Thank you, good people of Oyo State for giving us another opportunity to serve you. We'll remain accountable to you under Omituntun 2.0.
Let me also thank everyone who supported our re-election bid. We're also grateful for all the congratulatory messages & good wishes. Ese pupo!
Statement by Governor Seyi Makinde Regarding the Suspension of Twitter’s Operations in Nigeria by the Federal Government
It has become imperative for me to release a statement regarding the suspension of Twitter’s operations in Nigeria by the Federal Government.
On behalf of the government and the good people of Oyo State, I congratulate the Governor-Elect, Senator
@AAdeleke_01
and the people of Osun State on this victory. It's great to have a second
@OfficialPDPNig
flag flying in the southwest.
Truly, power resides with the people.
We are deploying members of Operation Burst to various hotspots in Ibadan to arrest the situation and restore normalcy. The members of the team will continue to protect genuine protesters and their right to protest.
Full video
As I take down my pinned tweet which showed my unequivocal stand against the
#TwitterBan
which lasted 222 days, I'd like to remind us all that our choices have consequences. With the 2023 elections around the corner, I hope we are prepared to make the right electoral choices.
Statement by Governor Seyi Makinde Regarding the Suspension of Twitter’s Operations in Nigeria by the Federal Government
It has become imperative for me to release a statement regarding the suspension of Twitter’s operations in Nigeria by the Federal Government.
We dedicate this victory to God and the good people of Oyo State. We are grateful for your confidence in our administration and promise to work even harder to deliver our promises under Omituntun 2.0.
I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of one of our children, Jimoh Isiaka, who was shot during the ENDSARS protest in Ogbomoso. He later died at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, earlier today.
Today, we visited Ogbomoso to see the families of three of our children who died during the End SARS protests. We began the process of compensating the families for the losses they suffered and promised to do more in the coming days.
I am deeply moved by your prayers and support throughout this period. I am so thankful. This evening, I received my second negative test result for COVID-19. I especially thank Prof Temitope Alonge, who acted in my stead as Head of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force.
I have received the shocking news of the attacks on residents of Igangan, Ibarapaland, in the early hours of this morning. I am currently being briefed on the incidents. I urge residents to remain calm as security operatives are now in control of the situation.
Happy birthday my sweetheart,
@iamominini
. Sharing life with you is such a blessing and a privilege. I pray this year brings you more joy and peace. May God continue to bless and keep you. Have an amazing day!
We visited the LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, this afternoon. I assured the students that now that we have secured sole ownership, the university would no longer experience incessant strikes. I also announced a reduction of school fees for all students by 25%.
In my newsletter today, I announced that I have picked up the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for a second term as the elected Governor of the good people of Oyo State. If the good people of Oyo State desire it, we will serve for four more years.
My wife,
@iamominini
and I have cast our votes in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Ibadan today. As promised, security is tight in Oyo State, so I encourage our people to go out and exercise their civic responsibility without fear.
We visited the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Iseyin this evening. I assured the youth corps members that we would address the issues raised by the Commandant about the state of the camp. I also told them we would increase their allowance from N5,000 to N15,000.
To my wonderful wife,
@iamominini
, wishing you a happy birthday and many happy returns. I’m so happy to be sharing another birthday with you. May God continue to bless and keep you today and all the days of your life.
Today, we visited Igangan and promised the people that the attacks that happened in the early hours of Sunday would never repeat itself. I pleaded with our people in Igangan not to take the law into their hands but to support us as we address internal security failings.
As leaders, we should go beyond emotional reactions to issues and think about how our actions will affect the people we lead and our international ratings socially and economically.
We commissioned the Rontol Farms Industrial Cassava Factory at Ilora Farm Settlement yesterday. This is one of our private sector developed and public sector supported initiatives. Farmers at Ilora had requested for a processing plant to enable them earn more from their crops.
Twitter has become the platform for young people and indeed all Nigerians to exercise their fundamental right to express and publish an opinion. They use the platform to complain, argue and give feedback to government and its agencies who in turn, use these to improve policies.
