Makinde: Compacting the pact for greater impact

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

Sony was already a global brand before it came up with its Walkman on July 1, 1979. This device, which allowed individuals to enjoy music of their choice wherever they were and anytime they wanted, revolutionized the electronics industry globally and played a major role in pushing Sony to the fore as the leading electronics company because the product sold over 400million units. 

The Walkman was developed at the instance of Sony co-founder, Masaru Ibuka. Ibuka, a music enthusiast, loved to go about with Sony TC-D5, so as to be able to enjoy music wherever he was. When he had to make some long flights in 1979, he requested one of the company’s engineers, Norio Ohga, to develop something smaller and more portable than TC-D5 so that he could enjoy music on the flights. 

Working with Sony Pressman, a portable, monaural tape recorder, Ohga was able to design a device that enabled Ibuka enjoy his choice of music on his trips. Thus was born the Walkman.

But rather than build on this feat which earned it a fortune, Sony embarked on a long chest-thumping binge. By the time it returned to reality, Apple had built on the Walkman to develop the iPod. Thus, despite giving the world its first mobile stereo music device, Sony failed to move to the next stage. Apple beat Sony to it by coming up with the iPod. 

This is known as the Sony slip.

Although Sony is still running, it is no longer a front runner in the industry it once dominated. Complacency is always costly.

Armed with the Roadmap for Accelerated Development 2019-2023 and the Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023-2027, both of which constitute his pact with the people of Oyo State, the former for his first tenure and the latter for the current tenure, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has birthed unprecedented development in Oyo State. He has constructed more kilometers of roads than any governor in the history of the state, he has employed more civil and public servants than any of the governors that came before him, he has promoted agribusiness more than any governor in the country, he has renovated more schools than any of the governors since 1999, he has appointed more permanent secretaries than any of his predecessors in office, he has funded security outfits more than any of the governors that preceded him, he has championed inclusivity more than any other governor in the history of the state, he has reduced the dependency of the state on FAAC allocation more than any other governor in the state’s history, he has put the state on the world stage more than any of his predecessors through his domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), being the first sub-national to do so, he has attracted more investments into the state than any other governor since 1999, he has supported primary healthcare more than any governor in the history of the state, he has established more institutions and agencies than any governor in the history of the state, he has taken urban renewal to a height never experienced before in the state, he is the first Oyo State governor to achieve independent power generation. Indeed, Makinde has shown the people of Oyo State that his understanding of leadership is service to the people.  

His unmatched performance has left the people in awe. Consequently, the applause from all the zones, cities, towns, wards and villages across the state has been deafening. But the governor has always maintained that he is not doing any of the things he is doing for the applause, but for impact. 

So, unlike Sony, which plateaued after reaching a significant height, Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, keeps revving up despite his unparalleled accomplishments. For Makinde, complacency is a sacrilege, slowing down is a sin and resting on the oars is a crime against the people who entrusted their collective destiny to him. For him, the tempo of service delivery has to keep rising until he breasts the tape in the final seconds of May 28, 2027. Therefore, rather than rolling out the drums to celebrate the feats he has accomplished, Makinde believes he has to roll up his sleeves to deliver more dividends of good governance and exceptional leadership to all and sundry in Oyo State.

Speaking on the theme “Reflecting on Omituntun 2.0: Towards Building an Enduring Legacy” at the Omituntun 2.0 Mid-Term Leadership Retreat held recently at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Makinde told his cabinet members, heads of departments and agencies as well as permanent secretaries that notwithstanding the strides of the administration over the past six years, it was not yet time for backslapping or self adulation but a time to tighten the belt, work smarter and collaborate better so that the administration could finish on a high note.

After thanking members of his team for their contributions to the success recorded, the governor threw some posers: 

“Have we made progress? Yes.

“Are we where we need to be? Not yet.”

Not one for theatrics, Makinde drove home the point. He said, “Across our Roadmap, there remain gaps — not of vision, but of delivery. Projects that began with promise now need a final push.”

Expatiating on this, the governor said: “Several critical road and transport infrastructure projects are behind schedule. Our Agribusiness Industrial Hubs — Eruwa, Akufo, Ijaiye— are not yet completed. Solid Minerals Development is just gradually taking off. IGR targets, although rising, have not yet met the monthly benchmark we envisioned.

“These are not failures. They are reminders that great visions demand deliberate coordination — across ministries, agencies, and partners.”

He then gave the clincher: “Finishing strong requires inter-ministerial collaboration. No single ministry can build a legacy. Not Agriculture alone. Not Education alone. Not Public Works, Energy or Lands. But together, they can.”

