Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday assured residents that good governance would continue in the state after the expiration of his tenure in May 2027, saying members of his administration are well positioned to sustain the work of his government.
Makinde gave the assurance during a Thanksgiving Service held at the Cathedral of St Peter’s, Aremo, Ibadan, as part of activities marking the ongoing 50th anniversary of Oyo State.
The governor said his administration would continue to govern the state in line with the will and guidance of God, noting that strong foundations have been laid to guide the state into its next phase of development.
He described his emergence as governor in 2019, after eight years of political contest, as an act of God’s mercy, which ushered in a new beginning for Oyo State.
According to him, while he will leave office in 2027, members of his team remain intact and will continue to work for the people of the state.
Makinde congratulated residents on witnessing the state’s golden jubilee, attributing the milestone to God’s grace, and urged them to remain focused and committed to sustaining the progress recorded so far.
The Thanksgiving Service was part of a week-long programme organised by the state government to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Oyo State, which was created on February 3, 1976, from the former Western Region, with Ibadan as its administrative capital.
The celebration includes religious services, cultural exhibitions, a public lecture, and an awards and dinner night.
In his goodwill message, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, commended Makinde’s leadership style and the transformation recorded in the state, describing Ibadan as a historic city of knowledge and hope.
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Obi praised the governor for what he described as faithful service to the people and prayed for continued progress in the state, while urging Nigerians to always remember political leaders in prayers, noting that Nigeria’s challenges stem from poor governance rather than lack of resources.
Earlier, the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, The Most Rev’d Williams Aladekugbe, in his sermon titled “Gratitude,” thanked God for His faithfulness to Oyo State and commended past leaders and the current administration for their contributions to the state’s development.
Special prayers were offered for the governor, the state, past leaders, and Nigeria, as well as for the continuity of good governance.
Dignitaries at the service included the governor’s wife, Tamunominini Makinde; the wife of the Osun State Governor, Titilola Adeleke; former First Lady of Oyo State, Mutiat Ladoja; the Chief Judge of the state, Iyabo Yerima; the Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde; the Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; the Head of Service, Olubunmi Oni; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Kazeem Adeniyi; and the Chairman of the Oyo State @ 50 Committee, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi.