Makinde an exemplary governor – NGE
By Adewale Owoade
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has praised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State as a shining example for other governors to emulate.
The NGE, comprising 72 journalists from various media houses across the country, visited the state to tour the numerous infrastructural projects undertaken by the Makinde administration.
The editors were impressed by the governor’s quality leadership style and his gender-friendly approach, evident in the appointment of women to critical positions in his administration.
During the tour, Governor Makinde showcased various projects, including the 11 megawatts alternative power project, the ongoing 110km circular road project, the Omololu Olunloyo park, and the 65km Ibadan-Iseyin road.
The governor assured that by the end of his second term, his administration will hand over a roadmap for sustainable development in Oyo State beyond 2027.
He also offered $1,000 to any journalist who could find a pothole on the newly constructed 65km Ibadan-Iseyin road, but none was found.
Recall, only last week, President Bola Tinubu, represented by his Vice, Kashim Shettima, came to commission the 76.67km road that links Iseyin to Ogbomoso, making a total of 142km stretch of State road.
At the event, presidency said that history will be kind to the Governor of Oyo State.
At Fashola farm, the governor took the visitors on about 2km walk within the farm as they came in close contact with the reality of the various landmark investments in Agribusiness that quality governance has produced.
Obviously, what the governor is doing is to re-enact the potentials of the old Fashola farms which was established by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
According to the Director-General, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, OYSADA, Dr. Debo Akande, the Agribusiness template in Oyo State is currently being employed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, across many countries of the world.
The editors, including an On-Air-Personality with AriseTV and a popular columnist, Dr. Reuben Abati, who praised Governor Makinde’s performance, while the President of the NGE, Mr. Eze Anaba, describing his governance as a template for other state governors.
The editors also commended the governor’s reading habit, with Mr. Anaba expressing surprise that some governors still read widely.
The visit was seen as a testament to Governor Makinde’s commitment to transparency and accountability, and the editors urged the people to support his administration’s efforts to develop the state.
Among the NGE that came, we have the Managing Director, the Sun Newspapers, Onuoha Ukeh; the MD, Nigerian Tribune Group of Newspapers, Edward Dickson; the MD, ThisDay Newspapers, Eniola Bello; the MD, The Nation Newspapers, Victor Ifijeh.
The MD, New Telegraph Newspapers, Ayo Aminu; Editor of the Guardian, Dr Femi Adekoya; Editor of The Punch, Dayo Oketola; Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Debo Abdullahi; Editor, Saturday Tribune, Dr Lasisi Lagunju.
Editor, Sunday Tribune, Shina Oladeinde; Editor, ThisDay on Saturday, Chima Obinna; Editor, Saturday Sun, Tope Adeboboye; Arise News AOP/Newspaper Columnist, Dr Reuben Abati; the General Manager, Channels Television, Ambrose Okoh; TVC AOP, Babajide Otitoju, and many more.