Makinde told his team members that the last half of the current tenure should not be about starting new projects but about completing ongoing ones. He urged them to consolidate institutional wins, while ensuring that all arms of government work in alignment.

To leave no one in doubt about his determination to see that his administration delivers optimal benefits to the people, Makinde proposed an Oyo State Delivery Taskforce, a monthly review system among ministries to unlock bottlenecks, track legacy projects, and solve problems before they escalate. 

He also proposed a public-facing Legacy Dashboard to show citizens what is left to complete and who is responsible as well as quarterly cross-ministerial retreats, focused not on reporting activities, but on co-delivering outcomes.

The governor said the Legacy Dashboard could be patterned after the Rwandan model known as the Imihigo Delivery Compact, through which ministers publicly state what they will accomplish, so the public can hold them accountable when they do not.

Stressing that the exercise would not be an excuse to drop any appointee, Makinde said by deploying the strategy, Oyo State would be setting its own gold standard, which is grounded in coordination, not competition.

The governor then announced the launch of Oyo State’s Performance Delivery Compact, which he said would afford each Ministry, Department, and Agency to identify three to five legacy deliverables that could be realistically completed before 2027. 

The deliverables will then be broken down into 6-month targets — what would be delivered by January 2026, and what would be completed by May 2027. 

The MDAs are to ensure that each deliverable is S.M.A.R.T. — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These deliverables will then be published as their Oyo Legacy Pledge. 

He added that the MDAs should be prepared to stand before the public and say: “This is what we promised. This is what we delivered.” He also underscored the importance of collaboration among the MDAs through Joint Compacts, especially where outcomes overlap — such as infrastructure and commerce, education and youth, tourism and environment.

Governor Makinde said, “These compacts will be monitored quarterly and reviewed at our Legacy Retreat in 2026. They will guide resourcing, visibility, and decision-making for the remainder of this administration. The Oyo State Legacy Compact is not a slogan. It is a covenant. A pact between us and the people we serve.”

The governor then gave a list of four things that must be accomplished for the administration to build a legacy that would transcend generations. 

He said completion must be prioritized: “We must finish the agribusiness hubs, upgrade our PHCs, deliver the airport and feeder roads.”

Whatever works must be institutionalized: “We must protect effective policies through legal frameworks and performance-linked budgeting.”

The process, not just the product must be celebrated: “We must make our delivery model transparent and replicable.”

Successors must be empowered, not sabotaged: “A true legacy is one that outlives its architects.”

He added, “We are at a defining point. The foundation is solid. The vision is clear. The next two years must be about intentional delivery, inter-ministerial synergy, and generational impact.”

Then he delivered the crux of his presentation: “Let us remember: A legacy is not what you start. It is what you finish — and finish well. Let posterity say of this government, of this season: They came, they saw the gaps… and they closed them.”

Makinde’s commitment to the development of Oyo State is both humbling and inspiring. At a time when other second term governors are strategizing for the next election and trying to position themselves for opportunities in Abuja, Makinde is compacting his pact with the people to the most important things and concentrating energy and resources on the most critical things that would positively impact the people and leave an impact for generations yet to come. 

Makinde, on assumption of office, hit the ground running and also wants to yield the ground running at the end of his tenure, thus setting a template for good governance and exemplary leadership.  

This is probably why Mr Ayodele Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Davies Hotel, Ibadan, said in an interview that he had never seen a second term governor working as conscientiously as Makinde is doing. 

The best gift a people can have is a leader who does not pay perfunctory interest to their welfare, but one who braces all the odds to improve the people’s lot. Makinde goes the extra mile to make life meaningful for every resident of the state; he leaves no stone unturned to turn around the fortune of the state. So, if Oyo State appears to be on a present continuous development trajectory, it is because it is led by a governor who is consistently raising the bar of service delivery.

Dr. Olanrewaju is the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor.

Makinde Has Redefined Governance in Oyo State, says Babalola, NUJ chairman

 

The chairman of Oyo State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Demola Babalola, says Governor Seyi Makinde has redefined governance in Oyo State through his programmes and projects which have improved the people’s welfare.

Speaking in an interview with The People’s Verdict, Babalola said, “Seyi Makinde is a person who has broken the glass ceiling. He came from nowhere, broke the glass ceiling and redefined governance in Oyo State through numerous projects and programmes that have direct bearing on the welfare of the people of Oyo State.”

According to him, “Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in the last six years has been a blessing to Oyo State. 

