Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Wednesday, told
residents of the state not to accord his government for what it has been able
to achieve so far any accolade, just as he said, it was not his personal money
that is being spent on those projects, but that of the people of the state.
The governor made this known, during the 7th annual Ramadan
Lecture, held at the Government House Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan.
Makinde opined that it is only God that gives power and
there is no one that can clinch power by him or herself, adding that being the
governor of the state was by the grace of God and efforts of the Christians and
Muslims in the state.
He said: “Where I was seated there, I was listening to the guest lecturer while delivering his sermon. Several people have gone there to speak and they tried to defend me and the government. I want to let you know that I did not give them that assignment
“I will like to point
out two major things today. The first thing is, only God gives power and there
is no one that can clinch power by him or herself. Being the governor of Oyo
State today is by the grace of God and the efforts of the Christians and
Muslims in the state. I do say it that I come from a Muslim family.”
“So, I have always
known that I need to do what is right and needful, irrespective of either
religious or political leaning. We may have different leaning or inclination
through religion or politics. I don’t even want anyone to give me accolade that
my administration has been able to achieve so, so and so because it is not my
money that is being spent on these projects but that of the people of Oyo
State.”
“Recently, I went with Baba Ladoja to inspect an Asphalt
plant project at Ijaye, which he started when he was the governor but the
government that came on board after him abandoned it. Baba also used the money
of the state to commence the project then. So, my point is, if we already spent
the money of the state, we must try to get value for the people of the state
and that is exactly how we will continue to run this government.”
“For those talking about the second term, I want to say that
it is only God that has the knowledge of the number of years everyone will
spend on earth let alone in power. So, let us continue to pray to seek God’s
guidance on whatever we do. It is the will of God that we want to prevail.”
“This Ramadan Lecture is to avail us the opportunity to feed
our people with teaching of the spirit because if I come for a lecture like
this, I always like to go back home with something meaningful. I don’t just
want to go home with requests or a medley of things that are going on in our
state’s politics. No, I want to go with what can abide with me till I will join
my ancestors.”
“Finally, some people came to meet me and said some certain
persons are toying with the government we are supposed to deal with them. My
final word is, tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness. Another
person even came to meet me that the people of Oyo State deserve to be treated
with iron hands. But I am very sorry to say I am not wicked because I believe
that if we approach the challenges, which we met on the ground tactically and
calmly, it will be a manifestation of strength and resolution for us. That is
the only way that every one of us can get what belongs to us
“Of course, our
country is faced with all kinds of challenges, particularly the issue of
insecurity and ethnic/religious crisis. Farmers/herdsmen crisis also spring up
almost on a daily basis but I thank you for not allowing all the challenges to
affect our attitudes to those living together with us. And I believe this is
part of why this state is still peaceful.”
“I want to urge you to continue to pray for this government.
In this month of Ramadan, let us be merciful and continue to reach out to those
around us,” the governor pleaded.
While speaking on the Ramadan lectured themed: “Unity In
Diversity: An Islamic Perspective, the guest lecturer, who is also the Dean,
Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Prof. Abdulhafiz Oladosu, maintained
that there are various advantages of unity in diversity, noting that people with
certain differences would interact and respect different opinions.
According to him, unity in diversity helps in solving social
problems and promotes a peaceful living.
“Religions offer a unified vision of reality because God is
one and the reality which He created must have unity and integrity,” he said.
Prof. Oladosu, however, urged people, irrespective of
religious affinities, to shun greediness, injustice discontentment, and
self-centeredness, which he said, would inhibit peaceful co-existence in the country.
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