Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that his administration would continue to do everything needed to foster harmony among the various religions in the state, noting that the religious tolerance and peace being witnessed in the state would continue in his second term.
Makinde, who spoke on Thursday, during the 9th Omituntun Annual Ramadan Lecture, held at the Government House Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan, appreciated the various religious faiths and organisations in the state for maintaining harmony despite the relentless efforts of religious extremists to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
He said: “I want to thank those who have fed us with words of wisdom and direction from Allah because the essence of this lecture is to let us reflect on the reason for this Ramadan period. Someone said we should thank all the Muslim faithful who supported me to achieve re-election.
“Yes, I want to thank you not only for the re-election but also for the support you have given me in the last four years. Since we came into government and up till today, there was no record of any religious crisis in Oyo State,” Governor Makinde affirmed.
The governor said though the road to his administration’s success was rough, he remained grateful to God for being able to surmount the challenges, reiterating that he would increase efforts towards taking the state to greater heights during his second tenure. He hailed all religious leaders in the state for their support towards his re-election on March 18, 2023.
He noted: “At a point, a lot of groups came up and started ganging up against me, saying I am not a Muslim, therefore, I should not be supported for a second term. But if we look at the result of the election, it was very evident that you did not listen to them. What I can say today is that we will double our efforts to achieve more things for our people.”
Makinde stated that contrary to notions about second-term governors, he would not relax during his second term, after having secured re-election, saying his administration already knew what to do and would hit the ground running, implementing already designed policies one after the other.
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He noted: “Some said governors relax during second terms but I want to assure you that such will not happen here. It is not as if we want to start thinking about what we will do. No, we already know what to do and will be implementing them one after the other.”
Trustworthy leader
In their various sermons, Sheik Daud Yusuf Alawiye and Sheik Hashim Atere, who mentioned various qualities a believer should possess to be successful in life, described Governor Makinde as a trustworthy and pious leader, who has the love of his people at heart.
While appreciating the governor’s efforts on Islamic propagation, the duo charged the people of the state to continue their support for his administration so that it would achieve more success under Omitutun 2.0.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of the state, Bayo Lawal, on behalf of the state governor, thanked the Muslim Ummah for standing by the administration despite all odds, especially prior to the election.
Goodwill messages
Also, in their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the occasion and Seriki Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola; wife of a former governor of the state, Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja and a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, all harped on the need for love and unity of purpose to advance Oyo State.
Governor Makinde also announced the donation of brand-new Toyota cars to two lecturers, Sheik Alawiye and Sheik Atere, saying the vehicles would ease their movement for the propagation of Islamic Dawa.
The 9th edition of the Omituntun Ramadan Lecture, which brought together the Muslim Ummah, Islamic leaders and clerics, traditional rulers, government functionaries and politicians, is organised yearly by Makinde, even before becoming governor of the state.
Emmanuel Ukoh
