If there is any governor who has set a new standard in Nigeria today, then it should be the executive governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde. Few days back, the Supreme Court affirmed his election as a duly elected governor of Oyo State.
He is the most popular governor in the country today, among his peers, especially in the South West region. He has, no doubt, changed the narrative as far as governance is concerned. He has set new standard. He is the first and probably the only governor to have declared his assets publicly. Few weeks back, he signed into law, the Oyo State anti-corruption bill 2019. Everywhere you go now in Oyo State, especially among the market women, civil servant and the people generally, his matter is the major topic of discussions. Even outside the state, Seyi Makinde is well loved and cherished. He is always in the news for positive reasons.
In fact, he is now been use as a reference point; an example of a perfect working Governor. If they are not talking about his free education policy, it will be on his intervention in the security, health or payment pension arrears or salaries etc. That is how much Makinde has earned respect of his people. Makinde is not only fulfilling his campaign promises, but has been able to set up a working machinery to take Oyo State to the greater heights possible. As he clearly stated in his inaugural speech, “I am here as your governor to serve you. I will work tirelessly and take responsibility for the workings of every sector. While I will delegate effectively, the buck will stop with me. I want you to hold me accountable and I will also hold you accountable as we work as partners to bring Oyo State to glory”, Makinde is living up to his words. But how has the Governor been able to earn so much respect? The very first thing Makinde did to caught people off balance, shortly his inauguration, was to scraped the #3,000 levies policy across schools and declared free education policy in the state. He also declared opened the secretariat bridge, which was locked by the immediate past administation, for public use and named it ‘Freedom Bridge’.
He didn’t stop there, he later reinstated the subvention payment to the higher institutions across the state; a policy which was also suspended by the previous administation. He has also went ahead to consolidate on this his many positive initiative by giving the indigenous law students in the state #5m worth of bursary. What about prompt payment of salary and pension, civil servants in the state now receive their salaries on 25th of every month, unfailingly. The Governor has increased both car and housing loans from #500,000 and 2m to #700,000 and 3m, respectively. It has also been smiling mood for pensioners in the state, as backlog of their arrears is being settled. The same goes for the market men and women. Makinde, has won their hearts with his lofty ideas. Those plying their trades at the Scout Camp Neighborhood Market have enjoyed the positive waves of Makinde’s government, as he has reduced the rent for locked up shops from #62,000 to #40,000 and open stalls from #16,000 to #8,000, in order to encourage them and at the same time kick against street trading.
Not to talk of light up Ibadan project, where most streets are now well illuminated in the night with street lights. In his bid to also fight against criminality and other security challenges, the state government recently launched 100 brand new patrol cars for security agencies with communication gadgets. This also includes a 615 toll free number not only for security, but health and fire emergency. While his #500,000,000 intervention fund for Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) still being commended. After a thorough investigation, 300 civil servants wrongly dismissed by the immediate past administation have been since reinstated by Makinde
Makinde, has also brought succour to traders in Bodija market by promptly repaired their collapsed bridge, which links Agbowo to Ojoo Express Way. Governor Makinde doesn’t speak alone, but back it with actions, that is why it wasn’t supposing to many who understands his style when he recent led a team of clean up Ibadan project. Makinde, alongside his cabinet members, participated in packing of refuse. That is the kind of example he is laying. But how the Governor is been able to achieve all these despite meeting an empty treasury remains a kind of mystery to many. It has only shows that Makinde came in prepared with a well sketched plans, which he has been executing one after the other.
No wonder he has hit the ground running. For Governor Makinde, there is no time to waste. He has already present 2020 budget of the state to the Assembly and before the end of December, the budget is likely to be confirmed by the House. Infrastructure, Education and Works get major share of the budget, with Education alone getting 10 percent out of the whole budget.
–DARE ADENIRAN
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