The Southern Governors’ Forum has commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State over the stampede at a funfair party held at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan which claimed the lives of 35 children.
The chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum and the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun paid a visit to Governor Seyi Makinde at the Agodi, Secretariat, Ibadan to sympathise with him.
While speaking on behalf of the forum, he described the incident as very unfortunate, praying God to give the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Governor Abiodun therefore enjoined event planners and charity organizations to always work with the government while planning charity gestures for proper planning with a view to preventing the reoccurrence of such incidents.
Responding, Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde appreciated Governor Abiodun for the visit.
Governor Makinde, however, noted that his administration is ready to partner with Ogun State in areas of interest to bring more dividends of democracy to the people and residents of both states.
Fact-checking will not only ensure the credibility of information but also sustain public trust in journalists.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde stated this at the opening ceremony of 2024 Press week of Nigeria Union Of Journalists, NUJ Oyo State Council held at Dapo Aderogba Hall, Press Center Iyaganku Ibadan.
Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal said journalists needed to interrogate issues, most especially the ones affecting people before they are transmitted to the public.
Governor Makinde, citing the lingering issues in the ongoing local government autonomy noted that media professionals as the Fourth Estate of the realm should be alive to their responsibilities by being accountable and transparent.
Chairman of the occasion, who is also former Nigerian Ambassador to Philippines and Cambodia, Ambassador Yemi Faronbi called for true federalism to give room for adequate local government autonomy in the country.
Ambassador Faronbi applauded Governor Makinde for his leadership style and commitment to the welfare of citizens in the state.
In a remark, former Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu emphasized the importance of true federalism for solid local government autonomy in Nigeria.
Senator Sunmonu, who said during her tenure as Speaker, she pioneered the process towards the autonomy of local government and the state House of Assembly, affirmed that the country would achieve the desired local government autonomy when relevant sections of the 1999 constitution are amended.
In a goodwill message, Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaiman Olanrewaju stressed the need for journalists to be constructive in their criticism.
Earlier in an address of welcome, Oyo State NUJ chairman, Chief Ademola Babalola congratulated members of the union for this year’s Press Week, urging them to always abide by the ethics of the profession.
Chief Babalola also expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for his support to NUJ since his inception as Governor of Oyo State.
The event featured presentation of awards to Governor Seyi Makinde who is the Grand Patron of the union, Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal, Senator Monsurat Sunmunu and Amofin Beulah Adeoye.
Other activities included cultural display and goodwill messages.
Oyo State governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, has condoled with the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, on the demise of his mother-in-law, Hajiya Maryam Albishir.
Governor Makinde in a statement urged the Vice-President to take heart, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the late Hajiya Albishir.
He said: “I condole with the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, on the death of Hajiya Maryam Albishir.
“While the death of loved ones always brings pain to the heart, we can only accept the will of God and pray for the fortitude to bear the loss occasioned by the demise.
“It is my prayer that Allah SWT will grant her Aljana Firdausi and console the family she left behind.”
