State-of-the-state Address: Makinde Lists Achievements In Education, Health, Others. • To Purchase Aircraft For Aerial Surveillance
Oyo state governor, engineer Seyi Makinde says arrangements have been concluded to purchase two aircrafts for aerial security surveillance in the state.
Governor Makinde made this known while speaking during his state of the state address at a special plenary to mark the second anniversary of the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly.
The governor who said the Nigerian Air force has been notified about the development and has expressed readiness to collaborate with the state on the execution, disclosed that the unveiling of the aircraft would be in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Oyo state.
Governor Makinde who highlighted his achievements in the last one year to include investment in agriculture, health, road construction and the ongoing upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akinola Airport to international standard, promised to complete Eruwa Ibadan road before the expiration of his administration
He said “Mr Speaker Sir, Honourable Members of the House, for the past five years, we have reiterated our strategy to interconnect all zones in the State before proceeding with construction and reconstruction of feeder roads,
“In December 2024, our administration made history with the commissioning of the first phase of the Oyo State-Elektron Energy 11MW Independent Power Project (IPP). For the first time, in our 49 years as a State, the Oyo State Secretariat is being powered 24/7 by this IPP and power supply from it is now being extended to surrounding communities. This marks a critical shift toward energy independence for our dear State.
“The Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub was redesignated by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as Nigeria’s first Agricultural Transformation Centre, a proud endorsement of our strategic direction to foster economic growth.
“This development caught global attention, including that of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, who made history as the first sitting foreign president to visit Oyo State and see Fasola. This visit was facilitated by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) – our strategic partners in agribusiness.
“Over the last year, we began the upgrade of classroom blocks in 105 schools in rural communities, under the World Bank supported Better Education Service Delivery for All Additional Finance; Transforming Education Systems at States Level (BESDA AF-TESS) programme to close the urban-rural education gap. All upgrades of the classroom blocks in the105 schools have been completed and are now in use by our children.
“Also, in the last year, we completed the recruitment of over 14,000 teaching and non-teaching staff into the system. We are reducing the manpower shortage in the basic and secondary education sector, with renewed focus on curriculum alignment, teacher motivation, and digital learning tools in selected schools. We believe that no child should be left behind because of where they were born.
“Additionally, starting this year 2025, we embarked on the upgrade of 100 schools cross the State, 36 of which are currently ongoing. We will continue to upgrade education infrastructure to reduce the infrastructure deficit.
” On health, the Omituntun Free Health Mission, now in its fifth year, continues to deliver free medical outreach to underserved communities — with thousands receiving screenings, treatment, and referrals at no cost. So far this year, over 18,000 residents of Oyo State in the 33 Local Government Areas have benefitted from this project.
“Our Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) upgrade programme is ongoing, ensuring that residents in all zones have access to reliable, affordable care closer to home. Having upgraded over 209 PHCs under Omituntun 1.0, we equipped 264 PHCs including the upgraded ones across the State. We are currently upgrading 106 PHCs in all 33 Local Government Areas.
“We have also been recruiting healthcare workers for both the primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the State.
“Judging from the feedback we have received, we are getting this right. For instance, Madam Tosin Segun from Ita Merin, Ibadan South East LGA who attended the Omituntun Free Health Mission said she was expecting that they would ask her to pay. In her words, “When I got here, nobody asked for one naira. They didn’t ask me to bring any money. It was a surprise to me.”
Governor Makinde added that the state is currently grappling with a steep increase in its foreign debt repayment obligations, which have increased from seventy billion naira to over three hundred billion naira, due to exchange rate volatility.
In an address, speaker of the house, Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin said the 10th assembly has remained proactive, people-driven and result-oriented, having passed thirty-two out of thirty- four Bills, with the remaining two at Committee stage undergoing critical scrutiny.
Mr Ogundoyin said the House Committees have presented no fewer than 102 Committee reports, setting a record for policy analysis and institutional reforms.
