The governor of Oyo State Engr. Seyi Makinde has approved the coronation and presentation of staff-of-office to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin.
The ceremony is scheduled to be held on Friday, July 12, 2024.
This is contained in a statement by the commissioner for information Prince dotun oyelade.
The commissioner said ”’Our people must learn to be patient and believe an administration that has not let them down in 5 years.”
Oyelade said that insinuations and mischievous innuendos have not derailed Governor Seyi Makinde from the path of justice and fairness.
He advised the people of Oyo State and Ibadan in particular to await the spectacle of the Coronation and presentation of the staff-of-office on July 12
To further improve education, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has disbursed the sum of N3.5billion educational support grant to 105 primary schools in rural areas across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Presenting dummy cheques to representatives of the beneficiary-schools at the Conference Room of the Secretary to the State Government, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the governor noted that in spite of challenges, the government has continued to rate education high and first in every of its policies.
The grant support is a World Bank Project under Better Education Service Delivery for All – Additional Funding (BESDA-AF), which the state is a beneficiary of; it is aimed at increased equitable access for out-of-school children and improvement of literacy in focus states.
It also seeks to strengthen accountability for results in basic education in Nigeria.
Speaking through the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, Governor Makinde explained that the grant is meant for renovation of primary schools with critical attention, saying that the renovation exercise will commence simultaneously in all the 105 schools.
While congratulating the schools benefiting from the educational support grant, he urged them to avoid doing shoddy jobs and ensure that all the projects are in accordance with the prescriptions, so that the pupils can benefit and appreciate government efforts in the education sector.
He said: “This is in furtherance of the record of Oyo State Government at ensuring that education comes on the front burner in the activities of the state government.
“A couple of months back, it was in this conference room that presentations were made by representatives of the World Bank and other critical stakeholders as to how to assist in improving the standard of education in the state.
“I recall that the major requirement was for the state government to put in its counterpart funding, which has been done.
“This is to let all of us know that despite various challenges the state government is facing, the current administration still puts education on the front burner. Education is taking almost 21 per cent of the state’s annual budget.
“Education comes first always. Without education, you and I cannot be here. So, I have to congratulate the stakeholders – TESCOM, the Ministry of Education, and the driver of the project, who is the S.A Education Intervention.
“A huge amount of money is being put into this project and I am saying this to the beneficiaries that you must put your eyes into what is being done in your various schools.
“The standard must be in accordance with prescriptions, so that our children will take maximum advantage of the facilities the government is putting in place.
“We are starting simultaneously and if we have a commencement period, there must be a conclusion period. So, we will walk the rope, start and put a timeline for completion.
Earlier,the Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Saliu Adelabu, explained that the project is a form of Educational Grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in collaboration with the World Bank and it involves three states in the country; Oyo, Adamawa and Katsina.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser, (Education Intervention), Oloye Suraj Abiodun Tiamiyu, said that the renovation of approved primary schools in the rural areas across the Senatorial Districts will be done within six weeks of commencement.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin as the 43rd Olubadan of lbadanland.
The governor gave the approval in a memo signed on June 14, 2024, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended.
According to a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, the approval is a culmination of a series of processes stipulated by the extant laws of the state regarding ascension to royal thrones.
The statement added that the governor congratulated the new Olubadan, praying that his tenure will birth greater developments in Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole.
Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin says the assembly will work with other arms of government to pass laws that will protect the rights of Sickle Cell patients and improve their living conditions.
Mr Ogundoyin made the promise while speaking at a sensitisation and empowerment programme organized by the Ogundoyin family to mark the 2024 sickle cell day in honour of their late father, an Ibarapa born philanthropist, Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin.
The Speaker, who said such legislation would help people living with Sickle Cell condition to live a productive and fulfilling life, hinted that the programme was also to honor the resilience of every individual who has fought against the disease.
Mr Ogundoyin explained that 70% of the world’s cases of the disease occur in Africa with Nigeria having the highest number of carriers worldwide, and stated the need for policies that would reduce the economic burden put on families by Sickle Cell patients
Also speaking, chairman on the occasion, the deputy governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal described late Adeseun Ogundoyin as a dogged business mogul, who lived an impactful life despite his condition.
Barrister Lawal advised the children to imbibe the courage and resilience exhibited by their late father.
One of the sickle cell patients at the event, Mr Peter Ajiboye appealed to governments at all levels and well-to-do individuals to support Sickle Cell foundations so as to help patients manage their health status.
Highlights of the event were five million naira donation by the Ogundoyin family to support sickle cell patients, presentation of over five hundred medical kits, and the unveiling of a memoir of late Adeseun Ogundoyin.
Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) and Executive Adviser on Agribusiness to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, Dr Debo Akande, has stated that a French firm, SEMMARIS-Rungis International Market, is set to support the establishment of an international wholesale agribusiness market in the state.
