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Seyi Makinde: Celebrating 100 Days of Immeasurable Achievements
By Eric Elezuo
His road to becoming the executive governor of Oyo State on May 29, 2019 was everything divine, little wonder he has not looked back in attempting to do and doing the right thing for the people of the state. His name is Engineer Abiodun Oluwaseyi Makinde. He has just clocked 100 days on the seat of administration and has an avalanche of reference-able achievements in his 100 days kit. Here is a man who waved his immunity as governor, declaring that he wished to be held accountable even while still in office.
Born to a renowned teacher turned accountant, late Pa Olatubosun Makinde and Madam Abigail Makinde of Aigbofa Compound in Oja’ba, Ibadan, Makinde, popularly called GSM, who is the third child of the family, brought with him integrity, honesty, transparency and much more to governance. He gave stakeholders as well as detractors the shock of their lives when he boldly and publicly declared his N40 billion assets. Makinde’s action, which no one is yet to reciprocate or replicate, is a testimony of the fact that he made verifiable wealth, and is not in possession of any form of ‘skeleton’. Not only that, Makinde made a statement of where he is coming from and the destination his vision is set. And in 100 days, watchers and observers can tell the story better, of a man so endowed with wisdom and mission.
Set to celebrate 52 years on December 25, the businessman and philanthropist hit the ground running immediately he took the oath of office 100 days ago, and since then, has left no one in doubt as to the calibre of administration he is bringing to the table.
Down to earth, fearless and people oriented, Governor Seyi Makinde policies and pronouncements have set apart as one who knowns his onions. These have no doubt charted a veritable path to immeasurable success within a short space of time. His first step pointed towards security, and he did what most past governors and administrators of Oyo State could not muster enough courage to do – he proscribed the notorious National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). This singular act has brought easy calm to Ibadan and environs.
Makinde has also reviewed the Oyo State of N285 billion as approved by his predecessor to a more realistic N182 billion.
In 100 days, the subject matter expert on fluid and gas metering has established a foundation for an all encompassing four-point agenda for the expansion of the economy through the agriculture value chain, security, health and education.
Among many of his landmark efforts is the partnership with Agritech Company, Farmcrowdy for Agribusiness. He has put measures in place to revive the abandoned grain silo at Awe as well as conducted on the spot assessment of private owned agribusiness Venture-Ajila Farm and Shongai Farms in Port Novo Benin Republic for the purpose of collaborating with local and foreign agribusiness investors.
While he has procured 100 surveillance vehicles worth over N800 million to further strengthen the security agencies across the state, a new security architecture aimed at complementing the efforts of the police and other security operatives in fighting crime in every nook and cranny of Oyo state will soon be launched.
In education, GSM has cancelled all levies paid in public schools in Oyo State thereby reintroducing the free education policies of the Yoruba sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In addition, he approved the release of over N400 million for the provision of exercise books in all public schools across the state.
In Oyo State today, 25th has practically been deleted on the calendar, and replaced with GSM day. Any civil servant will confidently tell you that is the day his monthly salary is paid. Salaries are now regular, and payment is in full just as Pensioners gratuity is mandatorily paid monthly.
The youths are not left out as they have been massively empowered in his administration. A 32-year-old man is the speaker of the state House of Assembly, while a 27-year-old, Seun Fakorede, was appointed commissioner among others
Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde was born on December 25, 1967. Quite an achiever, Makinde established his first oil and gas private business called Makon Engineering and Technical Services, (METS) at the age of 29 in the year 1997, after earning years of work experience with international oil and gas companies. Until August 2018, he was the Group Managing Director of Makon Group Limited; an indigenous oil and gas company in Nigeria.
Makinde began his education at St Paul Primary School and completed his primary education at St Michael Primary School, Yemetu, Ibadan. His secondary education was at Bishop Phillips Academy, Monatan, Ibadan. In 1985, he gained admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Makinde did his national service (NYSC) with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria, where he was later engaged as a pupil engineer. He served in different capacities; handling and partaking in several key projects between 1990 and 1992. From 1992 to 1997, he worked as a field Engineer (Eket operations) for Rebold International Limited and in 1995, he was appointed as Field Manager in the same company.
In 1998, he trained at Industrial Control Services in Houston, Texas on Safety Shutdown System; and Development of Analytical Competence for Managing Operations at Lagos Business School (now Pan-Atlantic University) in 1999. In 2000, he had training in automation. In 2002, he studied Fundamentals of Crude Sampling at Jiskoot Auto Control Training Centre, Kent, England. Also, in 2005, he studied Understanding and Solving Complex Business Problems at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
Makinde is a member of national and international professional bodies notably: Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Council for Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria(COREN), Oil and Gas Design Engineers of Nigeria (OGDEN), International Society of Automation (ISA), Institute of Measurement and Control UK; and American Measurement Institute (AMI).
GSM has had his fair share of political fortunes and misfortunes. On two occasions (2007 and 2011), he had unsuccessfully ran for the senatorial seat of Oyo South Senatorial zone
He tried his hands on the governorship pie in 2015 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), but lost out in the end. Undeterred, he tried again in 2019, and fortune smiled graciously on him. He defeated his APC rival with quite a huge margin
Makinde is happily married and they are blessed with children.
