The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to doing everything necessary to improve the standard of education in the state, noting that was the commitment behind the decision to declare the sector as one of the major pillars of his government.
Makinde stated this at the 2022 Christmas Carol Service with the theme: “Joy to the World”, held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, saying his administration would continue to commit resources to improve the education sector, while not reducing the pace of development in other sectors.
He saidt his administration had laid the foundation to ensure the continuous improvement of the human development index of the state, the governor also announced that the state government would pay the 13th month salary bonus to workers in the state on or before 31 December, as it had been doing since the inception of the administration in 2019.
He said: “Truly we have a lot to be thankful for because this same administration will celebrate another four Christmas carols in Oyo State. We have not completed the four years of the first term; we still have a few months left for the campaign. While campaigning, we will be commissioning projects as well.
“We started with omituntun 1.0 where we listed four pillars in the document I presented in 2018 – Roadmap for Accelerated Development of Oyo State. We focused on education, health, expansion of the economy and security and we have achieved a lot,” Makinde affirmed.
Speaking on some of the strides recorded by the administration, especially in the education sector, the Governor said with the upgrade of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education to a University of Education, the state now had a state-owned conventional university – the Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso and two specialised universities – the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo and the first Technical University, Ibadan.
Makinde also explained that with the success already recorded by the administration within the scope of the Omituntun 1.0, the state government would explore tourism and ethical mining as an avenue to further expand the economy of the state if he is re-elected in 2023.
“For the next 40 years, we have laid the foundation to produce human resources requirements for Oyo State. We have the same focus for Omituntun 2.0 with a few additions. The expansion of our economy will not only be through agribusiness but also tourism and solid minerals development,” the governor asserted.
Earlier in his remarks, the General Overseer of the Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry, Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasali, reminded Oyo State citizens to hold on to hope, as, according to him, the birth of Christ symbolises hope, enjoining everyone to use the season to remember the needy in their communities, because those who have should be sources of hope to the needy.
The first, second and third lessons of the event were read by the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; a Judge of the Oyo State High Court, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima; and the Chairman, CPFN, Oyo State, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, respectively.
The fourth, fifth and sixth lessons of the day were read by the Oyo State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro; Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin; and the President of CAC Worldwide, Pastor S. Oladele.
Also, the seventh and eighth lessons of the event were read by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, who also represented the governor’s wife, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, while Governor Makinde read the ninth lesson of the day.
Special prayers were held for the state, the first family, the State House of Assembly, civil servants and for increased prosperity for the state and Nigeria, by the Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde; Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa; Bishop Daniel Oluwajimade; Prophet Ojo Olowere; Bishop T.V. Adelakun and Bishop Francis Wale Oke.
Some of the dignitaries present at the service, which featured songs, hymn renditions and fireworks, were former Military Governor of Oyo State, Major General Oladayo Popoola; Evang. Bola Are; Chairman, Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing), Rev. David Moradeyo; members of the State Executive Council and traditional rulers, among others.
Dominica Nwabufo