He stated this when a delegation of the firm, including its Head of International Projects, Timothée Witkowski and Consultant-Market Specialist, Steve Allen, paid a courtesy visit to the governor in Ibadan.
According to the OYSADA DG, the investors plan to complement the Makinde administration’s efforts in the agribusiness sector with the establishment of the market, which would be a major market for agribusiness and for farmers.
He added that the investors had, before the visit to the governor, gone round the state to see the infrastructure built by the governor in the last five years, the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub and major markets in the state.
Akande said: “What they plan to do is to support us in establishing the International Wholesale Agribusiness Market in Oyo State, most likely in Ibadan.
“This is to complement a lot of work the governor has been doing in agribusiness in the state. This will be a major market for agribusiness and for farmers as well. They have gone round to see most of the facilities that have been built by the governor in the past five years. They have been to lseyin-Moniya road, Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, Bodija Market, Akinyele Market and others to see what is currently on ground and what they can do to advance on that.
“What they have in France, which we are mirroring ourselves after, is a global market, the largest wholesale market globally and we have seen it. If you go there by 5 a.m, you won’t see anybody because most of the products in that place have been taken by trailers, moving to diverse places in Europe.
“So, we are anticipating that the growth of agribusiness and agriculture within our state would demand us to have that kind of a centralised system for the wholesale agricultural market. We are building and developing the foundation and when things grow as we are building agricultural industrial hubs in different locations including Fasola, Eruwa, Ijaye, this would be needed and would be required.”
The OYSADA DG added that the direct benefit of the wholesale market to the people of the state is that the state is becoming highly industrialised and also helping to develop a systematic approach to what farmers in the state would be producing.
“If a big company wants to come and buy two million tonnes of cassava or yam packed, where will they be getting them from? Currently, they source from different farms and villages, but they would not need to do that any longer because most of these things would be centralised in a place where the farmers can sell them.
“The farmers will have companies to sell to and these companies can now sell to big companies, which is the concept behind wholesale.
“If you have a large company that is interested in using cashew, use soya beans or process products as well, it knows the centralised place to come and pick in high volume. It is not now to go to different farms and villages to get 2 tonnes, 3 tonnes and what have you. And this means access to markets for our farmers. It means our farmers will now have access to sell their products at a good price.”
He maintained that apart from the infrastructure and facilities put in place by Governor Makinde, the state has improved security with the creation of the Oyo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun, while it has also been increasing its resources on security and will continue to do so.
Earlier, SEMMARIS-Rungis’ Head of International Projects, Witkowski, said Oyo State had great potential and that its central location and the efforts of Governor Makinde had made it a strategic location for the development of wholesale infrastructure for food supply in Nigeria.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has inaugurated the first solarized medical oxygen plant in Nigeria and level 2 newborn units, Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde also launched the Oyo state strategy for the scale-up of medical oxygen in health facilities.
Radio Nigeria correspondent reports that the projects were put in place by the Oyo State Government, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund UNICEF and some development partners.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Federal and State governments and development partners have ramped up investments to increase access to safe and efficient medical oxygen in the country.
The strategy for the Scale-up of Medical Oxygen is envisioned to ensure that all patients with hypoxaemia are properly diagnosed and treated with medical oxygen and that no patient dies from hypoxaemia, which is the low levels of oxygen in the blood.
Inaugurating the project, Governor Makinde said his administration would always key into projects that would improve the health of the citizenry.
While pointing our that provision of oxygen was an issue in the wake of Covid_19, Governor Makinde believed that the project would be beneficial to the people of the state.
Governor Makinde thanked the development partners for the choice of the state for the project.
The country representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Ms Chistian Munduate said the projects were shared to improve maternal and child health in Oyo state and Nigeria as whole.
Ms Munduate maintained that the plant is a beacon of innovation and resilience, with a view to saving lives and provide a model for similar initiatives across the country.
The Nigeria UNICEF representative added that the Level 2 Newborn Unit established at Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by trained healthcare professionals dedicated to providing specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns.
She said”his triple milestone represents a remarkable step forward in our shared commitment to improving maternal and child health in Oyo State and across Nigeria”.
“Firstly, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Oyo State for their unwavering support and collaboration. I also express deepest appreciation to our partners, IHS Nigeria, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Governments of Canada and Norway for this partnership. This is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together towards a common goal – ensuring the health and well-being of every child and mother in this state”.
“The installation of the solarized medical oxygen plant is a groundbreaking achievement. Oxygen is a critical life-saving intervention, particularly for newborns and children suffering from pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. By harnessing solar power, we ensure reliable and sustainable oxygen supply, even in times of limited electricity”.
