Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has emerged the Independent Newspaper’s 2024 Man of the Year.
The award was presented to him at a colourful ceremony, held at Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday night.
In a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser (Media), Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, at the ceremony, where the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, seven state governors, two serving ministers, several legislators, prominent politicians and captains of industry, bagged different awards, Governor Makinde was named Man of the Year, the peak of the awards.
According to the organisers, Governor Makinde was picked as Man of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contributions to governance, democracy, and infrastructure development.
Responding to the award presented by Chief Olabode George, chairman of the occasion, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, Governor Makinde’s Chief of Staff, who represented him at the event said, “On behalf of His Excellency, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, I dedicate this award to the great people of Oyo State—the true architects of this success. As the Governor has always said, ‘Governance should be about the people, and we remain committed to policies that improve lives, promote inclusivity, and ensure sustainable development.’
“Thank you, the independent Newspapers, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Governor Makinde, a serial award winner, was Nigerian Tribune’s 2019 Governor of the Year, Silverbird’s 2022 Man of the Year, Vanguard’s 2022 Governor of the Year and Leadership’s 2023 Governor of the Year, among others.
Makinde’s phenomenal transformation in the areas of infrastructure development, agribusiness, education, healthcare delivery, wealth creation, security, provision of employment opportunities, good governance and strengthening institutions, which have turned Oyo State to a model in many respects, has not escaped the attention of players and operators of the fourth estate of the realm who never cease to acknowledge and commend his novel approach to governance and leadership.
