Oyo @ 50: My team'll continue where I stop in 2027

.As Peter Obi lauds Gov for uplift of state

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that while his tenure will end in May 2027, members of his team with whom he has delivered good governance, are poised to continue the good works in different capacities.

Governor Makinde, who noted that his administration will continue to govern the state in accordance with the will and guidance of God for the people of the state, said his government has built strong foundations for the state as it enters its next phase.

The governor stated this on Sunday, during a Thanksgiving Service in commemoration of Oyo State’s 50th anniversary, held at the Cathedral of St Peter’s, Aremo, Ibadan.

This was as the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, lauded Governor Makinde for the uplift of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and for using public funds for public good.

Governor Makinde, who had earlier read the second Bible lesson from Matthew 5:1-12, congratulated all residents of Oyo State on witnessing the celebration of the state’s golden jubilee, which he noted was due to God’s grace.

He emphasised that his emergence as governor of the state in 2019 after contesting for eight years could only be attributed to God’s mercy, which enabled the state to experience a new beginning.

He assured the people of the state of continuity of good governance after the expiration of his tenure, stressing that his team is still intact and will carry on the good works.

He said: “I want to congratulate all of us for witnessing Oyo State at 50 and I pray that we shall witness many more years on earth.

“When I became the governor of Oyo State in 2019, I was the 8th civilian or Executive governor of Oyo State and the significance of eight in the Bible depicts a new beginning. So, the journey has been a new beginning for Oyo State. I didn’t plan it.

“I tell people that I am not ashamed to say that I don’t have a godfather, I only have God the father. Some of the people are upset, they said I came to them to ask for support to be elected. Yes, you go somewhere to seek for support. Does that make the person your godfather?

“So, God has been so merciful to us, and we will continue to operate in accordance with the will and the dictates of God for us.

“God has brought a particular Governor at a particular time to signify a new beginning for Oyo State. My charge to you as we celebrate this 50th anniversary of Oyo State is that we should not go back to where we were coming from. Let us stay focused.

“We have a team that is still intact. It is only Seyi Makinde that will go out; members of the team are there to continue to work for the people of Oyo State. We will continue to operate in accordance with the will and the dictates of God for Oyo State.”

In his goodwill message, former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, lauded Governor Makinde’s leadership style and transformation agenda in the state.

Obi said: “It is always an honour to be in Ibadan. I was here on Tuesday to visit the University and I was telling somebody that this is a historic town where all of us, as Nigerians, come because it is a city of knowledge and a city of hope.

“The people who came with me said you don’t know how this place has changed and I appreciate the preacher on what he said about how the state has developed under Governor Seyi Makinde.

“I thank Governor Makinde for faithfully serving the people. As you celebrate this 50th anniversary, I pray that the next fifty years of the great state will be exemplary. May God continue to bless our governor and all the members of his team. I was here at the onset of his government. I was one of those that were brought in to talk to his commissioners and I thank him for his exceptional work.

“As I conclude, I want to make a request to Nigerians to, please, always remember us politicians in prayers. We are the problem of Nigeria. No other person. Nigeria is not a poor country but only poorly governed.

“Remember us in your prayers that God should touch our hearts to use public money for public good. That is what Seyi Makinde is doing in Oyo State.”

Earlier in his sermon entitled: “Gratitude,” the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, The Most Rev’d Williams Aladekugbe, said God has been good to Oyo State and also hailed past leaders who contributed meaningfully to the growth of the state in the last 50 years.

He congratulated the governor for his people-oriented programme, which he said, has shaped the state and brought about infrastructure development, improved workers and pensioners’ welfare and peaceful coexistence, among others.

Special prayers were offered for Governor Makinde, Oyo State, past leaders/governors of the state, and Nigeria as well as for the continuity of good governance through a good successor to Governor Makinde.

The event had in attendance the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Engr Tamunominini Makinde; Wife of the Osun State Governor, Her Excellency Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adeleke; former First Lady of Oyo State, Her Excellency Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Adeniyi and the Chairman, Oyo State at 50 Committee, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi;

Others were the member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Fola Oyekunle; former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa; Commissioners; Chief and Mrs Bode Amoo; Chief (Mrs) Elizabeth Akinyele; Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders; and top government functionaries, among other dignitaries.

Signed

Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju

Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor

February 1, 2026.

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PRESS RELEASE

Makinde emerges Sun Newspaper’s Political Personality of the Year

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has been honoured with The Sun Newspaper’s Political Personality of the Year 2025 Award.

The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Otunba (Dr) Segun Ogunwuyi, received the Award on Saturday, at The Sun Awards, in Lagos.

While speaking with journalists shortly after receiving the award on behalf of Governor Makinde, Dr. Ogunwuyi said that the award was in recognition of Makinde’s resolute decision to support strong democratic values in the country and his “conviction to stand firmly for democratic ideals, to govern with courage, and to place people at the very heart of public service.”

He noted that the governor’s journey in leadership has been guided by the belief that democracy must work for the people and that quality livelihood must be delivered to them.

He explained that on his watch in the last six years and eight months, Oyo State has been on a steady path of reform, stability, and inclusive growth, a development which he noted, has not gone unnoticed by different organisations, including The Sun Newspapers.

He spoke further, “This award speaks not only to quality leadership, but to conviction. The conviction to stand firmly for democratic ideals, to govern with courage, and to place people at the very heart of public service.

“As Governor Makinde often says, governance is not just about roads, bridges, or physical infrastructure; it is about building enduring institutions that promote economic opportunity, guarantee security, and improve the quality of life for present and future generations.

“Under his leadership, Oyo State has continued on a steady path of reform, stability, and inclusive growth. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning respect and commendation from within Nigeria and beyond our borders.

“This award, therefore, serves as both an affirmation and a renewed call to service — an encouragement to continue upholding democratic values, pursuing excellence in governance, empowering our people, and consistently raising the bar for leadership in our nation.

“On behalf of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, I dedicate this honour to the resilient, supportive, and forward-looking people of Oyo State. They remain the true partners and beneficiaries of this journey, and indeed, the real architects of this success.

“I thank the Board of Editors and management of The Sun Newspapers for this recognition.

“May God bless Oyo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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