“Today, we also launch the Oyo State Strategy for the Scale-Up of Medical Oxygen in Health Facilities. This strategy is a comprehensive roadmap designed to ensure that every health facility in the state is equipped with the necessary resources to provide medical oxygen. It outlines the steps for capacity building, infrastructure development, supply chain management, and sustainable financing mechanisms”.
“These facilities including the strategy are critical in our efforts to improve health outcomes and is aligned with UNICEF’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.
“The significance of these developments cannot be overstated. According to recent data, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of neonatal mortality globally. Investments in healthcare infrastructure and strategic planning, like the facilities being commissioned today, are crucial in reversing this trend”.
In a message, the representative of Immigration Health Surcharge,Canada AYOBAMI ADISA said the oxygen plant is a symbol of solidarity, resilience, and hoped that,with collaboration,the world would overcome its challenges.
“In these challenging times, we have all witnessed the critical importance of raising access to healthcare infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for reliable medical oxygen supply, a lifeline for countless patients battling respiratory ailments such as pneumonia, hypoxemia disorders in newborn babies and pregnant women, as well as support for emergency cases such as during surgeries and in obstetric care and anesthesia”.
Other development partners are IHS Towers, the Governments of Norway and Canada and Bills & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Oyo state government has rolled out a mega empowerment programme to train and equip 500 youths with basic entrepreneurship and business management skills across 33 local government areas in the state.
The commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Miss Wasilat Adegoke announced this during a press conference at the Governor’s office, Ibadan.
She stressed that beyond development of sporting activities, other aspects of economic development of youths for self-reliance has always been prioritized by the current administration.
Miss Adegoke also explained that the pilot scheme would target young graduates from tertiary institutions with a starter pack provided for them by the state government upon completion of the programme, noting that a link would be provided for them to apply online.
A Director of Youths Development, at the ministry of Youths and Sports, Mrs Kudirat Mustapha disclosed that 15 beneficiaries would be selected in each of the local government areas of the state through a transparent, credible process for the programme.
An implementing partner for the programme, Dr. Jasper Ezenwaka assured that their firm would provide technical support cutting across financial and business sustenance skills, skills to boost their employability as well as leadership and mentorship tutelage amongst others
Parents and Guardians have been advised to give more attention to their Children and Wards, for transparency and expression of minds between the two parties.
The District Superintendent, Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Ori Oke Aanu Ojoo Ibadan, Oyo State, Pastor Isaiah O. Alade gave the advice while speaking with Radio Nigeria, Ibadan on this year’s Children’s Day Celebration.
Pastor Alade said, Children are God’s Heritage, committed to the hands of their parents who needed to support and teach them in the way of the Lord for them to be useful to the family and the society at large.
The cleric who condemned the act of parents not taking patience to listen to their children while willing to discuss issues bothering them, said, such had made some children to take wrong steps in the journey of life.
He called on the children to obey their parents and draw closer to God who is the always ready to show them Mercy at all times.
Pastor Alade, also enjoined Government to prioritize the welfare and rights of Nigerian Children by protecting them against abuse, trafficking, sexual molestation and child labour.
He prayed that God’s knowledge, wisdom and understanding will continue to be on the Children as they marked this year’s Day.
About one million girls between the ages of nine and fourteen will be vaccinated against the Human Papiloma Virus, HPV next week Monday Children’s Day in Oyo State.
The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Muideen Olatunji, made this known while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Ibadan.
Dr Olatunji explained that one dose of HPV Vaccine protects against Cervical Cancer noted that sexually active school age girls needed to verify their HPV Status before taking the Vaccine.
He pointed out that the vaccine is free for every eligible young girls called on parents and guardians to give their consent to enable them benefit from the exercise.
Dr Olatunji said the exercise will last for six days in schools, house to house and community .
He emphasized that the HPV Vaccine will be incorporated into the routine immunization schedule at the primary healthcare centres across the state to make it available to girls who have not reach the age of nine.
The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board added that out-of-school girls between age 9 to 14 will also be vaccinated, enjoined people to support the programme.
Oyo State is among the second phase to roll out HPV Vaccine.
Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, has appealed to the 33 Local Government Chairmen in the state to look into ways of collaborating with the board to enhance the basic-education sector.
Congratulating the new Chairmen, who were sworn-in on Friday, Dr Adeniran said a collaboration would promote efficient and effective learning in public primary schools in the State.
Dr. Adeniran stated that his personal discussion with most of them showed that there is hope to further boost the basic education sector in Oyo State.
The SUBEB boss described the Local Government Chairmen as vital in influencing their constituents to embrace government policies and programmes in the education sector.
He added that swearing-in of the Chairmen, who are key stakeholders, is very timely, as the Board will ensure seamless partnership in all Local government areas.
Dr. Adeniran attributed their success in the last poll, to the good record of Governor Seyi Makinde, which proceeded the polls.
