The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Oyo State chapter, Honourable Nwabunike Okey Umeh, has described Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, as an outstanding leader who has greatly improved the lives of residents and transformed the state.
Umeh said this during an interview with The People’s Verdict.
According to him, “I have been in Oyo State for over 30 years and I can tell you that the administration of ‘Seyi Makinde has been outstanding by my own assessment, and I want to tell you that most people also have the same thing to say, if we want to be sincere with ourselves.”
He added: “The reality is that he has been a very wonderful governor and the people of Oyo State can as well testify to this. One thing about him is that he is a silent cruiser. He doesn’t make noise in his approach to things.”
Going into specifics, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo said: “During COVID-19, Makinde’s approach to the outbreak was quite unique and outstanding. You know that then, other governors rushed to close down markets and shut down businesses, but Oyo State governor didn’t do that. He ensured that the people didn’t suffer because of the situation. We felt it that we had an enlightened governor, a governor with foresight.”
Buttressing his point, Umeh said, “Our people have a proverb that there is a music that if you don’t dance with your legs, you will nod with your head. That is the administration of ‘Seyi Makinde for you. If you are not dancing to his music with your legs, you are nodding to it with your head because you are feeling it in all sectors.
“Talk about infrastructure, talk about security, talk about peace, talk about cordiality amongst the people, these are the initiatives of a good leader that you can feel.
“It is not that I am exaggerating. It is not that I am campaigning. He has really impacted lives with his leadership in so many areas. Look at the real estate in Oyo State, he has improved that. Look at his ‘zero pothole policy’, everybody is admiring and enjoying it. My friends came from Lagos during my inauguration as President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Oyo State chapter, and said, ‘Ibadan is overtaking Lagos if care is not taken.’ That is the initiative of our amiable governor.”
He added, “Look at the Light Up Oyo State project that he is doing. Before his administration, we had instances where people broke into the shops of our people to loot those shops at night. But since the Light Up project started, the security situation has improved; such incidences are no more taking place. Even the night life has improved drastically. So, people who are into night life business are prospering. Makinde’s policies are people-oriented and friendly. So, we can say that ‘Yes, we have immensely benefitted from his policies.’
“Look at the education sector. See what he is doing with the basic education system. Look at the way he is employing teachers and making public schools to be coming up to compete with private schools. Seeing is believing. We know how he has improved the education system in Oyo State.”
The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Oyo State chapter, noted that a cordial relationship exists between the governor and the Igbo community in the state. This, according to him, is because the governor takes the Igbo people in Oyo State as his children.
He continued, “The governor is a detribalized person; he is not someone who is moved by sentiments. He sees all the subjects under his leadership as one, and he has been so mindful and caring not just about the Igbo people, I know it transcends to other ethnic nationalities in the state. This is why there is peaceful coexistence among the indigenes of Oyo State and the non-indigenes.”
On the benefits the Igbo community in the state has derived from the Makinde administration, Umeh said, “It is fantastic to say that we have benefitted more from the good works and the leadership style of the governor. He is a very pragmatic governor, he is a visionary governor.
“We know that the essence of good governance is peaceful coexistence, security of lives and properties and infrastructural development. You can see that all of these things are overwhelming in Oyo State. Since we are not segregated, as every other person is benefitting, so are we also benefitting.
“So, we really thank the governor for his good leadership style and openness to the people of Oyo State as well as the non-indigenes.”
He also noted that the Makinde administration has been instrumental to the growth of Igbo businesses in the state.
His words: “If a businessman is making policies that have to do with business, he is doing so from experience. Governor Makinde has done so many things and introduced policies that are friendly and have enhanced business existence in Oyo State, especially as it concerns the average Igbo man.
“See, for instance, the modern parks he has built. See the one at Iwo Road, it has helped the transportation system and enables our people to have a very good flow of traffic. The park has sieved off the hard boys and transformed them into being responsible because they are taking up responsibilities that are government-oriented. Everybody can see now. Instead of being non-state actors, they are working for the state.
“All these things, directly or indirectly, are benefitting the average Igbo man that is doing business in Oyo State. So, we have benefitted immensely.”
Honourable Umeh’s final submission: “Makinde is an excellent governor. He is not just bearing the ‘His Excellency’ title, his own Excellency is real. We can all see that he is His Excellency both in the workings and the name.”
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