Omituntun
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Judging by his scorecard in the last four years of Omituntun administration, one could safely conclude that the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde is determined to reward his hard work with more work in the pace-setter state.

Omituntun

The dust had barely settled on the last governorship election, where Governor Makinde predictably won with a wide margin, before he started clearing the pathway for Omituntun 2.0.

Omituntun is the political mantra of Governor Seyi Makinde, which literally means, “fresh water”. The first phase of Omituntun ended on May 28, 2023.

In every other level of government, his first tenure has been as eventful as it is challenging. Recall that within the last four years of his administration, the world recorded one of the most existential threats in human history-the COVID-19 pandemic. He was the only Governor who handled the pandemic Coronavirus from a different angle. While the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), which coordinated the operations of the thematic segments of the containment drives was fully in operation, Governor Makinde did not encourage full closure of businesses.

Governor Seyi Makinde had four pillars upon which the Road Map to Accelerated Development in Oyo State, 2019-2023, was based. Achievements in the listed sectors have contributed to the overall growth of the economy. In 2020, Oyo State was one of the top 5 states in Nigeria that experienced YoY growth in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). In real terms, the state added over N1 Billion monthly in IGR.

Of the present governors who took another oath of office on May 29, Makinde is one of the most accomplished, with overwhelming records to show for this claim. He made the environment conducive for investment and industrial growth through the reformed ease-of-doing business, people-oriented infrastructural development, ranging from roads, schools and affordable healthcare service delivery in all the wards in Oyo State.

Under Omituntun 1.0, the gains already recorded by the administration include the construction of several roads that have impacted positively on the economy of the state through the creation of a thriving environment for private sector players in the state’s agribusiness sector.

His government will continue to consolidate on the gains already recorded in the education sector, road infrastructure and agribusiness, among others.

Omituntun 1.0 secured 125 million dollars in development partners-blended finance for rural roads, agro logistics, market and industrial hubs. All of these contribute to providing direct and indirect jobs for teeming population.

The first term of Makinde’s administration completed the first phase of the remodelling of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan and the income generated by the facility has doubled, while it is projected to attract a 300 per cent increase in revenue when completed.

The commissioning of the Ojoo and Challenge Bus Terminals, which have already been handling up to 10,000 passengers daily off peak, is another achievement of the administration.

Even with all these laudable achievements, Governor Makinde is not taking the renewal of his mandate for granted in any way. He is fully aware of the greater expectations ahead of his new administration and has promised to deliver on his electoral promises to the benefit of all. In unveiling his next line of action, he has reassured of his readiness to wattract investors to thr state.

Taking up the mantle for Omituntun 2.0 he has demonstrated the shape development would take in the next four years.

His transition to a second term as Executive Governor of Oyo State, took a 4-day event, full of activities amidst pomp and pageantry.

One could argue that the event attracted the creme-de-la-creme in and outside the nation, including diplomats, business moguls, religious leaders, political associates among others.

His inauguration ceremony was heralded by a Juma’at service at the Central Mosque, Oja’ba, Ibadan, where he assured people of the state of more dividends of democracy as he begins second term in Office on 29th May.

Represented by his Deputy, Chief Bayo Lawal, Makinde thanked the people of the state for their support during the first term in office.

He solicited prayers from religious leaders to make Omituntun 2.0 a successful one.

The Chief Imam of Ibadan, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyy Agbotomoke later led special prayers for a successful tenure of Governor Makinde and the progress of the state.

The Governor was joined by Family members, political associates and well-wishers on Sunday, during the Thanksgiving service hosted by the President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale Oke at Christ Life Church, Old-Ife road.

At the service, Governor Makinde vowed not to relent in ensuring the dividends of democracy is spread across the length and breadth of the State.

He shared some of his travails while seeking political positions in the past and how his faith and belief in God, the father sailed him through the 2019 general elections, without a god-father.

The good people of Oyo State trooped out in their numbers, adorning different attires, uniforms and aso-ebis to welcome the new administration of Makinde at the inauguration programme held at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium, Ibadan.

While, many have not recovered from the marvel of the turn-out at the four day event, the governor has already hit the ground running. He has not shifted his sight on performing more and delivering the dividends of democracy, which had eluded the people in the past.

To underscore his readiness, he has held several meetings with private sector players. More spoken of, is the Oyo State International Summit, held in London, where he presented different forms of investment to prospective investors.

Just as he had delivered in terms of infrastructure, human capital development, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, and all-round investment in the state, the governor is obviously more focused and determined to ensure that, by the end of his two terms as governor of Oyo state in 2027, his legacies would have been permanently engraved in the sands of time and in the hearts and minds of the people he governed.

While we assure Governor Makinde of our full support and cooperation in Omituntun 2.0, as he sails this state to a safe haven, it is pertinent to appeal to those in the opposing camps to put the acrimony arising from the recent elections behind, so that the state can forge ahead.   OYO NEWS

Olamide Adeniji is an Information Officer, a blogger, a PR expert and a public affairs analyst.

By oyonews

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