He, therefore, urged them to take a cue from the Governor and the ruling party in the State, by enacting policies that will enhance developnent at the grassroots.
Adeniran said, “It is a sign of good things to come. I congratulate the newly sworn-in Chairmen, and I appeal for a better collaboration with all of them.”
“Your victories were made possible by the good leadership in the State and the unending development, that the masses have fallen in love with. I urge you to take a cue from Mr. Governor and leave lasting legacies in your various LGAs.”
Recall that candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the chairmanship position in all the 33 Local Government Areas in the council election held last month in Oyo State.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to deploy more Police personnel to the state for effective policing.
Governor Makinde made the appeal while hosting the National President of Police Wives’ Association, POWA and wife of Inspector General of Police, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun and her team at the government House.
The governor, who spoke through the Deputy Governor, Mr Bayo Lawal, said the state faced a major challenge of inadequate police manpower as a result of its huge land mass.
He lamented that the state which usually did not have the problem of banditry and kidnapping, was gradually witnessing it as a result of illegal mining activities.
“As the usual saying, whatever you want to receive from a husband cleverly go through the wife”
“So we want to go through you as the wife of the IGP and the president of POWA, help us impress it on IGP that we need more hands to be able to cover the state for adequate security,”
The governor commended the Police Command in the state for protection of lives and property and ensuring peaceful atmosphere in the state.
He pledged the continued support of the state government to all security agencies at ensuring that security architecture was solid.
While responding on the purpose of the visit of POWA President which was on agriculture, Governor Makinde said the state was ready to support and collaborate with the association.
“If the state and the country in general was able to feed herself poverty and criminality would be significantly reduced to the barest minimum.”
Earlier, the POWA President, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun said the purpose of her working visit to the state was to enhance food, nutrition and a secured Nigeria through UNESCO initiative on Young Women in Agriculture, YWA.
Mrs Egbetokun said the association was committed to empowering women and wives of men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force as well as fostering innovation.
“We aim to collaborate with the state to nominate women for agriculture programmes in the United States at no cost to the state government”
“Together we can build a future where our community thrive for sustainable agriculture and food security” the POWA President.
Mrs Egbetokun and her team later visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved the request of Governor Seyi Makinde to access N10billion loan facility to provide counterpart funding for World Bank Assisted projects UBEC-SUBEB matching grant.
The approval was sequel to a letter of request sent to the Oyo State House of Assembly by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The letter read by the Speaker, Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin indicated that the State counterpart funding was required to facilitate the release of donor funds to Oyo State
According to the letter, World Bank Assisted Projects are meant to complement the drive by the Oyo State Government to improve the welfare of the citizens of the State.
The facility which is to be secured from Fidelity Bank is repayable for a period of 30months.
In their deliberations, some of the lawmakers who spoke on the request expressed concern on the state of the economy across the country which has made life virtually unbearable for citizens.
They therefore appealed to Governor Makinde to continue to give priority to projects and programmes that will enhance the living standards of the people.
Oyo state government has opened the first phase of the Olodo bridge for motorists in fulfillment of it’s promise to open the bridge for vehicular movement before May 22, 2024 to ease the burden of road users in the area.
Declaring the bridge open, the state’s Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Professor Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, said the opening of the bridge for motorists demonstrated Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s commitment to the providing dividend of democracy to the citizens.irrespective of their political or religious affiliations.eL
He said the economic importance of this 35.6km stretch road which links Oyo State to Osun State cannot be overemphasized noting that the successful completion of the first half of the bridge would enhance ease movement of people, vehicles, goods and services and also serves as a link connecting Osun State.
Said he”The major features of the bridge being opened today among other works are pilling works, construction of central piers, precast beams and slab, return/retaining wall, deck, parapet wall, approach slab and median. The pavement at the approaches of the bridge is made up of 200mm thick lateritic sub-base, 200mm thick stone base, 50mm asphaltic binder course and 40mm asphaltic concrete wearing course. The surfacing is completed with road lane marking”
“The heavy rainfall of July 4th, 2023 in which Egberi river overflew its banks at Olodo area due to the inadequacy of the existing 3.0m x 3.0m single box culvertrendered the road impassable. The anguish and economic losses that the state and her citizenry incurred in the wake of the flooding event were better imagined than experienced”.
“To God be the glory for the gift of a large hearted and forward looking Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE for the immediate award of a 2-20m span bridge across the Egberi river to relief the existing 3m x 3m box culvert. The bridge is also being handled by M/S Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited. The Contractor had been up and doing since the flooding incident of July, 2023 and had completed a wing of the dual carriageway bridge which we have gathered here to open today”.
Some of the residents of the area commended Engineer Seyi Makinde led government for bringing succour to the communities.
