By Seyifunmi Odunuga
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, has congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde of the state on his 55th birthday, which he attained today Sunday, December 25, 2022.
A statement jointly signed by the NUJ chairman in the state, Comrade Ademola Babalola, and the secretary, Comrade Olusola Oladapo, described Makinde as a strong pillar of support for journalists in the state.
The statement read in part: “Governor Seyi Makinde is our Grand Patron in the NUJ, Oyo State Council. He loves the media, from reporters to editors. Recently, he approved Oyo NUJ, the right to host the National Executive Council meeting of the union nationwide. This is unprecedented in the state. It is the first of its kind in the history of Oyo NUJ.
“Governor Makinde has been very supportive of the cause of the NUJ, even before he became the number one citizen of the Pace Setter state. It is on record that he built a laboratory for the Pen Group of Schools at the premises of the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, even before he became the Governor. Nevertheless, two years ago, he gave the Union a Brand New Bus.
“So, he has been outstanding in terms of support to the Union and that was why journalists in the state, the last year 2021, voted him as the Best Media-Friendly Governor in the history of the Pacesetter State.
“But the NUJ in the state has observed with keen interest that his good works have not been limited to journalists alone. He has also impacted positively on other unions in the state, apart from the execution of people-oriented projects, across the three senatorial districts in the state.
“It must be noted that his sterling quality in understanding that government is a continuum is second to none. Apart from initiating new projects, he has also not abandoned projects that were not completed by his predecessors in office. He has completed a number of them and many are on the verge of completion.
“Therefore, we identify with Governor Makinde on this auspicious occasion of his 55th birthday. It is no mean feat that he has achieved. May God continue to strengthen him in the onerous task of moving Oyo State forward. May God bless him with long life, sound health and prosperity.”
