By Adeyinka Adeniran
Secretary to Oyo State Government (SSG), Professor Olanike Adeyemo has said, despite the general belief that second term governors usually have less to offer, Governor Seyi Makinde has continued to fire on all cylinders in terms of transforming the state.
According to her, the governor has continued to show that he will continue to work until the last day of his second term in office.
She spoke in a remark while flagging off an inter-ministerial press briefing to mark the 6th year anniversary of the Makinde led administration.
She said, although, the governor is in the best position to give his score card to mark the second year anniversary of his second term in office, the SSG noted that it is not out of place to allow Commissioners and head of government Ministries, Department and Agencies to give account of their efforts as holders of the critical positions for the governor.
She said, “It is a great honor to declare this event opened. We thank you for coming, we look forward to a fruitful engagement with the MDAs. The governor is not a man who always blow his trumpet, so we are open to you interacting with us, asking critical questions.
“Most people believed that when a governor is in his second term, he is tired and cruising, but, Makinde is not on cruise control, the man is still firing on both cylinders.
“And so, whatever the gaps, beyond all what he has done well, this is the time to bring them forward, so that he would know. He believes until we finish, we have not finished. We want to finish well, we want to finish strong.
“I want to quote the governor, he said, he is here to serve his people. One of the things he said yesterday was that, he is here to serve his people. He still said it yesterday at the state executive council meeting. And one of the things he said that struck me yesterday was that, it might interest us to know that, for the last six years, the governor has been operating from his house, because he will not use the money of Oyo State to make himself comfortable.
“So, he has been sacrificing for the people and he is still continuing to sacrifice by not proliotizing his own comfort above the interest of the people. It is only the governor that has the right to give his own scorecard because he is the one that is duly elected. But, the Commissioners who have been mandated to man critical MDAs also can say what is happening under their watch.
“So, that’s why we are here. So, you have the permission of the government to ask questions, interact and report it objectively. As much as we say, don’t praise us, please be fair in your reportage.”
Addressing the press, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the ministry has made significant strides under the leadership of Governor Makinde, noting that the ministry’s achievements span various sectors, including veterinary services, rural development, extension services, capacity building, and infrastructure development.
He said one notable success story is the ministry’s vaccination program, which has protected thousands of livestock from diseases such as Anthrax and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP). He added that the ministry’s meat inspection services have ensured the safety of meat products for human consumption.
Additionally, he said the ministry has also invested in rural infrastructure development, constructing roads and upgrading markets to improve access to markets and reduce post-harvest losses, adding that, the Tractorization Subsidy Program has enabled thousands of farmers to plough their farmlands, increasing agricultural productivity.
Olaleye explained that, the ministry’s extension services have also been strengthened, with extension officers receiving training and motorcycles to reach farmers in remote areas, saying “the ministry has also conducted comprehensive training programs for farmers on various agricultural enterprises, including climate-smart agriculture, mushroom cultivation, and beekeeping.
“Moreover, the ministry has distributed inputs to farmers, including seeds, fertilizers, and livestock feed, to support agricultural production. Microloans have also been provided to small holder farmers to expand their operations and improve their livelihoods.
“The ministry’s collaborations with development partners have also yielded significant results, with thousands of farmers benefiting from training programs on crop production, value addition, and agribusiness development.
“Overall, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Oyo State has made significant progress in promoting agricultural development and food security in the state. Its comprehensive approach to agricultural development has directly impacted tens of thousands of farmers, positioning Oyo State as a leader in agricultural innovation and food security in Nigeria.”
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, noted that Governor Seyi Makinde had made promises in the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023-2027, which aimed to take the people of Oyo State from poverty to prosperity.
He said, two years into his administration, the media briefing would provide answers to whether the state was closer to achieving this vision.
He explained that the briefing would feature honourable commissioners and Heads of Government Agencies and Departments, who would give an account of their stewardship and highlight government policies, plans, and progress.
The effort, he said would help to address misinformation, foster better government-people relationships, and accelerate sustainable development.
He however appreciated the media’s support for the administration and requested coverage for the 10-day engagement, which he said, aimed to project the government to the people and bring the people closer to the government.
