Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, declared, on Sunday, that his administration’s four-point service agenda will take the state to greater heights.
The governor, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, at the 32nd Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the Victory International Church, Rehoboth Cathedral, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan, said that his administration will always target infrastructural development and economic expansion.
He also said that Oyo State remains the safest state in Nigeria, adding, however, that his administration will not rest on its oars by remaining vigilant.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, further quoted Makinde as saying that his administration has already awarded contracts for the construction of 299 model primary healthcare centres in an equal number of electoral wards across the state.
According to him, the dream of his government is to have a model primary healthcare centre in each of the 351electoral wards across the state as a bold step aimed at improving health care facilities in the state.
Makinde also expressed his appreciation to religious leaders, whom he said prayed and fellowshipped with him before his election and also went out to vote for him to eventually make him the governor of Oyo State.
He said that he remained grateful to many in the “body of Christ” who have been supporting him with prayers and pieces of advice since he became governor.
He said: “You have done all of these to ensure we get things right because to govern is not an easy task, let alone governing a state like Oyo State. So, we appreciate the body of Christ. We appreciate the Bishop (Taiwo Adelakun) and all the brethren for the support they have given to this administration and the understanding because everybody wants things to move at supersonic speed. But we know resources are limited and there are competing needs. So, we thank you for your understanding.”
The governor added that in order to take Oyo State to the Promised Land, his administration will continue to implement policies aimed at lifting the state from poverty to prosperity.
Ha added: “So, on this note, I will just say this government is focused on mainly four cardinal areas, which is to expand the economy, education, health and security.
“On the expansion of the economy, we are doing this through massive programmes on infrastructure, and that is why we have the Moniya-Iseyin road. It is targeted towards the economy so as to get farm inputs into the city easily.
“Anything you see this government do in terms of infrastructure is targeted at the economy. That is why you also find a place like Adamasingba. Some people may ask why sports? But I can tell you that people are making a lot of money in sports. “When the stadium was unveiled, Shooting Stars played a foreign team and right now two of our players are undergoing trials with that foreign team.
“On education, we are doing a lot around here. Currently, LAUTECH is fully owned by Oyo State and there is no downing of tools. We are not only targeting the tertiary institutions but doing a lot around the primary and secondary schools too; employing teachers and training them.
“On health, there is a current programme to ensure we have one well-equipped Primary Healthcare Centre per ward, which will be 351 PHCs all across Oyo State.
“And as of today, contract for 299 of that has been awarded and currently ongoing.
When people talk about security, I want to make bold to say that Oyo State is arguably the safest state in Nigeria. But that being said, you cannot enjoy an expanded economy, education and health without all of us being vigilant. That is why we like to talk about security.
“We don’t talk about security because we feel we are unsafe but because we must be vigilant. If you see something, we beg you to say something so that we can continue to enjoy the security we have in Oyo State and improve on it by being vigilant. There is a free toll line, 615, you can call.
“I want to say, lastly, that this government is willing and ready to engage. We don’t have to keep everything waiting for the governor’s attention.
“What we need do is to come to lower levels of engagement so that, from there, we can escalate things to him so that we don’t think he is the one to discuss all issues with before they are done.”
Speaking earlier, the presiding Bishop of Victory International Church, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, said that it is good to show appreciation as, according to him, greater doors open after a show of appreciation.
“When Jesus Christ gave thanks, Lazarus was raised from the dead,” he said, adding that the congregation must continue to be in the attitude of thanksgiving, so as to keep receiving God’s blessings.”
