Makinde: We’re Determined to Finish Strong

•Approves reconstruction of 23km Okaka-Igbojaye-KAP village road

KemiOlaitanin Ibadan

Oyo State Governor, ‘SeyiMakinde, yesterday approved the reconstruction of the 23-kilometre stretch of road linking Okaka to Igbojaye and KunleAfolayan Productions Film Village in Komu, all in Itesiwaju local government area of the State.

This is just as the Governor expressed the commitment of his administration to finish strong.

The approval for the reconstruction of the road came on the heels of the governor’s commitment in April 2025 during the unveiling of the Film Village, as he expressed his administration’s readiness to enhance rural infrastructure and promoting culture and tourism in the state.

Makinde, while disclosing the approval at the Hijrah 1447 luncheon organised by the state government and held at the Presidential Lodge, Secretariat, Ibadan, stated his administration’s determination to finish on a strong note by delivering landmark projects and achieving its vision of sustainable development for the state.

He called on residents of the state to intensify efforts in praying for the government, supporting it and giving constructive criticisms and credible advice towards ensuring that the last 22 months of the administration are as eventful as the past six years and two months.

According to the Governor, the support, advice, and prayers of Oyo State residents have, over the years, helped his administration to achieve unprecedented developments, which have also made the state a model in terms of peace, security, and economic prosperity.

While noting that his government was determined not to leave uncompleted projects, Makinde stated that the government had delivered on most of its promises under Omituntun 2.0 and that residents of the state should continue to remind the government about its promises.

He said, “Over these years, we have listened to different sermons to mark Hijrah, but there are certain things that are constant.

“One of them is the fact that we are not just celebrating for the sake of celebration, but because God has sustained our lives to celebrate the moment.

“And, if God has sustained our lives to this very moment, we must always do our best for our state, being the teaching that has been constant in those lectures we have received over the years.

“I have Muslim blood in my vein. We talk of religious tolerance, good deeds, perseverance and all that. But I will ask for something; we have spent six years out of eight. The remaining two years, you need to continue to pray for us. We may have done well for the past six years, but we want to finish strong in the next two years.”

He added: “It is important that you should continue to give us useful advice till the last day of this tenure.

“Also, you need to intensify your prayers for us, because God answers them, and it has seen us through the tough times up to this point. That is why Oyo State has been relatively peaceful and prosperous.

“Usually, when governors get to the halfway of my second tenure, people abuse them for maladministration. But I was at the Bodija Market yesterday, and they didn’t abuse us. They were rather praising and praying for us.

“In the last two years, there were promises that we made. Some have been fulfilled and some are yet to be fulfilled. Please, keep reminding us.

“By the end of September, this government will not commit to any major project again. Whatever project we commit to, we will see it through. This is because by the time we are leaving in the next 22 months, we do not want to leave any uncompleted or abandoned projects.

“So, don’t think because we have done well for six years, you can now leave us. If we finish strong, then we would have delivered to yourselves and the people of Oyo State on the promises we made to them.”

The governor equally used the opportunity of the occasion to make good on a promise he made during the last Omituntun Ramadan Lecture, saying, “During the last Ramadan Lecture that I organised, I promised the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland one bus and I have the key with me here.

“And, for the Muslim Community, I also promised them a new bus and I have the bus here too.

“Please reach out to us on any promise you feel we are yet to fulfil.”

Earlier in his address, the Deputy Governor of the State, AbdulraheemBayoLawal, thanked God for the opportunity to witness another Hijrah Luncheon celebration, while he also appreciated the governor for sustaining and supporting the programme every year.

He acknowledged the support of Makinde to the Muslim Ummah, saying this has ensured progress and development in the state.

In his lecture at the event, the guest lecturer, Sheik DikrulahiYaya, commended Makinde’s infrastructural projects across the state, while he also extolled his uncommon leadership virtues.

He admonished Muslim faithful to always exhibit good behaviour and always remember the importance of Hijrah.

The Chairman on the occasion and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, AlhajiDawudMakanjuolaAkinola, who was represented by Sheik MuyideenAlkubroh, called for more support and prayers for Makinde.

Also in his remarks, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba AkeemAbimbolaOwoade I, commended Makinde’s style of governance and laudable infrastructural development that has transformed the state from poverty to prosperity.

He also thanked the governor for his uprightness and forthrightness on the processes leading to his (Owoade’s) ascension to the throne of his forebears, urging residents of Oyo State to continue to remain in unity and harmony irrespective of their religious beliefs.

The event had in attendance a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi; member representing Ibadan South-West/North-West Federal Constituency, Hon Stanley Olajide; and member representing Iseyin/Kajola/Iwajowa/Itesiwaju Federal Constituency, Hon ShinaOyedeji.

Others were the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Honourable Justice IyaboYerima; President of the Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice T.M. Abdulganiyu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, OtunbaSegunOgunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni; Chief Imam of Ibadanland and Grand Imam of Oyo State, AlhajiAbdulganiyuAgbotomokekere; Prof. KamilOloso, members of the League of Imams and Alfas; Labour Union leaders and other top government functionaries.