We should also remember that Twitter has gone beyond a source of communication for many of our hardworking youths in Nigeria. It has become a source of livelihood for many, irrespective of their political affiliations or religious leanings.
Let me use this opportunity to say good morning to our people at home, at the farms and everywhere. I greet you all and say well done. This is political season. Don’t be afraid because we will also pass through this period and get back to governance.
My dear good people of Oyo State, it has become imperative to communicate directly about the COVID-19 situation in the state, and the measures that the Oyo State Government is taking to ensure the prevention, containment and control of this disease.
Read today’s newsletter where I stated that while many are more interested in the politics of 2023, in Oyo State, we remain focused on good governance. Two issues we will address in the coming weeks and months are rehabilitation of feeder roads and solid waste management.
We visited the scene of the explosion which occurred at about 7.44 pm yesterday, 16 January 2024 in Bodija, Ibadan. This unfortunate incident resulted in death and injury to residents in the vicinity and also affected properties. We have already deployed first responders and all
We were at St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, to give thanks to Almighty God on the 50th birthday of my lovely wife,
@iamominini
. We are grateful to our families, friends and well-wishers who joined us to give thanks this morning.
Nigerian youths and digital communications organisations earn a living from being able to use the platform to post communications on behalf of their clients.
Others who may not have physical stores also rely on Twitter to give visibility to their products and services.
As I stated clearly in my earlier statement, peaceful protests are a legitimate way for citizens to make their grievances known to the government, and it is totally unacceptable for anyone to be hurt during such protests.
I am overwhelmed by your good wishes and prayers. Thank you, everyone.
I am known as a long-distance runner. If I can outrun and outlast the virus, which I am sure, by God’s grace, I will do, so also will many of our people in Oyo State.
Congratulations, H.E.,
@GovernorObaseki
and Deputy Gov Phillip Shaibu for a well-deserved victory. Well done to the National Campaign Council for Edo State of our great party,
@OfficialPDPNig
led by H.E.,
@GovWike
. The victory is for the people of Edo State.
#EdoNoBeLagos
Today, I celebrate you, my darling wife,
@iamominini
as you turn a year older. May your day be filled with love, joy and everything your heart desires. God bless and keep you always.
At the Southern Governors Forum today, we discussed several issues of national importance including reemphasising the need for state police. We resolved that if security agencies are to carry out an operation in a state, they must duly inform the state's sitting governor.
We held a town hall meeting in Atiba, yesterday to listen to the concerns of our people. The main issues they raised were asking for support for the traders at Akesan Market to restock their shops, the commencement of Atiba FM station and provision of employment for youths.
This evening, we recommissioned the expanded Security Control Room and City Watch facilities at the Oyo State Security Trust Fund Headquarters, Onireke, Jericho, Ibadan. I reiterated our administration's commitment to making Oyo State safe and secure for all within its borders.
This afternoon, as part of our visit to Israel to meet investors and institutions that have shown interest in Oyo State’s agribusiness policies, we signed an agreement of cooperation with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to develop an agribusiness knowledge economy.
Today, we attended the meeting of Southern States’ Governors in Delta State. We discussed various national issues including security and restructuring. In view of the incursions of armed herders, criminals and bandits, we resolved to ban open grazing in all of Southern Nigeria.
“My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.” – President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2015)
Happy birthday, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR). We celebrate you today and always. We wish you many more happy and healthy years.
I was very pleased to commission the Akesan Market this afternoon. Last year January when this market was razed down was a sad day for us in Oyo State, especially for the traders who lost properties in the fire. But we promised to rebuild it & today, we delivered on that promise.
Grateful to my brother, Engr Dotun Sanusi, CEO of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, for the reception he organised today to celebrate our victory. As I stated during the event, we are ready to do even more for the benefit of the good people of Oyo State during our second tenure.
