Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has been praised as a transformative and people-focused leader whose administration has significantly improved youth empowerment, tourism development, and infrastructure in the state.
Speaking in an interview with The People’s Verdict, Comrade Zainab Popoola, Chief Executive Officer of ZEnergy Tours, commended the governor’s inclusive governance style and visionary leadership.
“My governor is a transformative leader. You can see that Oyo State is already becoming one of the best in Nigeria, if not number one as we speak,” Popoola stated. “Governor Seyi Makinde is a transformative leader and I pray the Almighty God will give him more strength.”
An advocate of inclusivity and youth participation, Popoola emphasized the governor’s commitment to youth empowerment, describing him as youth-friendly and forward-thinking.
“My governor is someone that cares about the masses. He promotes youth-centered policies and empowerment. He supports the aspirations of young people by putting them in positions of authority,” she said.
She highlighted the appointment of the first youth commissioner in Oyo State’s Ministry of Youth and Sports as a milestone achievement, noting how it bridges the gap between young citizens and government.
“Young people can now easily approach the commissioner and share ideas. This kind of access is unprecedented,” she added.
Popoola also praised initiatives such as the Youth Empowerment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP), which she described as a life-changing opportunity for youths passionate about agribusiness. According to her, YEAP has combined training and empowerment, enabling young people to turn skills into viable enterprises.
She further noted the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme, through which the state government has supported food security and provided loans to youths trained in agribusiness.
In addition to these, she pointed to the Oyo State Youth Agency and the Oyo State Youth Summit as key platforms driving youth engagement and development across the state.
Popoola, who operates in the tourism sector, also commended Makinde’s efforts in making Oyo a top tourism destination in Nigeria.
“Oyo State is actually one of the best tourism states in Nigeria,” she said. “There are many growing opportunities and destinations, all thanks to our governor. In his first term, he fixed infrastructure that promotes tourism.”
She cited the newly opened Olubadan Palace in Ibadan as an example of tourism-focused development. Visitors, she said, can now explore Ibadan’s rich history, from the time of its founder Lagelu to the 44th Olubadan soon to be inaugurated.
“Outside Ibadan, we have the world’s only suspended lake and other great sites. Our governor has made the Ministry of Culture and Tourism a working one. The infrastructure is excellent, and security, from the police to the Amotekun Corps, is top-notch.”
Concluding, Popoola described Makinde as “people-focused,” with remarkable achievements in security, education, technology, and tourism.
“Governor Makinde has done excellently well across many sectors, and his legacy is already speaking for itself,” she affirmed.