The reasons are not farfetched. Before Makinde came on board, all of us witnessed a number of unrests and serious misgivings between the workforce in Oyo State and the government because of salaries and welfare package for workers in the state. When Makinde came on board, he promised that workers would be receiving their salaries on or before the 25th of every month and till date he has not defaulted. He has even been paying the 13th month salary.”

He added, “When the problem of fuel subsidy removal happened, Seyi Makinde took it upon himself and came up with a number of policies and programmes aimed at alleviating the sufferings of workers and the people. Majorly, it was the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER). Through this programme, the government was able to reach the nooks and crannies of the state. The government was able to distribute seedlings to farmers and other things to the non-agricultural sectors like the poorest of the poor, the masses and loans to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at a single digit interest rate to ensure that Oyo State people are living better.”

Giving a panoramic view of the Makinde administration, Babalola said, “For me, I can say holistically that this governor is a welfarist to the core. The welfare of the people of Oyo State is in his heart and he puts that forward anytime, any day. Even before I came on board as Chairman of NUJ, Governor Seyi Makinde had built facilities for us. He donated an ultra-modern science laboratory, a building with equipment, to NUJ for our Pen Junior School, an arm of the NUJ where we have educational support programme for the people of Oyo State. Makinde, in 2011, about 14 years ago, ever before he became the governor of Oyo State, built and donated a multi-million naira science laboratory to the union and he has been supporting us. So, in the history of Oyo State, we have never had a governor that has been supporting journalists as Seyi Makinde has done.” 

Talking about the governor’s road projects, Babalola said: “The road revolution in Oyo State had never been like this. Go and visit any of the road projects that the governor has done. Everywhere, you have this ultra-modern drainage system, bridges all over that water always finds its level. That makes the roads durable and to last longer than what previous administrations had done for the state. 

“So, today we are proud that in Oyo State we have a governor who is forward looking and who is visionary. As NUJ chairman in Oyo State, we have visited a number of states. Some years ago, we met some of the labour leaders in Ogun State. When they saw our bus, the NUJ bus, they said, ‘Ah, Oyo State, how we wish you people could loan us your governor, loan us Governor Seyi Makinde! We would have preferred that your governor was our governor in Ogun State.’ We then asked them what were the things our governor was doing that their governor was not doing. They said, ‘In terms of workers’ welfare alone, 13th month salary and all of that, Governor Seyi Makinde is the best.’

“Governor Makinde is a welfarist, he is someone who knows where the shoes hurt the people of Oyo State and he is always ready to come to their aid in terms of support and all of that. Just a few days ago, I read that the governor has again injected over N5billion into SAfER II. That means in another few weeks or months to come, people of Oyo State, especially the poorest of the poor, are going to enjoy this dividend in terms of distribution of food items, subsidizing the transport fares across Ibadan and Oyo State generally; Ogbomoso, Ibarapa, Oke Ogun and Oyo. That alone is really helping our people.”

The NUJ chairman also lauded Governor Makinde for his strides in education. 

He said, “All of us know what LAUTECH used to be. Today, LAUTECH is arguably one of the best state universities in the country. Not only that, Oyo State has taken over the responsibility of the university by severing the relationship between the two owner states, it is now solely owned by Oyo State. The governor has been doing well in terms of funding the university. He has even taken the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Resources to Iseyin for other people to access quality education.” 

Babalola also praised the governor for embracing agribusiness. He said, 

“Agriculture is our area of comparative advantage. That’s why many of us are happy that this governor is working in the area of agribusiness which will really translate into creation of jobs in years to come and will also make Oyo State the food destination of the country.”

Talking about job creation, the NUJ chairman noted that “The governor has been doing well in the area of agriculture and agribusiness and this has a multiplier effect in terms of people that are engaged in that sector. About 15,000 teaching and non-teaching staff have been recruited into Oyo State secondary and primary schools under TESCOM and SUBEB. The current government of Seyi Makinde has done so well in the area of mass recruitment of our people. 

“Governor Makinde has performed so well. That is why today he is the poster boy of the PDP.”

Watch the video.

      

       

Strategic Collaboration: We Will Reposition Nigeria’s legal framework, Digital Insecurity - MHR, Odidiomo

 

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, on Thursday, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s resolve to reposition Nigeria’s legal framework to meet the growing complexities of cybercrime and digital insecurity.

Speaking during the closing session of a Technical Meeting on Improving the Legal Framework for Cybercrime, held at Hearing Room 022, Senate New Building, National Assembly, Abuja, Hon. Olajide said the nation stands at a critical juncture in its digital evolution, one that demands urgent, inclusive and forward looking legal reforms.

