-going project of OYSADA Headquarters that we brought here. Though they have made some progress, I am still not satisfied. They promised that it will be completed by 10th of December but they said there were challenges with evaluation and release of funds. Now, that is being resolved and I look forward to coming back here by the end of March. I will spend about 10 days; with the whole of government functionaries that will be here with me.”
The governor added that he has already signed an agreement that all the mineral resources in Oke Ogun should be mapped so that the state will be able to extract value for itself and the Oke Ogun region.
The governor equally called on the traditional rulers to continue to support his government, stating that the progress being experienced by the state is an indication of the fact that the traditional rulers and other leaders were doing what they are supposed to do.
He said: “Apart from the fact that I came to greet Kabiyesi and other paramount chiefs that are here seated, I pray that we shall live to see the coming year and shall be a fulfilling one for us.
“I really want to appreciate you for the support you are giving to the current administration in Oyo State. It is your government too. If a state is progressing, it means the rulers at the helm of affairs are practically doing what they are supposed to do. And 2020 in particular has been a very challenging one. We can see that all of us are wearing face masks and observing other guidelines because we are faced with pandemic and economic meltdown. So, it was really tasking. Of course, in our locality here, the issue of banditry is also another issue.
“For instance, Saki shares an international border and it is more of an international issue because we have bandits all the way from Mali that are trying to cross. Once they gain entrance into anywhere they can operate, they will stay there.
“When we inaugurated Amotekun, you gave us your support. When some bandits went to the bush at Kishi, we were able to flush them out with all the efforts of all of us here.
“So, we want to use this opportunity to say thank you to you all.”
Remarking, the Okere of Saki, appreciated the governor and his entourage, stating that the Makinde administration has done many things to make people happy, especially in Saki.
He said: “On Saki Township Road, we are gradually seeing light at the end of the tunnel. The speed at which the project is being done is commendable. Really speaking, in the Oke Ogun axis of the state, we have so many things to thank Governor Makinde for.
“Many of our people also asked us to thank you concerning the way you handled the LAUTECH divorce issue successfully. We have also heard that you are planning to make it a multi-campus institution. We want to beg you that we need two campuses here in Oke Ogun.
“If you have observed, our axis is the only zone that is backward in Oyo State, which is not supposed to be so. I am saying this because we are blessed with many mineral resources. We just want someone that can support us a little bit. And who will? It is actually the government.”
The meeting had in attendance the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; the chairman of the Oyo State Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola; Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Alhaji Siju Lawal.
Others were the Director-General of OYSADA, Dr. Debo Akande; the Director-General, Due Process, Ms. Tara Adefope; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Hon. Kunle Yusuff; full-time Commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Oyesina Oyedeji, among others.
As Christians across the globe celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from the message of Easter to strengthen national unity, renew their hope, and rise above the challenges facing the nation.
In a statement on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists, the lawmaker noted that Easter symbolises the triumph of life over death, hope over despair, and renewal over decay—virtues he described as urgently needed in today’s Nigeria.
He urged citizens to use the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the country’s journey and commit to a shared vision of progress and peace.
“Easter reminds us that no situation is beyond redemption. Just as Christ conquered death and rose again, so too can our nation overcome its present trials—if only we act with faith, courage, and a common purpose,” Oseni said.
Acknowledging the economic and security challenges facing the country, he stressed the importance of collective resilience and unity among citizens. The lawmaker noted that while efforts are being made to address these issues—with signs of improvement—it is essential for Nigerians to continue supporting the President Bola Tinubu-led administration in its drive for national recovery and progress.
“Our strength lies in our unity,” he said. “We must resist the temptation to be divided by ethnic, religious, or political differences. Easter calls us to a higher sense of responsibility—to forgive, to heal, and to build together.”
Oseni, who also chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots development, and national transformation through quality infrastructure and people-centered legislation. He promised to continue using his position to advocate for policies that improve the welfare of his constituents and all Nigerians.
The APC chieftain further urged Christians to go beyond the rituals of Easter and live out its message in their daily interactions. “This season should inspire us all to be better citizens, better neighbours, and better leaders in whatever space we occupy.”
The lawmaker concluded his message with prayers for peace, stability, and renewed hope across the country, saying, “May this Easter mark a turning point in our collective story as a nation. May Nigeria rise, like Christ, into a new dawn of greatness.”
The Federal Government has declared Friday, 18 April and Monday, 21 April 2025 as public holidays to mark Good Friday and Easter Monday celebrations across the country.
This was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
“Announcing this on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo extended heartfelt congratulations to Christians across the country on this joyous occasion,” the statement read.
The Minister emphasised the significance of Easter, urging Christians to reflect on the virtues of sacrifice, love, and selflessness exemplified by Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for the redemption of humanity.
Dr Tunji-Ojo also encouraged Nigerians to use the holiday period to offer prayers for peace, unity, and stability in the country. He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at driving national growth and development.
In his message, the Minister called on citizens to extend love and goodwill to their neighbours through acts of kindness and generosity, embodying the spirit of Easter.
He concluded by wishing Christians a blissful Easter celebration and extended warm holiday greetings to all Nigerians.
There was pandemonium on Tuesday at the Ibadan outlet of CBEX, a digital trading asset firm, as angry investors stormed the premises in protest, vandalising property and looting valuables.
The unrest, which occurred in the Oyo State capital, was triggered by reports that investors had been unable to access or withdraw funds from their accounts on the platform for several days. Matters escalated when many of them reportedly discovered that their investments had completely vanished.
The protest, initially peaceful, quickly degenerated into violence, resulting in looting and physical assaults on some staff members of the firm. Witnesses say the situation became uncontrollable as emotions flared and the aggrieved investors accused the company of operating a Ponzi scheme.
The affected investors were said to cut across various walks of life, including artisans, traders, and civil servants, all of whom had put their trust—and money—into the digital trading venture.
It took the intervention of security operatives to restore calm and disperse the rampaging crowd. Officers have since cordoned off the building and maintained a presence overnight to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
As of Wednesday morning, normalcy had returned to the area. Vehicular and pedestrian movement has resumed, with business activities gradually picking up.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but concerned stakeholders are calling for a thorough investigation into the operations of CBEX to protect future investors from similar occurrences.
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