Headlines
‘Beer Parlour Fiction’: Fayose Gives Atiku 48Hrs to Disown Statement or He ‘Spills More Beans’
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has given former Vice President Atiku Abubakar a 48-hour ultimatum to publicly disown a statement he claimed and thought was issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, regarding a recent meeting in Minna, Niger State.
In a statement posted on his X account, Fayose expressed amusement at Ibe’s response to his earlier claims about the closed-door meeting involving Atiku, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former military president General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB).
Fayose had previously alleged that the gathering involved discussions on political alignments, including Makinde’s interest in a vice-presidential slot on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform for the 2027 elections, reportedly tied to financial commitments.
Fayose stated that he assumes Atiku did not authorize Ibe’s rebuttal, which dismissed his account as fabricated. “However, because of my respect for Atiku, I will want to assume that he did not authorise the press statement and I will expect that after seeing it, he will within 48 hours, cause a rebuttal to be issued on it,” Fayose wrote.
He warned that failure to disown the statement would leave him no choice but to disclose additional details from the Minna meeting.
“Should Atiku not publicly disown the statement within the next 48 hours, I will have no option but to spill more beans, the facilitators and executioners of the Minna meeting, particularly what was said about Wike, and by then, I will be doing so without any atom of respect for him,” Fayose added.
The development follows Fayose’s initial post detailing what he described as the “untold story” of the Minna encounter, which Atiku’s camp has rejected as “beer parlour fiction,” “reckless fabrication,” and baseless gossip. Atiku’s team, including aides like Phrank Shaibu and Paul Ibe, has denied any negotiations over vice-presidential tickets, financial contributions, or related deals, insisting no such discussions occurred.
Paul Ibe has since fired back at Fayose, mocking the ultimatum and questioning its basis, with reports indicating he described the 48-hour demand as excessively long and implying Fayose’s claims lack substance.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s opposition political circles ahead of the 2027 general elections, as figures like Atiku, Makinde, and others navigate potential alliances and party switches. Fayose’s threat to reveal more, including alleged comments about former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has intensified speculation about behind-the-scenes maneuvers.
Meanwhile, the said article by Amb Phrank Shauibu, and Paul Iba as Fayose erroneously assumed.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, of masterminding an attempt by security agencies to whisk him away at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday.
He made this known on Thursday night when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar paid him a solidarity visit at his residence.
While recounting his ordeal, he said that shortly after he returned from a trip to Cairo, Egypt, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), working with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), confronted him at the airport and tried to take him into custody.
He added that he initially thought the DSS officers were working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), only to later realise it was the ICPC.
“It turned out that it’s the ICPC that procured the DSS to abduct me and hand me over to them. The ICPC has never invited me.
“We now understand that it’s the ICPC, not the EFCC, that’s responsible for what happened today, and the ICPC chairman is acting on the direct orders of Nuhu Ribadu,” El-Rufai said.
Responding, Atiku expressed sympathy for the former governor and stressed the need for political unity ahead of the next general election.
He noted that opposition forces must organise themselves to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
“We must come together and form a very viable opposition because Tinubu is determined to turn Nigeria into a one-party state,” Atiku said.
Turkish Super Lig club, Galatasaray, have slapped an €80 million release clause on Victor Osimhen amid interest from Spanish giants Barcelona, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen has been one of the most prolific strikers in the world over the last four years. In fact, he only recently scored his 200th career goal.
Since his permanent move to Galatasaray, he has been the club’s poster boy due to his impressive performances. This season, he has contributed 15 goals and one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions for the Cimbom.
The Nigerian international has been particularly vital in the UEFA Champions League, where he has already netted six goals.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, however, as several top clubs continue to keep tabs on him.
The 27-year-old only joined Galatasaray last summer for a Turkish transfer record fee of €75 million, but many clubs in Europe’s top five leagues would fancy having him as their leading man.
Now, according to a report by Turkish outlet Haberlisin, Spanish giants Barcelona are plotting a move for Osimhen.
Why Barcelona want Osimhen
Barcelona’s current top striker is Robert Lewandowski, and the club is looking to move on from the veteran, who will turn 38 in August.
With second-choice striker Ferran Torres not considered a reliable long-term option, the Catalans are searching for a proper talisman to lead their line.
According to Haberlisin, Barcelona have made Osimhen a major target and are willing to go all out for him in the summer.
However, Galatasaray won’t let him leave for cheap. Having paid €75 million for his services just seven months ago, they will want to maximize their return on the transfer. Consequently, they have slapped a hefty €80 million price tag on the Super Eagles star.
Although they are one of the biggest clubs in the world, Barcelona might struggle to meet this valuation due to their ongoing financial troubles. However, over the last three years, they have managed to pull off several big-money deals.
For Osimhen, even though he loves life at Galatasaray and earns a Turkish-record salary, he likely still has eyes on playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
It remains to be seen how hard the Spanish giants will push to get this transfer over the line and whether Osimhen will be willing to go.
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