Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said the government is working round the clock with relevant security agencies to ensure that the students and staff abducted in schools at the Oriire Local Government Area are united with their families.
He gave the assurance while fielding questions from reporters shortly after hosting a delegation of the Muslim community led by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who paid him a sallah visit at his Ikolaba private residence, Ibadan.
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The Governor reiterated that the state has remained united despite political, religious, and ethnic differences, urging the citizens and residents of the state to continue to be united, even as the election season commences soon.
He stated: “For us in Oyo State we are very liberal and tolerant people. So it’s difficult to use ethnicity or religion to divide us. Even as we move towards this political season, the government will come and go but our state and our country remain.
“On the challenges that we have, especially in Oyo State, with our school children being kidnapped, we are working round the clock to ensure that the children are united with their families. So I use this opportunity to say to those that are in despair right now that God Almighty will meet them at their point of need,” Makinde said.
He used the opportunity to wish the Muslim Ummah in Oyo State and Nigeria happy Eid celebration, praying that many more of it will be witnessed in the land of the living, particularly as the nation moves towards political season.
“Even when we disagree with ourselves it’s a temporary thing. In another seven-eight months the president-elect would have emerged, governors-elect would have emerged. And whoever emerges, we will have to work together in the interest of our state and our country with such individuals and sets of people,” the governor noted.
The visitors, including political office holders, top government functionaries, and Islamic leaders, went on the visit shortly after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Eid Prayer Ground, Agodi, Ibadan.