It would be called that the old Olodo Bridge was destroyed by rain on July 23, 2023, thereby causing hardship to the residents and motorists living in the area
Oyo State Government has approved the recruitment of 7000 teachers and 100 care givers in special schools into the primary school teaching service in the state.
The Chairman State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Adeniran disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the SUBEB’s headquarters, Agodi, Ibadan.
Dr Adeniran said the recruitment is in fulfillment of Governor Makinde’s electoral promise and response to the yearnings of the people and to cater for inadequate primary school teachers in the state.
The SUBEB boss while assuring that the exercise would be merit based warned the unsuspecting applicants to be wary of scammers saying government would not engage anyone to serve as agents in the rerecruitment process.
Dr Adeniran noted that the people would carried along in all the stages of the exercise however emphasized that the recruitment would be localised thereby urging the applicants to claim their respective council areas as they would required to work in their local governments.
He equally added that special consideration would be given to people with disabilities in the employment of the new teachers.
Said he”In fulfilment of his electoral promise and the yearnings of the people of Oyo State, occasioned by the gap of Teachers in our public primary schools, Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the recruitment of 7,000 teachers in our public primary schools. In addition, he also approved the recruitment of 100 care givers in our special schools”, he said.
“The stages to follow to have a free, fair, credible exercise will emanate from this Board, signed by me”, Adeniran said.
“No Staff member has been empowered to collect money from applicants”, he reiterated.
“We thank His Excellency for living up to his words. He fulfilled his promise and may God give him divine wisdom to navigate the affairs of the State.”
Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has hailed the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti for providing leadership to the Yoruba nation over the years.
Governor Makinde who felicitated Pa Fasoranti on the occasion of his 98th birthday, maintained that the nonagenarian has contributed immensely to the growth and progress of the Yoruba ethnic group and Nigeria as a whole.
He congratulated the Afenifere leader, praying to God to grant him more years and good health as he continues to lead his people.
Makinde said: “I congratulate the Afenifere leader and our Baba, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on the occasion of his 98th birthday.
“Pa Fasoranti has, over the past years, provided positive leadership to the Yoruba nation and has contributed immensely to the growth and progress of the Yoruba ethnic group and the country.
“His calm disposition to issues of national interest and his patriotism have been great hallmarks that leaders must emulate. “I celebrate Baba and I pray to God to give him good health as he continues to lead his people.”
Oyo State Government and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) have signed an agreement to develop a gas supply and distribution infrastructure that will deliver gas to industrial and commercial users in the state.
SNG will build and operate the gas distribution network, which will serve customers across Oyo State, for 20 years.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, described the project as “a catalyst for development in the state.”
He said: “This project fits into our plan to drive innovation and industrialisation in Oyo State and we’re ready to partner with more companies and other organisations to enhance the delivery of relevant projects.”
Managing Director SNG, Ralph Gbobo, said the agreement was “a significant milestone for SNG and Oyo State to boost economic activities in Nigeria by supplying industries and manufacturers with natural gas, a more reliable, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly source of energy.”
He explained: “The gas distribution project will be a game-changer in the industrialization drive of the Oyo State Government and help boost internally generated revenue and result in more job opportunities.
“For SNG the project is a milestone in our effort to continue growing the energy supply to businesses in Nigeria in line with Nigeria’s ambition to drive progress on the back of natural gas availability across Nigeria under the Decade of Gas initiative.”
The project will start with the construction of gas distribution infrastructure along 15km of pipeline route and will grow to deliver up to 60 million standard cubic feet of gas per day across the state. The first gas is expected Q4, 2025.
Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd and Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor said: “This event points to the value of partnership as Shell continues to power progress in Nigeria through more and cleaner energy solutions for commercial and industrial customers. Building on our presence in the country since the 1960s and the wide marketing and trading reach of Shell Energy, we are excited about developing gas distribution solutions and delivering competitive and reliable energy for power generation and industrial use across Nigeria.”
Voters’ turnout in the ongoing council election in Ibarapa East Local Government is low as at the time of filling this report.
Our team of correspondents monitoring the exercise report that election is peaceful while voting commenced at about half past eight in the morning in Ward 6, Polling Units 1,2,3,4 Eruwa and Ward 6, Polling units 10,11,13, Okolo village.
Speaking shortly after voting, Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Miss Wasilat Adegoke urged electorate in the council to come out en-mass to exercise their franchise.
Also speaking, former House of Reps Member, who represnted Ido Ibarapa Federal Constituency in the 9th Assembly, Mr Yemi Taiwo commended the peaceful conduct of electorate and advocated improved awareness on participation in local government election in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, security agencies were at strategic locations to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
In Oyo Town, voting exercise had not commenced in some Polling units in Ward 10 Oyo East Local Government., Oyo.