Earlier today, I delivered an address at The Forum, organised by The Men’s League of the church I attended when I lived in Port-Harcourt, Christ Church. The theme of the event was ‘What do Nigerians Want?’ Read my full address here
Representatives of Oyo State indigenes at the Nigerian Law School visited me today. I approved the sum of N500,000 to be paid as bursary to each Oyo State indigene at the Law School.
I call on all residents of Oyo State to please remain calm. I also call on the Police to allow residents of Oyo State protest peacefully without fear of being assaulted.
We visited the newly constructed Adogba Mosque today. The mosque was one of the buildings demolished to make way for the Iwo Road Bus Terminal 3 years ago. We have kept our promise to our people who worship at this mosque that we would replace the mosque with a better structure.
I am overwhelmed by the goodwill & congratulatory messages we've received as a result of the affirmation of our victory at the polls by the Supreme Court, earlier today. I am delighted that our faith & confidence in the judiciary as the last hope for the oppressed was rewarded.
It again calls into question why State Governors are called Chief Security Officers of their state whereas, they do not have the necessary powers to control the police force.
My dear good people of Oyo State, I have spent the last two days attending to reports of violence in various part of Ibadan. I have paid personal visits to some areas and spoken to various stakeholders directly.
Mama Seyi, nothing would have stopped me from honouring you today. I cherish every memory with you and miss you so much. Rest on in the bosom of our Lord.
We were delighted to welcome my brother governor, Dr
@GovSamuelOrtom
of Benue State, who commissioned the 65km Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road this afternoon.
We attended Jumat prayer at Adogba Mosque on Iwo Road, this afternoon. I spoke to our Muslim brothers and sisters about the proposed demolition of the mosque, a church and some other buildings by the government, to make way for the new bus terminal on Iwo Road.
We promised in 2018 to restore the lost glory of our darling Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC). Today, it is a promise kept.
Our 3SC thrashed Ekiti United 6:0 to clinch the last 3 points needed to get back into the NPFL after being relegated to the NNL in 2017.
Up Shooting!!!
This morning, we received my brother, His Excellency
@PeterObi
and his team, who visited us in Ibadan to condole with us over the Bodija incident. I thanked them for the visit and for putting politics aside at this time to sympathise with the victims especially those who lost
100 days: join my media chat at 6pm today on BCOS TV, where I will respond to questions about governance issues in Oyo State. The media chat will be broadcast live and streamed via
For the third year in a row, my team has tracked my campaign promises as contained in the Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023. Read
This morning, we received the first Air Peace flight to Ibadan. Air Peace will operate a daily flight into Ibadan. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the Chairman, Chief Allen Onyema and the management of Air Peace Airline for keying into our vision and pioneering this project.
This afternoon, we held the passing-out ceremony of the Àmòtékún Corps in Oyo Town. It’s been a long journey to get to this point from July 2019, when the first meeting was held by all six south west governors to set up a regional security outfit.
Honoured to be the new Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. I look forward to working with the new Chairman, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the forum secretariat staff and all members of the forum as we strive for inclusive development at the subnational level
On Wednesday morning, we paid an unscheduled visit to Scout Camp market to speak to the traders & find out why they have abandoned the market to trade on the roadside. Following a subsequent meeting with the traders, we decided to reduce the rent in both lock-up and open stalls.
As I promised in my statement yesterday, we just finished holding the first meeting of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force. But before I share the outcome of that meeting, let me quickly clarify some issues regarding the circumstances that led to the setting up of this task force.
The ENDSARS protests are a strong indicator of a systemic failure. It is a failure on the part of those who have been constitutionally empowered to protect the citizens.
I visited the scene of the Iwo Road incident this morning. The loss of lives during the mayhem that occurred is unfortunate and should never have happened. I give you my word that we will ensure that everyone involved in the dastardly act is brought to book.
I have received your complaints about the rally that was held yesterday, and I feel obligated to state in clear terms that we acted based on the information we had at that time. In retrospect, it should not have happened and I take responsibility for that lapse in judgement.
We held a special thanksgiving service for our second term elections victory at Livingspring Chapel International, Ibadan. I promised that as God has given us the opportunity to serve the people of Oyo State again, I will work even harder to deliver Omituntun 2.0 to our people.
