The Executive Governors of Osun and Oyo, His Excellency, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde earlier today officially flagged off the Reconstruction of the 91km Osogbo – Iwo – Ibadan Road jointly awarded by Governments.
Speaking about the revolution happening in southwest Nigeria, Gov. Makinde said, “…I know that when you hear the word revolution, what you have in your head is maybe some bloody wars that lead to a change in the political order, but don’t be alarmed, I’m not here to preach about violence but rather talk about a different kind of revolution happening in the southwest of Nigeria, ably led by my brother, Gov. Oyetola and myself… this revolution has led us to change the former ways of doing things. In the past, it is to thy tent o Israel but with this new way of doing things, we are pursuing collaborations with our sister states. when we just came in, we started on this path with one of the biggest collaborations in the history of the southwest Nigeria. We all came together and decided on creating Amotekun, now coming here, I saw Amotekun of Osun and once you cross the border to Oyo, you will see Amotekun of Oyo and that’s how it is in the five out six states of southwest Nigeria.
This happened because we put our people first. Just about two years, we celebrated another win that resulted in this revolution…His Excellency governor Gbọyega Oyetola was a big part of that history. We were looking at our students wasting away; it was not just Oyo state students that were there, Osun students were there…A degree programme of 4years became 8 years because of ego. we had meetings and said let’s put our egos aside, and to the Glory of God we solved that problem .and I’m saying it without mincing words that if it were a PDP governor in Osun state that time, we couldn’t have done any better.
My brother said the flag-off is a fulfillment of his own campaign promise, let me also say, the ownership of LAUTECH is also a fulfillment of my campaign promise to the people of Oyo state, so it’s 1-1″
Makinde disclosed that while Osun awarded their session of the road for 11.3bn; Oyo state awarded its own section to 12.5bn which makes a total of about N24 billion.
Speaking of how the political class must practice politics of fairness, Makinde further said, “So the revolution we are leading is a revolution of thoughts, it’s a revolution of ideas, and we’re saying governance must always trump politics. when we make decisions as leaders of our people, we must put the interest of our people first”.
He noted that asides from ease of transportation, the economy of both states will be boosted. Speaking of spending over two hours to reach Gbọgán, he promised that with the rehabilitation of the road, both residents and citizens will now spend about 50 minutes to reach Osogbo from Ibadan.
Makinde while commenting on where the Oyo boundary will be located, said the issue is before the National boundary commission and it is whatever they decide that’ll prevail.
Earlier, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola commended Gov Makinde for overcoming political differences to reconstruct the road.
He partly said: “…but for the tenacity of my counterpart (Gov Makinde) and his understanding, this collaborative project wouldn’t have become a reality today. For me, I believe this kind of project will further promote regional integration in the southwest”.
He further noted that the Osun section of the road will be done in two segments: 1.) the dualization of the Osogbo 2.3km road.
2.) Sawmill-Ido Osun-end of Oyo state boundary (single carriageway) 56km
Gov. Oyetola, therefore, urged the people of Osun to continue to pay their taxes in order to ensure the provision of durable projects.
He also advised road users to make good use of the roads, while appealing to citizens and residents to shun acts that can provoke flooding.
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