The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced a cabinet reshuffle.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Governor Makinde has relieved the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo, of her appointment with immediate effect.
Professor Musibau Adetunji Babatunde has been appointed as the new Secretary to the State Government.
The statement further said that Temilolu Seun Ashamu has been moved from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
Also, Governor Makinde has announced his Senior Special Assistant on Public Works, Ademola Aderinto, as a commissioner-designate. He will consequently be presented to the Oyo State House of Assembly for screening.
The statement also announced the appointment of Honourable Abiodun Adedoja as Special Adviser on Energy Security and Kolawole Elijah Akanmu as Senior Special Assistant on Budget and Economic Planning. (Channels)
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has congratulated the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on the occasion of his 58th birthday, describing him as “a leader who demonstrates the rare combination of thinking and doing.”
Alaafin conveyed the congratulatory message in a Thursday statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.
Alaafin expressed that Makinde has exhibited the quality of a good leader who has the courage not only to take actions but also to face the consequences of his actions.
Oba Owoade commended Makinde as a leader with a vision, courage and competence, underscoring his believes in probity as a factor for steady growth in Oyo State.
Owoade said, “Governor Makinde is more interested in people who can sustain his institutional reforms and other legacies and not in his own personal preferences.
“If you are brilliant, truthful and hardworking, he will work with you. He runs an inclusive government but you can only get something from him if you key into his vision of RTR, meaning reformation, transformation and repositioning. Makinde is a true believer who fears God and in tune with the spirit of the word of God . He is not arrogant, uncouth, and incoherent.”
Alaafin said that the State will always be grateful to Governor Makinde as the purveyor of unprecedented achievements that have far-reaching effects on the lives of the people.
Oba Owoade therefore prayed God to grant Gov. Makinde long life, good health and divine guidance in the arduous tasks ahead of him. (TVCNews)
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said he regrets supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, admitting that the decision did not produce the outcome he had hoped for.
Makinde made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking with journalists at the Government House in Ibadan.
The governor was one of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors — popularly known as the G5 — who openly worked against their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 polls.
The group, led by then Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, opposed Atiku’s candidacy over zoning concerns, arguing that the PDP should have presented a southern presidential candidate following the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.
Makinde said his decision to back Tinubu, who was then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was based on the belief that he would act in the national interest if elected.
“I said it earlier, I’m human. I supported the current president, even though in another party at that time, because I thought we’ll do what is right for the country,” Makinde said.
He added that he believed the president would “reset the country” and bring together competent individuals from across Nigeria to address the nation’s challenges.
“But unfortunately, that is not what we’re seeing. I regret that action. Yes, I do,” the governor stated.
Citing concerns over the survival of democracy and the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor vowed that President Tinubu won’t have his support in the coming 2027 presidential election.
Makinde also disclosed the reason behind his political disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to him, the rift between him and Wike began after the minister told Tinubu during a meeting that he would “hold PDP” for the President ahead of the 2027 election, a statement Makinde said was made without the consent of other party stakeholders.
“I was in a meeting with the President and Wike and a few others, and Wike said to the President that I will hold PDP for you against 2027,” Makinde said. “So, we got up, and I asked Wike, did we agree to this?”
Makinde noted that while Wike is entitled to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, other members of the party also have the right to protect the PDP and oppose any move that could weaken democratic pluralism. (Vanguard)
Governors of the South-West states on Monday held a closed-door meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The meeting was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who is also the Chairman of the regional forum.
Others included Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and the host governor, Seyi Makinde (Oyo).
Channels Television reports that the venue of the meeting is the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, where Makinde’s office is situated.
Although it is unclear why the emergency meeting was called, it may, however, not be unconnected with the security situation in the country where bandits have abducted some schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states, as well as some worshippers in a church in Kwara State.
Sources said the governors would deliberate on the security threats, fast-track infrastructural development, and strengthen regional integration under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
They are also expected to review ongoing collaborative security initiatives, including the operations of the Amotekun Corps, with a view to enhancing its capacity amid emerging challenges. (Channels)
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has formally presented the staff and certificate of office to Oba Rashidi Ladoja, officially confirming him as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The presentation took place at exactly 3:05 p.m. on Friday during a colourful and historic coronation ceremony held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
The coronation, held at Mapo Hall, was attended by notable dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, further highlighting the cultural and political importance of the event.
Makinde’s formal presentation of the staff and certificate of office marks the final step in legitimising Ladoja’s ascension to the throne, symbolising both tradition and continuity in Ibadan’s monarchy.
This coronation is especially notable as it brings a former state governor into a revered royal role, merging political experience with traditional leadership at a time when community influence and governance are increasingly intertwined.
Makinde, while speaking, said, “This is a momentous occasion in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the presence of people, and in the presence of God.
“In exercise of the power conferred on me as the Governor, I hereby present the staff of office to Oba, His Imperial Majesty, Senator, Governor, Engineer, my Baba, His Imperial Majesty, Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1st.
“This is in confirmation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. I am so present.” (Punch)
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has received the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Certificate for the Sango Festival in Oyo.
The Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The certificate presentation was a sequel to the festival, making it to the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity upon the proposal made by Nigeria.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa had presented the certificate to the Oyo State Government on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival in Oyo town.
Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, who received the certificate on behalf of the state, presented it to the state governor during the Oyo State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
While presenting the certificate to the governor, Dr Olatubosun lauded him for his commitment and unwavering support to all cultural and tourism activities in the state, which eventually paid off and turned the Sango Festival into an international event.
“After the inscription dated 5th December, 2023, Oyo State and Oyo town had the maiden edition of the World Sango Festival in August, 2024 in a grand style with attendance of people from all walks of life as well as envoys from various countries and embassies, and the just concluded 2025 World Sango festival was not an exemption, as there was an improvement on the year 2024 edition,” the Olatunbosun said.
Responding, Governor Makinde expressed his appreciation to the commissioner and his team, saying that their efforts culminated in the recognition of the festival by UNESCO. (Punch)
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