We have been advocating for local solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic in Oyo State. So, as a COVID-19 survivor, I volunteered to donate my blood to be studied by our experts researching on the “Evaluation of Post Infection Protection Against SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) in Nigeria."
I sincerely appreciate every text, call, message, good wish and gift I received as I turned a year older yesterday. God bless you all for your kindness and thoughtfulness. You made my day!
Happy birthday to our former Vice President, Alhaji
@atiku
Abubakar. Many happy returns of the day as you clock 74. Sir, we wish you God’s blessings and protection today and pray that you remain in good health all the days of your life.
My family and I thank everyone for all the condolence messages we received over the death of our beloved mother, Madam Abigail Makinde (nee Omoregie). We are grateful to God for her life of service and sacrifice and pray that He grants her eternal rest.
Peaceful protests are a big part of our democratic process. The right to freedom of speech and assembly are guaranteed by our Constitution, and I will never support any attempt to rob citizens of their fundamental human rights.
This afternoon, we were in Lagos to attend the flag-off ceremony for commercial operations of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line by President Muhammadu Buhari. The rail project provides an alternative means of commuting between Ibadan and Lagos.
We are pleased to be collaborating with bike sharing and lifestyle start-up,
@awabikeng
to run a pilot scheme of their service at the State Secretariat, Agodi, for three months. The bikes are available to be used by workers and visitors.
The youngest member of our state’s Executive Council,
@TheSeunFakorede
got married this evening and we were there to celebrate with him. We wish Seun and Chioma a happy married life, love and lasting peace.
Today, I remember my father, friend and mentor, Pa Olatunbosun Makinde, who passed eight years ago in July 2012. His memory remains in my heart now and always.
We were in Ondo State this afternoon to commiserate with my brother, His Excellency
@RotimiAkeredolu
and the people of Owo and Ondo over the gun attack at St Francis Catholic Church. We also visited the victims who survived in the hospital where they are receiving treatment.
This evening, we held the lying in state and service of songs for my mother, Chief (Mrs) Abigail Omojolagbe Amope Makinde (nee Omoregie). I feel privileged because I got to share nearly fifty-three years of my life with her, and I'll treasure the beautiful memories I have of her.
Today, we welcomed His Excellency, Barrister Bayo Lawal to the Oyo State Executive Council after he was sworn in as the new Deputy Governor. At the event, I stated that the position of a Deputy Governor is a position of trust and that our masters are the people of Oyo State.
We received the newly appointed Commissioner of Police for Oyo State, Ngozi Onadeko and her entourage who paid us a courtesy visit, this afternoon. I welcomed them to Oyo State.
This afternoon, we commissioned the Ilaju Garri Processing Factory in Ido LGA. This facility is one of the many assets of the state government which had been left moribund for years. The resuscitation is led by Ido (Ibadan) Cooperative Society and supported by our administration.
One of my goals this year is to read more. I am currently reading Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari. I share my thoughts on what I am reading and lessons I have learnt in business, governance and politics in my biweekly newsletter. You can sign up here
It was a privilege to listen to former Governor of Anambra State,
@PeterObi
, who delivered the Keynote Address titled, 'Building a Robust Economy with Scarce Resources,' at the Oyo State Government Executive Governance Review 2020, this morning.
Today, we visited the Akufo Farm Settlement, one of the two farm settlements to be upgraded into farm estates. Right now, there are private investors there producing 500 tonnes of tomatoes per week. Even at that, there's a large gap between this production & what we need locally.
I was so sorry to hear the news of the passing away of the immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi which sad event took place earlier today.
This afternoon, we met with traditional rulers, caretaker chairmen of local government and local council development areas and clerics, to discuss the way forward for our dear state following the End SARS protests and subsequent events.
I have designated Prof Temitope Alonge, former Chief Medical Director of the University College, Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while I recover fully. Please continue to comply with all the directives from the COVID-19 Task Force. Stay home, stay safe.