When Radio Nigeria correspondents got to Unit 7 of the Ward, few voters were seen casting their votes While the officials from OYSIEC said, they were still waiting for Result Sheets from the Supervisor.
As at the time of filing this report, only few wards have completed the sorting of Election materials while some were yet to take off from the collation centres in Oyo West, Oyo East and Atiba Local Government Areas.
The exercise which is slated to commence at 8 O’clock in the morning has not begun due to late arrival of election materials and logistics as voters are waiting at various Units.
In a Related Development, Most polling units in Ibadan Metropolis have not commenced accreditation and voting as Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, officials are yet to arrive.
Radio Nigeria correspondents monitoring proceedings around Dugbe, Mokola, Monatan observed that OYSIEC officials are yet to arrive the polling units.
Voting has however commenced in Ibadan Northeast, ward 11, unit one, the polling unit of Governor Seyi Makinde who was yet to arrive to cast his vote.
Also voting was also ongoing at ward 11 Unit 16 and 17, and some other parts of Ibadan Northeast Local Government, Iwo road
Voters were also still waiting for OYSIEC officials at ward 8, unit 36 and 49 Akinyele Local Government and at ward 1 unit 1, Lagelu Local Government
Meanwhile, security operatives were stationed in all the polling units that have commenced accreditation and voting.
Radio Nigeria observed that vehicular movement were seen on major roads while commercial activities was ongoing in most areas of the metropolis in spite of the restriction declared from 6am to 4pm.
Oyo State Government has commenced the fourth phase of the distribution of agricultural inputs to 2,537 farmers across the state with the distribution of cassava stems, hybrid maize seedlings, herbicides and nap-sack sprayers.
While flagging off the exercise at Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, who also doubles as the Chairman, SAfER Food Security Sub-Committee, hinted that the distribution of inputs to farmers was also going on simultaneously at Igboora, Ibarapa Central Local Government and Ayete in Ibarapa North Local Government.
He noted that the exercise was to ensure that Oyo State has abundant food supply for the people of the state and to reduce prices of foodstuffs so as to cushion the effect of economic hardship on residents of the state.
He said: “Today, we are commencing the fourth phase of Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), food security sub-sector.
“You know that, the SAfER programme has different sub-sectors, we have the food palliatives that have been distributed, we have the one on transportation, we have the one on health and this one is on food security”.
He continued: “So what we are doing today is distribution of inputs to farmers, we are distributing cassava stems, special maize seeds that can germinate faster, we are also giving out nap-sack sprayers to farmers across Oyo State, and in addition to that, we are also giving them herbicides to protect their crops against invasion of insects and all that.
“So, in this fourth phase, not less than 2,537 farmers will benefit. You will recall that, before now, there had been three phases of food security sub-sector interventions. We have given out free maize to poultry farmers, we have given out free feeds to fish farmers, we are still distributing feeds, PKC and disinfectant to piggery farmers and this is the fourth phase.”
He assured farmers that the state government through SAfER programme would in a few days commence free vaccination for livestock and equally distribute feeds to support livestock farmers, adding that, subsidy on use of tractors to cultivate their farms would commence in two weeks.
Olaleye said: “By next week, free vaccination of cattle and distribution of feeds to sheep and goat farmers will also commence across Oyo State. In the next ten days as well, subsidy on the use of tractors will commence, so if you cultivate five acres, the government will pay for two and a half acres, if you cultivate ten hectares, the government will pay for five acres for you.
“You will recall that the governor has distributed, through different finance houses, N1billion loan to farmers, more than three thousand farmers benefited from that. So, the whole essence is to ensure there Oyo State has abundant and sufficient food supply to bring down the prices of foodstuffs.”
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Rafiu Saheed , thanked the state government for the farm inputs support, saying that the materials would have significant effects on their farms and produce.
He, therefore, urged other beneficiaries not to sell the farm inputs but to make judicious use of them to complement the efforts of the government.
It would recalled be that N1billion loan was disbursed to farmers through accredited microfinance banks, while thousands of poultry, fishery and piggery farmers had also benefited in the first, second and third phases of the inputs distribution exercise to farmers across the state.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde has approved the declaration of Friday, April 26, 2024, as a half working day for all public and civil servants in the state.
This is in connection with the local government election slated for Saturday, April 28, 2024.
A circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, stated that government offices are to close by 12 noon while personnel covering essential services are expected to remain at their duty posts.
The state government, in the circular, enjoined all public and civil servants to go out and exercise their civic rights on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the regularisation and integration of 129 floating staff members of the Defunct Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP) into the mainstream of the state civil service.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade disclosed this at a media briefing after the Executive Council Meeting held at the Governor’s office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The commissioner for information said the reabsorbed 129 staff would also enjoy promotions and other entitlements for civil servants.