The event, organised through a strategic collaboration between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Global Programme on Cybercrime, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Justice, brought together key policymakers, security stakeholders, technocrats and civil society actors to chart a new course for Nigeria’s cybersecurity governance.

According to the federal lawmaker, “Today, we have collectively reaffirmed the reality that cybercrime is no longer just a technical issue. It is a legal, economic, social and national security concern that requires urgent, informed and coordinated action.”

He stressed that cyber threats such as AI-generated disinformation, crypto-enabled fraud, data privacy violations and cross border cyber terrorism pose a clear and undeniable danger to Nigeria’s security, economy and democratic institutions. He noted that the current legal frameworks, particularly the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, are no longer adequate to address emerging realities.

“There is a pressing need to update, harmonise and future proof our laws in line with international conventions such as the Budapest Convention and the Malabo Convention,” Hon. Olajide stated. 

He maintained that beyond drafting new laws, Nigeria must also invest in the enforcement mechanisms, including digital forensics, training, infrastructure and cross border cooperation, to give teeth to such legal reforms.

While commending the deliberations and presentations made during the one day session, the lawmaker reiterated the commitment of the House of Representatives committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity to ensuring that legislative instruments are not only technologically responsive but also rooted in human rights, transparency and digital inclusion.

The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to fortify Nigeria’s institutional and legal capacity to prevent, investigate and prosecute cybercrime, while aligning with global standards and best practices.

IBADANLAND KING MAKERS APPOINT LADOJA AS NEW OLUBADAN OF IBADANLAND

 

 The Ibadanland Kingmakers have appointed Oba (Senator) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland 

His appointment was made  at the meeting of the Ibadan Kingmakers held at Olubadan palace Oke Aremo, Ibadan on Monday 4th August,2025.

At the said meeting,the nomination was moved by  His Royal Majesty Oba Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola  the Balogun of Ibadanland and seconded by His Royal Majesty Oba (Sir) Eddy Oyewole the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland designate while other Ibadan Kingmakers  unanimously supported the nomination.

Present at the meeting 

 Include Oba Kola Adegbola the Otun Balogun,Oba   Biodun Kolaisi the Osi Olubadan designate,Oba John Isioye Dada Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Salawudeen Ajibade the Asipa Olubadan designate, Oba Dauda Abiodun Azees the Asipa Balogun of the,Oba Muritala Adebayo Akande the Ekerin Olubadan designate,Oba Oba John Isioye Dada Osi Balogun, Oba Dauda Abiodun As zees the Asipa Balogun, Oba Akeem Mobolaji Adewoyin the Ekerin Balogun and Oba(Senator )Sarafadeen Abiodun Ali the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland 

The recommendation of the Ibadanland Kingmakers will be sent to the Governor, Engineer Seyi Makindes for his final approval.

BY-ELECTION: Odidiomo Drum Support for Ibadan North Federal Constituency PDP Candidate, Folajimi

Ahead of the August 16 by-election for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat, the lawmaker representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West federal constituency of Oyo state in the House of Representatives, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, has declared total support for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle, popularly known as ‘Don’.

Olajide, who is the Chairman, House Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, according to a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Tolu Mustapha described the PDP candidate as a vibrant and experienced politician with the capacity to deliver qualitative representation for the people of Ibadan North.

Speaking at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting, while handing over campaign materials donated by the two term PDP lawmaker in support of the by-election, Olajide urged party faithful and residents of the constituency to rally behind Oyekunle, noting that continuity of purposeful representation must not be interrupted.

He said, “Hon. Don is tested and trusted. He has served the people of Oyo State as a former member of the House of Assembly and most recently, as Deputy Chief of Staff to the executive Governor of Oyo state. He understands governance, he knows the terrain and most importantly, he shares Governor Seyi Makinde’s vision for accelerated development. We must all support him.”

Olajide, according to the statement stressed the need for synergy between the two neighbouring federal constituencies, adding that a victory for Oyekunle would consolidate PDP’s dominance in Ibadanland and further strengthen the state’s voice at the National Assembly.

He said the late occupant of the seat, Hon. Musiliudeen Olaide Akinremi (Jagaban), served diligently before his sudden demise and deserves to be succeeded by a candidate who will sustain quality representation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed August 16, 2025, for the by-election following the death of Hon. Akinremi in July, 2024. The seat has remained vacant since then and political parties are intensifying efforts to win the strategic constituency.

