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Governor Seyi Makinde felicitates Lekan Alabi @70

…says govt is ready to tap from his wealth of experience

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde on Tuesday felicitated with the Ekefa Olubadan, Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi, on the occasion of 70th Birthday, describing him as an asset to the State.

The governor, who stated this while receiving the Chief Lekan Alabi and the planning committee for his 70th Birthday anniversary, at the Executive Chamber, Secretariat, Ibadan, who came to present the copies of his biography to him.

The governor, while congratulating the Chief, said his administration will need him and would equally be ready to tap from his wealth of experience to take the State to the greater height.

According to him: “I want to congratulate Ekefa Olubadan at 70 is not something small. So, I want to congratulate you on behalf of the government and the good people of Oyo State on the attainment of that age. My prayer is that you will live long. I wish you many happy returns in good health.

“We need you to assist us and I have been tapping you to come and help us strengthening the Protocol Unit here, even if it is just training for the people out there.”

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The governor prayed to God to continue to grant Chief Alabi good health so as to contribute tremendously to the growth of the nation and Oyo state through selfless service.

“God will bless your new age. You will do 80. You will do 90. I have not read the booklet but I will read it and come back with whatever comment that I have.

“We are extremely lucky in Ibadan and Oyo State because the University of Ibadan used to be the intellectual capital of the continent. So, when we see products that have interacted with that institution, we know that they are usually very sound. And that is why we pray that God will make you live long. Then, you will still be able to contribute to the progress of Oyo State.” He said.

“At 70, you are not getting old. You are only getting mature. We could not plan for this. As we were managing the COVID-19, #EndSARS protests came in and it was a double worry for us. Apart from the fact that we had to deal with the pandemic, we also had to deal with the economic meltdown. Nigeria is a mono-product economy. The pandemic, protests, everything rolled together. So, how do you expect people to gather to celebrate you at this moment?

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“But if you still want us to form merriment, we will still come. We will welcome the opportunity to come around and celebrate you. You have done very well and we are proud of you,” the governor added.

He said that the contribution of Chief Lekan Alabi cannot be overemphasized in the State, assuring that He (Chief Alabi) would be one of the recipients of the Oyo State merit award when the State institutes Oyo State Merit Award.

“I am looking forward to the Honorable Commissioner and his team to institute Oyo State Merit Award for Oyo State, you can be sure that before we count one to ten in Oyo state, you will be one of them.

“I look forward to that coming very soon and I look forward to the state having the opportunity to celebrate you and to celebrate with you. On that note, I say thank you to every one of you,” the governor remarked.

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Earlier, the celebrant, Chief Lekan Alabi, said his visitation was to present the copies of his autobiography to his Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde.

According to him, “We were prepared for Tuesday, October 27th for the celebration of my 70th birthday. Last Monday, the family met and decided that I should announce to the world that I was suspending the grand ceremony because of our concern for the safety of our guests and the memory of those who were killed or injured in the protests all over the country. But since today is my birthday, I that you should please grant me the audience to present my biography to you.

“You have honored us by giving us today for this visit and I will appreciate this forever. I thank you, Your Excellency.

“In a nutshell, your government is doing well, particularly your interface with the Oyo State protester,also we will like to commensurate with Makinde family for the passage of Mama Abigael Makinde. We pray that God will and all that she left behind will God protect. “He said.

IFRAME SYNC

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