Also,the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musbau Babatunde said the council approved over ₦691 million to be invested in Wema Bank Right Issuance Program.
He said the investment would help the state government to prepare and secure the financial future of the state.
Professor Babatunde equally disclosed that the council has approved the sum of ₦10billion facility to provide counterpart funding for World Bank assisted projects in the state to access some of the world bank programs which are focused on the socioeconomic wellbeing of residents of the state.
On his part, the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Daud Sangodoyin said the state executive council has approved the sum of ₦3.5billion naira for the clearing of the 36.7km northeast segment of Senator Rashidi Ladoja Ibadan circular road.
Professor Sangodoyin explained that the project which runs from Badeku axis to Moniya axis includes 150metres width bush clearing through the 36.7km length, removal of topsoil, construction of selected culverts and limited provision of earthworks among others.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde says he will not support the candidature of Peoples Democratic Party member whose age is above 50 and 52 years in the 2027 general elections.
He stated this at the Adebo Ogundoyin legislative summit with the theme: Roles of Quality Legislation in Nation Building held at the International Conference Centre, U. I, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde, while emphasizing the roles of youths in nation building, posited that Nigeria needed to catch the nation’s youths young to contribute their quota to the development of the state.
He called on the youths to dream better and be interested in the governance of the nation.
He said “I am here this afternoon the encourage the youths. If you go back to the history of Nigeria, after independence in 1960, in 1967, the person that became the maximum ruler was either 29 or 32 years of age, General Gowon. After him, during the Second Republic, former President Obasanjo retired as a general at the age of 39.
“We should dream big. People have ruled this country at a very tender age. So, for us, don’t think at 29 or 30, you are too young to rule ad I am glad because this is almost like catching them early. You have the students here and in about three years, some of you will be out there to move on. If I were you, I won’t have to start looking for work but start doing my own thing at a very early age of 24 or 25. With the kind of energy you still have, you can pull down the kingdom of Satan.
“For the Honorable Speaker himself, the opportunity came in 2018 to replace a former Speaker from his Constituency and, at that particular time, he came, I looked at him and felt he was a spoilt chid. That was why I did not support him initially. But, along the line, he became a member of the House of Assmebly.
“From the data available to us, Oyo State people will give us the opportunity because they wanted to try something totally different. We were coming from a background of no-godfather and the people wanted a change. I told him that was their mood and he agreed with money. So, I predicted that he would win. The election came and turned out to be what we predicted and he became the Speaker. I can see that Osun State is following our footstep. Our people just want us to deliver for them.
“I am glad that with Debo’s trajectory and this summit, we are moving towards the trajectory where young leaders are now thinking in terms of bridging the leadership vacuum in our country.
“And also for the students, coming around, seeing young people they can relate with in a position if authority, I think that is enough motivation for them already. It is enough to let them know that they can be responsible. For the students in oyo State, I have signed all the documents that will allow your busary to paid. So, let us just keep pushing so as to ensure that they release the money and you have it physically or I your bank account.
“The examples I gave about our leaders who led this country as Generals at the age of 29, they are still around up until this moment. But what we need to do is part of what the Honorable Speaker is doing with this type of Summit; bring leaders, look at topical issues and see how we can stimulate ad produce the next step of leaders.
“So, I am eagerly looking out for the outcome of the Summit and supporting the entrenchment of this initiative so that Nigeria can be better in terms of leadership. If you go to advanced countries, they have a culture of how leaders evolve.
“For us here, we have seen the common situation where ‘who is your father’ was the order of the day but we have been able to break that in Oyo State. My father was a nobody and the Oyo Stye people still gave me the opportunity to lead.
“This may be an happenstance but how can we become deliberate in choosing leaders? It is by exposure. Now, the leaders are being exposed and talking to themselves. I made a promise and aired it on radio last December where I said that when I am leaving in 2027, God sparing my life, I will not support anybody that is above 50 – 52 years of age. I know people will fight me because they are being excluded right now.
“We may not be able to prepare the future for the youths but we can prepare the youths for the future. So, please, don’t see this event as an opportunity to look at the issue of leadership in this country. And, in me, Seyi Makinde, the youths have an ally and we will prepare the leaders of the next generation amongst the youths.
“We have tried it in Oyo State and it stabilized the House of Assembly and the government as a whole. So, take proper advantage of this kind of gathering and ge prepared for leadership.”
As part of sustained measures towards boosting the immune system of children for healthy growth, a second round of polio vaccination exercise tagged: “Outbreak Response Two” has been flagged off in Oyo State.
The Outbreak Response Two targeting children from zero to five years old is a collaborative project between the Oyo State government, the World Health Organization, WHO, the United Nations Children’s Education Fund, UNICEF and other partners.
