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From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State, as well as a former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, have harped on the need for good governance in Nigeria that would culminate in a turnaround transformation of the country.
They made the disclosure on Thursday in their separate remarks during the flag-off of the construction of a new Government Reservation Area (GRA) and the 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road, that have been named after Rashidi Ladoja, who is the current Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland in commemoration of his 78th birthday, at kilometre 8, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan.
The ceremony was also graced by the deputy governor of the state, Adebayo Lawal; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli-Okunmade II; the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olabisi; the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; and top government officials.
Makinde, in his remarks, explained that the two projects were flagged off to celebrate Ladoja, who is an elder statesman and has contributed immensely to the development of the state.
He noted that the circular road was conceived by Ladoja’s administration between 2003 and 2007 in the state, adding that the administration of a former governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, also worked on circular road. He added that the road would boost the economic activities and increase the revenue base of the state, when completed.
Makinde stated further that the first phase of the road, which is 32 kilometres would be completed within the next 12 months. He noted that the entire circular road connects six local government areas in Ibadan, which are Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele and Ido Local Government Areas.
Ortom, who presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja G.R.A. Road, lauded Makinde, saying: “This is not the first project you have completed. You have done well. I was wondering how you’ve been getting fund for these projects. And the take home is that I will also try to get funding for the sake of incoming government after my tenure for the sake of our people.”
Ortom, however, told Makinde to be prepared for an invitation from the Benue State Government, to commission and launch a project that would strengthen the bond of relationship between the two states.
Ladoja, in his remarks, thanked Makinde for deeming it fit to honour him with the two projects. He also commended him for resuscitating many of the projects that were abandoned or not completed by previous administrations.
He noted that governors must be dreamers, and they must be capable of having high dreams to advance their states. He, however, described Makinde as a dreamer, who has the love of the good people of Oyo State at heart.
According to him, “I am delighted that my governor is consulting, and he will keep doing it. Every representative ought to engage their constituents before starting any project. Let the people you are governing be aware of what you are doing and they need to be consulted on how to make their constituency better.
“I will be available for the service of Oyo State anytime you need me, and I will keep praying that God will henceforth give us the governor that only loves the people of Oyo State.”
