The new Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engineer Abiodun Seyi Makinde had on Wednesday stated the reformation Oyo State is set to be bestowed with, under the influence of the ‘Omituntun’ administration.

This was revealed on Wednesday at the inauguration ceremony held at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan, having the attendance of head of government agencies, captains of businesses, gentlemen of the press and the general public.

The new executive Governor after taking an oath statement pledged his selfless and unrelenting effort in serving the good people of Oyo state.

To back up his pledge, Makinde maintained that his entire salary as a Governor will be donated to the teachers’ pension fund, as he guaranteed free education, renovation of healthcare centers, reformation of the Hospital Management Board, restructure of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), creation of commission that will enhance the livelihood of the disabled, fight against poverty and creation of job opportunities.

In his speech, the Governor reiterated that “Oyo state has been the pacesetter state, as it is the first state to house; the first university in Nigeria, the first television station in Nigeria, the first skyscraper building in Nigeria, and the first housing corporation in Nigeria among many others.

“But conversely, the state is falling short in education, finance, health management and sustainable livelihood”.

The 28th Governor of Oyo state thereby guaranteed an era of peace and prosperity, as Oyo state education budget will now mount to 10 percent of the total annual budget, which will increase yearly until the new government marks UNESCO’s standard of fifteen to twenty percent.

He added that there is a partnership with Botswana, in which Maize will be exported to, in order to boost the agriculture and economic state of Oyo state.

“Our administration will make providing adequate infrastructure a priority.

“We would not only build new health centers, the focus will be to upgrade the existing ones by renovating and equipping them.

“Our focus as a government will be to implement policies which will give our people the tools they need to lift themselves out of grinding poverty and lack,” he added.

The ‘Omituntun’ administration thereby revealed that the payment of the new minimum wage wouldn’t be possible at the moment, following the current state of Oyo state account.

The governor said: “The way Oyo state account currently stands, it would only be deceitful to promise the payment.

“Also, all states are not created equal so it is against the principle of fairness to apply a blanket rule to govern them all.

“That been said, our plan is to make Oyo state the first state to pay above the national minimum wage. We know this is possible and we have already set our motions in plan to make this possible but this requires time.”

Makinde revealed that: “Presently, Oyo state income stands at 33percent from internally generated revenue and over sixty percent FAC allocation and this is why we are constantly in a circle of debt and liability.

“The model is unsustainable, it has to change.”

The Governor thereby appealed to Oyo State residents that the administration might be taking some tough decisions but will eventually favor the people.                                              

“We are not promising miracles, we promise that results will happen if we walk together and that you will see the results some, in a matter of weeks,” he dissolved.

Dignitaries present at the inauguration include: The wife of the Governor, Her Excellency Mrs Tamuno Minini Makinde, the deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, the wife of the deputy Governor, Alhaja Amida Olaniyan Ojo, the Chief judge of Oyo state, Justice Muntel Abimbola, Oyo state House of Assembly Speaker, Right Honourable speaker Olagunju Ojo, His imperial majesty, Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola III, Olubabdan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Shaunu of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi represented by high chief Samuel Otolorin, head of service, Alhaja Hamidat Ololade, the representative of Oba of Benin, high chief Edohorbor and his wife, Ambassador Umar, Nigeria’s ambassador to Botswana.