Is Seyi Makinde worth the hype?
Seyi Makinde, the sixth governor of Oyo state since Nigeria get its way into democratic rule, has enjoyed decent panegyrics from Nigerians, home, and the diaspora for his 2 years colossal change of politics. However, with all these showers of praise, does he really worth the hype?
Seyi Makinde, the sixth governor of Oyo state since Nigeria get its way into democratic rule, has enjoyed decent panegyrics from Nigerians, home, and the diaspora for his 2 years colossal change of politics. However, with all these showers of praise, does he really worth the hype?
Education
It is not a piece of news to say Oyo state once have the highest number of out-of-school children in southwest Nigeria; recently, under his 2 years in government, the state now has the biggest education spending allocation of 22.4% of the 2020 budget, topping the federal government’s 15%.
More so, a few records from the finance ministry showed that last year the state increased education spending to 10% from the previous 4% and provided an N526 million grant to all primary and secondary schools to be disbursed term by term.
Seyi Makinde was able to consummate the free education of the Jakande government in Lagos; that students in public school should pay anything.
A close look at how he reduced Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) tuition fee by 25% despite being the lowest among state-owned universities in the country too is commendable.
Health
We flagged off the Free Health Mission of our administration at Local Authority Primary School, Agede, Kisi, Irepo Local Government Area, this afternoon. The aim of the mission is to ensure that poor and vulnerable people in Oyo State have access to medical care. pic.twitter.com/0FHK0fBAI8
— Seyi Makinde (@seyiamakinde) March 16, 2020
Recent reports also showed that the state is tremendously investing in the health sector; lately, not less than 250,000 people benefitted from the free health mission, organized by his government. More so, the beneficiaries were treated on ailments like hernia, surgical operations for appendicitis, and child delivery.
Security
Oyo state recently has been bedevilled with a bitter taste of insecurity such as herdsmen, Fulani and indigenes in community clash as we have been experiencing in the northern region. A security situation that is alien to the state but has become a cross they must carry.
But the alacrity with which Seyi handles the insecurity, kidnapping and all vices in the state is commendable. As part of his effort to nib this stroke of insecurity in the bud, he assured of his resolution not to shy away from governance and provision of adequate security for the lives and property irrespective of constraints.
Minimum Wage
Undoubtedly, Oyo state still owes some workers months of salary; though, one can say these are some of the effects of the past administration on the way workers are treated. Makinde has been described as a worker’s friendly when compared with previous administrations in the state. Recently he announced that his government is paying N30,500 minimum wage to over 101,000 workers on the government payroll. This, however, despite meagre allocation from the federal government.
Many reconstructions have been ongoing in the state, such as renewal of stadium, roads and street electricity etc all point to a direction of genuine success from his part.
The Seyi Makinde’s government is like a determined horse for a rough race; no doubt he is well-loved by the people but the continued drunkenness of such by him may give hangover. He needs to step up the game to the utmost height.