Performing the official flag-off ceremony at the Oke Apon Health Care Centre, Total Garden, Ibadan, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, OYSPHCB, Dr Muideen Olatunji said polio melytis is a deadly ailment posing an impediment to the healthy growth of children as well as terminating the life of children.
The Executive Secretary who was represented by the Director, Disease Control and Immunization of the Primary Health Care Board, Dr Johnson Osoku said it is important for mothers to present their children for the immunizations to protect them against diseases.
Dr Olatunji who said the exercise is more important than palliatives being clamoured for by the mothers advised them to shun any misconceptions from individuals and report noticeable adverse reactions and complications to the primary health centres
The OYSPHCB executive secretary who claimed that there was no outbreak of polio in Oyo State however said traces of the disease were noticed from samples collected from dump sites.
While emphasising the need for timely presentation of children for immunization, Dr Olatunji said early vaccination of children would give children the required immunity against diseases.
Oyo State coordinator of WHO, Dr Phillip Zorto and representatives of UNICEF Mr Samuel Olatunji stressed the need for mothers to ensure proper positioning of children for breastfeeding and presentation of the children for the vaccination.
Earlier, the Public Health Coordinator, Ibadan North Local government, Mrs Olatunbosun Aderoju who said the first round of the exercise was carried out in early March this year noted that the current exercise would last between today 20th of April and Monday 23rd April.
Mrs Aderoju urged mothers to maintain proper hygiene and cooperate with the vaccination team who she said would be moving from house to house to administer the drugs on children.
Some of the nursing mothers who were present lauded the programme describing it as timely and worthwhile.
Despite the directive of JAMB for Parents to stay away from CBT centers, many parents still throng the Examination venues in support of their children and wards sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME which commenced Nationwide today.
Radio Nigeria correspondents who monitored the exercise in Ibadan Oyo State, report that parents were seen waiting patiently for their children writing the Examination.
Some of the parents who spoke with Radio Nigeria said it was practically impossible to allow their children to go to the CBT Centers alone for the Examination.
Two parents Mrs Olufunke Owofadeju and Mr Tosin Bakare noted that many of the Candidates were below the age of accountability and as such could not be left alone “Why i followed my daughter is that we come long distance. We are from Oyo and i cannot allow her alone to come from Oyo.Infact, in the morning the CBT officials addressed us that we should stay away.”
Similarly, Mrs Oluwadamilola Ayinde said, “I have child and we also come from long distance.That is the reason i followed him here and he cannot go back home without may be , i followed him back.All those people invigilating them did not allow us to stay here at all “.
Speaking on the age of students writing the examination, one if the parents said’ 17 years was better because 15,16, i think the age is still small for them.My child is 17 years
Mr. Tosin Bakare who is a business man said ” The directive of JAMB to parents not to be at the venue of the test, I don’t think they thought it through.There are some children that are not of that age that you can leave them alone. it behoves on parents to guide their children.Where i will agree with JAMB is that some unruly parents tend to take such opportunity to disrupt the examination.They should be handled appropriately”. On the age of students, the opinion of Mr Bakare is that, “The legal age for the independence of a child is 18 ,in some countries 21.So, when a child is still 17, he is not up to.that age of full responsibility.But 17 to.me is still ok”.
Some of the candidates said the examination was hitch free.
Radio Nigeria however observed that the exercise was very orderly.
The 2024 UTME is holding across the Nation in over 700 CBT centers.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has signed into law an Executive Bill for the establishment of the rule of law enforcement authority for speedy justice dispensation in the state.
Signing the bill into law in the board room of the Governor’s office, the governor explained that the agency was necessary to help enforce many state laws ranging from environmental, traffic, indiscriminate dump of refuse and street trading laws amongst others.
He assured residents that his administration meant well for the state with the establishment of the agency, stressing that the rule of law must be duly maintained to thoroughly sanitize the environment, expand the economy and move the people from poverty to prosperity.
Governor Makinde equally noted that there would be mobile courts at every corridor in the state and anyone apprehended violating any of the state’s laws would be swiftly arraigned and duly prosecuted.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo says there are no issues with the Olubadan traditional stool ascension as against the controversy trailing the revered seat of the Olubadan following the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun.
He stated this while speaking with newsmen after hosting the delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal who paid homage to the governor for Eid-Fitr.
Governor Makinde urged those spreading unfounded rumour to desist pointing out that the Olubadan in council is yet to send the government an official letter on its decision on who is to ascend the throne.
The governor assured that the government would make the best decision in the interest of Ibadan land and Oyo State at large when the Ibadan-in-Council finally made the nomination
On the forthcoming local government election in the state, Governor Makinde, while stating that the poll was not a do-or-die affair, enjoined the PDP candidates to intensify the campaign for the election victory in the April 27th poll.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bayo Lawal appreciated the governor for his love for the Muslim community in the state since his assumption of office in 2019.
