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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.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, will on Sunday, April 26, formally declare his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, is expected to unveil his senatorial bid at the Recreation Club, Ibadan, by 10 a.m.
A statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, said all arrangements have been concluded for the declaration, which will formally signal the lawmaker’s entry into the Oyo South senatorial race ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement added that the event is expected to attract political leaders, including party chieftains, state and senatorial executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stakeholders, supporters, and members of the public across the senatorial district.
It further noted that adequate security and traffic management arrangements have been put in place to ensure a smooth and orderly event.
Oseni, who currently chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), is positioning for a broader legislative role in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
The statement described the development as a significant moment in Oyo State’s political landscape.
Politics
2027: Oyo Reps Hopeful, Socrates Rallies APC Unity to Reclaim Power, Drums Support for Tinubu
A House of Representatives aspirant for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Monsuru Akintunde Adeyemo, on Friday urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that disunity could undermine the party’s chances of returning to power.
Adeyemo, popularly known as Socrates, made the call in a statement, where he also drummed support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Vice Chairman of Aare Latosa Local Council Development Area stressed that cohesion among party leaders and stakeholders remained critical to building a formidable opposition in the state.
He commended party chieftains, including Moses Alake-Adeyemo, for their roles in repositioning the party for future electoral success.
“The task before us requires unwavering commitment and unity of purpose. A divided house cannot stand. If we are determined to reclaim Oyo State in 2027, we must close ranks and work together,” he said.
Adeyemo also criticised the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, alleging that residents were experiencing the effects of what he described as governance failures.
“With the current realities in Oyo State, it is evident that the only credible alternative in 2027 is the APC. I commend our leaders for rebuilding the party and urge members to remain steadfast, as victory lies in our collective resolve,” he added.
The aspirant further described Tinubu’s leadership as pivotal to Nigeria’s recovery and long-term development, urging Nigerians to sustain their support for the President.
Adeyemo, who is also the Oyo State Coordinator of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, called on party loyalists to intensify grassroots mobilisation, deepen engagement across communities, and work collectively towards ensuring victory for the APC in Oyo State in 2027.
…cites NELFUND, LG autonomy, rising allocations, state police, electricity reforms
A member of the House of Representatives from Oyo State, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has restated that the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains his “ultimate political project” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said his position was informed by what he described as “verifiable and far-reaching reforms” introduced by the Tinubu-led administration across key sectors.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is my ultimate political project. I am committed to mobilising all available structures and support across all strata of our society to ensure his re-election in 2027,” the lawmaker said.
Oseni highlighted major policy milestones, including the signing of the Electricity Act, which decentralises the power sector and empowers states and private investors to generate and distribute electricity.
He also referenced the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that the scheme provides interest-free loans to students in tertiary institutions, and described it as a critical intervention in expanding access to higher education.
According to him, the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market have significantly boosted government revenue and improved fiscal transparency.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain added that one of the most impactful outcomes of these reforms is the increase in allocations to states and local governments, which, he said, has enhanced their capacity to execute projects and meet obligations to workers.
Oseni further pointed to the push for local government financial autonomy, following recent judicial pronouncements and policy backing by the Federal Government, noting that it would strengthen grassroots governance and service delivery.
He also cited ongoing national conversations and policy steps towards the establishment of state police as part of broader security sector reforms aimed at addressing localised security challenges.
On infrastructure, Oseni said the administration had prioritised road construction and rehabilitation across the country, as well as railway development, with increased intervention through relevant agencies to improve connectivity and support economic growth.
He noted improvements in key economic indicators, including revenue generation and efforts to stabilise the macroeconomic environment, adding that reforms in the oil and gas sector are gradually boosting investor confidence and local capacity.
Oseni, however, acknowledged that there might be challenges, explaining that “While all may not be perfect at the moment, tangible results and key performance indicators clearly show that hope is rising and indeed being renewed. The foundation being laid today will yield greater benefits in the coming years,” he said.
He stressed that continuity in President Tinubu’s leadership was essential to consolidate ongoing reforms and deliver long-term national development.
“This is not the time for disunity or distractions. We must close ranks, deepen grassroots mobilisation, and work collectively to deliver victory for our party and President Tinubu,” Oseni submitted.
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