The Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland and cultural icon, Oloye Lekan Alabi, has described Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, as a pragmatic and humble leader committed to the development of his people and the state.
Alabi, who once served as Press Secretary to four former governors of old Oyo State, including Chief Bola Ige and General Oladayo Popoola, made these remarks during an interview with The People’s Verdict.
According to the Ibadan Senior Chief, Governor Makinde’s humanitarian efforts long predate his assumption of office.
“Before he became the governor, he was helping widows, the poor and the weak from his private pocket, giving scholarships and all that through his Omituntun Foundation. Till today, my perception of Governor Makinde is that of a pragmatist, somebody who puts things down on the drawing table, analyzing the pros and the cons with his engineering background. He is also a philanthropist — someone who is humble and reliable,” Alabi stated.
Highlighting the governor’s achievements, Alabi noted that Makinde’s commitment to infrastructure development is proof of his desire to uplift Oyo State.
“For him and his government to have devoted attention to providing infrastructure — such as motorable roads, potable water, and reliable power supply — shows that this is a pragmatist who wants development for the state and its people,” he said.
Alabi, who is also the first Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum and Monuments in Ile Ife, Osun State, singled out the reconstruction of the Bashorun-Akobo-Ashi Road as a landmark project that personally affected his daily life.
“I have been a resident on this estate for almost 30 years. We knew what we faced before that Bashorun-Akobo-Ashi Road and the General Gas Bridge were opened. We could spend up to two hours crawling between BCOS, Ile Akede, and Bashorun Market. Since the road was completed, we’ve been freed from those traffic hold-ups,” he said.
Alabi emphasized the importance of recognizing good leadership. “We must tell the truth. If somebody does well, please praise him. God himself admonishes us to do that. Governor Makinde has done well in engineering the society, particularly in the area of infrastructure,” he affirmed.
On welfare, the veteran journalist lauded Makinde for the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, even while acknowledging that salary payment is a statutory duty of government.
“As a journalist, in and out of government, I stand by the fact that we shouldn’t praise governments for paying salaries and allowances. Are they paying from their private pockets? But at the same time, why are some governments still owing? I give that to him too and his government,” he said.
He also commended the governor’s job creation efforts, noting that recent mass recruitment of graduates would reduce poverty and improve livelihoods.
Speaking on security, Alabi endorsed the state’s investment in local policing.
“I support the creation of state police forces because they are the closest to the grassroots. I commend the Oyo State Government under Governor Makinde and the other Oodua State governments for the Amotekun initiative,” he said.
Reflecting on the governor’s recognition by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Alabi added, “With due respect to Kabiyesi Olubadan, as his Senior Chief, I can say with authority that if Governor Makinde had not done us proud, would he have been bestowed with the honour he has been given? I am always amazed by his humility — he relates well with people. I see him as somebody well brought up.”
The Maye Olubadan concluded by praising Makinde’s efforts to upgrade the Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan.
“Look at what he is doing with the airport, which is being upgraded to international standards. That means from Ibadan we can fly to London, Jerusalem, and Saudi Arabia. It is a good thing,” he said.