Strategic Partnership: Oyo CPS on Monday - Ijaiye SAPZ Groundbreaking: A Model of Subnational Vision and Global Partnership

On Saturday, 2 August 2025, the quiet community of Ijaiye in Akinyele Local Government Area witnessed a transformative milestone in Oyo State’s economic journey. The event marked the groundbreaking of the Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub, anchored by the Ijaiye Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ).

The project reflects a collaborative model—one led by subnational ambition, enabled by international development partners, and supported institutionally by the Federal Government.

 In Oyo State, the SAPZ is not a stand-alone intervention, but a strategic component of a broader agribusiness transformation agenda driven by deliberate, state-level planning.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Debo Akande, Director General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, described the moment as a continuation of a deliberate journey.

“It’s the next phase of a journey we’ve already begun. Fasola is functional, Eruwa is active, Ijaiye continues the momentum,” he said.

He added, “Our approach is intentional; we are building integrated hubs that are investor-friendly, farmer-accessible, and future-ready.”

Dr. Akande also commended the African Development Bank Group for championing the SAPZ model across Africa, and for recognising Oyo State as a credible and ready partner.

Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has made agribusiness not just a priority, but a cornerstone of Oyo State’s economic transformation.

 The Ijaiye SAPZ will occupy 300 hectares  of the 3,000 hectares site that will also host a Rungis-style international agrifood wholesale market as well as crop and livestock production. Together, these developments will form a fully integrated Agribusiness Industrial Hub, combining production, processing, and distribution in one location.

According to Governor Makinde, “This is not our first move. We began in Fasola, in the Oyo Zone, where twelve agribusinesses are already operational. We continued in Eruwa, in Ibarapa Zone. And now, we are here in Ibadan Zone, ensuring that the benefits of agribusiness development reach every region of our State.”

He explained further, “These hubs are not standalone structures. They are deliberately designed as interconnected anchors of our agribusiness ecosystem. They bring producers closer to processors, and link farms to markets. They reflect our belief that agriculture is not just about food; it is about infrastructure, it is about enterprise, and it is about national relevance.”

A pivotal figure in the SAPZ journey is Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group. As Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development over a decade ago, he introduced the concept of agro-industrial zones, though he was unable to launch it nationally at the time. Today, he is bringing that vision to life across Africa, with Oyo State emerging as one of the model implementers.

In his remarks, Dr Adesina noted that Oyo State is proving how long-term vision, when supported by the right partnerships, can deliver lasting change. He also expressed appreciation to the current Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, the Vice President, and the President of Nigeria for supporting the SAPZ initiative and ensuring the commencement of the first phase across eight states, with plans for an additional 28 states to follow.

The Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub is more than a physical development. It is a systems-based approach to rural transformation, market access, job creation, and economic diversification. By attracting private investors and building on existing infrastructure, the state is charting a path that goes beyond pilot projects.

Governor Makinde closed with a message that captured the spirit of the day:

“Let today’s event be a reminder to every citizen of Oyo State—governance is not theory. It is an action. And when we say we will deliver, we mean it.”

IBADAN NORTH BYE-ELECTION: OYO GOVT MOBILIZES CONSTITUENTS

The Oyo State Government has called on people of Ibadan North Federal Constituency to fulfill their civic responsibility by coming out en-masses to vote for the candidate of their choice in the forthcoming  bye elections

A statement jointly issued by the Director General of Oyo state Mobilization Agency for Socio-Economic Development,(OYMASED), Dr Morohunkola Thomas and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon(Mrs) Toyin Balogun noted that the bye election will take place on the 16th August, 2025.

The Statement added that according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, 19 registered political parties are eligible to participate in the bye-election.

The statement also noted that Ibadan North  Federal Constituency which comprises 12 wards with 512 polling units, has 272,196 registered voters.

While calling on Women from the Federal Constituency to come out en-masse to vote, the DG OYMASED and Commissioner for  Women Affairs and Social Inclusion stated that women are known to be Agents of Change and critical Influencers who can easily influence their children as well as husbands to vote.

Considering the fact that our votes determine the quality of leadership at the helm of affairs who will formulate policies with direct impact on the lives and futures of our children,it thus behoves any responsible parent,especially the mothers to be interested in using their votes and by extension,their voices to elect leaders who will steer the ship of state in directions which will enable their children reach and manifest their fullest potentials

The duo then encouraged the women to ensure to go to the polling units with all their children who are ages 18 and above,including their friends and neighbours to exercise their franchise by voting for the candidate of their choice 

A Get- Out-The-Vote Advocacy Campaign targeted at the female demographic of the Federal Constituency is expected to take place before the Bye Elections

It will be recalled that the member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr Olaide Akinremi, died on July 10, 2024, which necessitated the conduct of a bye-election.