Oyo Governor reaffirms support for Youths, Investors

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says his administration will continue to encourage youths and create a conducive environment for investors with great ideas to move the state forward irrespective of political affiliations or differences.

He stated this while commissioning Omoluabi FM, a private radio station in Ibadan, the state capital, disclosing that due to his administration’s commitment to creating an environment where businesses could thrive, the number of radio stations he met on the ground had nearly tripled.

Governor Makinde who noted that the future of Nigeria rests on its youths recalled that when his administration came in, there were roughly 20 radio stations, adding that his government had been able to build a modern Oyo State, which had attracted more investors and businesses in major corridors of the state.

“In the past three weeks, this is the second radio station that we will be declaring open. On the 27th of December, I declared open the Dynasty FM Station in Oyo, owned by the Ajisafes. And today, we are declaring Omoluabi 87.7 FM open. One unique thing about this place is the youthful members of staff and management. 

“I started my business at the age of 29 and I have been paying salaries rather than receiving since then. I am now 56. So, it is an avenue for you to prove that the future of Nigeria, indeed, is the youthful population, because you have the energy and the intellect. So, in Oyo State, we will continue to encourage our youths,” the Governor affirmed.

Governor Makinde lauded the founder of the radio station, a former Minister of Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare, for the heavy investments in the business, stating that his government would continue to encourage investors, and would provide adequate security and lighting around the area.

Makinde stated that political differences should not be allowed to affect businesses negatively and urged political loyalists to embrace peace and stop creating political wars among the politicians, stressing that no politician is worth dying for.

He said: “I am glad to be here to support my brother and it has nothing to do with politics. We will continue to create a conducive atmosphere where we can all interact irrespective of party affiliations. Government and players will come and go but our state will remain.”

Speaking earlier, Chief Dare thanked the governor and the government for their support while setting up the radio station,  and equally for embracing privatisation.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the General Manager of the radio station, Mr Stephen Adedigba, said the station is a youth-driven initiative and that it would uphold integrity.

The event had in attendance a former deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo; former Speakers of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Akin Onigbinde (SAN) and  Asimiyu Niran Alarape; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; Head of Service, Mrs Bunmi Oni,  and commissioners, among other top government functionaries.