A two-time Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Onikepo Akande, has credited the successes of Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, to his thorough preparedness before assuming office.
Dr. Akande, who is the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadanland, made this known in an interview with The People’s Verdict. She noted that Makinde’s campaigns were well-structured around development blueprints—the Oyo State Roadmap to Accelerated Development 2019–2023 and the Oyo State Roadmap to Sustainable Development 2023–2027—which have formed the foundation of his administration.
According to Akande, a former President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
“Makinde is a performing governor who came prepared and continues to serve the people with humility, integrity, and transparency.”
She commended Makinde’s inclusive leadership style, stating:
“How Governor Makinde has spread physical and public works across all the zones of the state is absolutely laudable. He carries every stakeholder along, including traditional rulers, women, and other interest groups, especially people living with disabilities.”
Praising his attention to workers’ and pensioners’ welfare, she added:
“He is the people’s governor. I am particularly impressed by the way he has stood out in terms of workers’ and pensioners’ welfare, which has in turn boosted the people’s purchasing power. He is a highly performing and people-oriented governor.”
On economic performance under his leadership, Akande remarked:
“The economy has grown tremendously. Recently, Nairametrics rated Oyo State second only to Lagos in Value Added Tax (VAT) contribution to the federal coffers. The Makinde administration has also boosted the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N1.8bn in 2019 to N6bn in 2024. This is incredible and laudable.
The governor has also transformed Fasola Farm Estate into an industrial hub. As a former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, I know that industrialisation is the key to economic development, employment generation, and poverty alleviation.”
She encouraged Governor Makinde to stay committed to his vision, stating:
“Governor Seyi Makinde is a transformational achiever whose life has been that of service and honour. He has touched many lives, including mine, in many positive ways. I congratulate him. His legacy is assured.”
Also commenting, the Olori of Oba Murtala Adebayo Akande praised the governor’s achievements across various sectors, summing up her verdict:
“Governor ‘Seyi Makinde is doing extremely well.”
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