Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that his administration has institutionalised a merit-based system in the state, revealing that more institutions would be created before the end of his tenure to make Oyo State greater.
The governor, who stated this at a symposium organised as part of the activities marking the fiftieth anniversary of the state, held at the University of Ibadan, added that preparations were underway to put together another roadmap which would ensure the continued development of the state beyond 2027.
Makinde said, "We have been talking about strong institutions. We don't want strong individuals in our state, we want strong institutions. Yes, we want strong and committed leadership. But we also would like that leadership be supported by strong institutions.
"And I always say that this administration will create institutions that will guarantee good governance in our state, well beyond the tenure of this administration."
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The governor, who reeled out some of the institutions created by his administration, noted that the essence of creating those agencies and institutions is to ensure unassailable development in the state.
Reiterating his commitment to the development of the state beyond his tenure, Makinde said, "Before we leave, we will prepare another roadmap. It is a 'Roadmap for Continued Development of Oyo State 2027 and Beyond.'
"So, Agenda 2040 and all of the things that will serve the people of Oyo State for the next 50 years, we'll put them in there. And we'll circulate it."
He cautioned those eyeing his seat to resist the temptation of taking the people for granted "because Oyo State people don't want the music of Omituntun to stop.
"That is the message I took home from the carnival we had yesterday. People trooped out and they were all like, look, we hope the music will continue."
In his goodwill message, the secretary to the government of the federation, Senator George Akume, congratulated Makinde and the people of Oyo State on the golden jubilee celebration, lauding the state for its renown as a pacesetter.
He commended the people of Oyo State for their generosity and prayed for the state to continue to grow from strength to strength.
Speaking on the theme, "Celebrating the Legacy, Navigating the Present, and Reimagining the Future," the executive chairman, African Centre for Shared Development Capacity Building, Prof Olu Ajakaiye, lauded Governor Makinde for reviving and modernizing the pace-setting development agenda of the defunct Western Region through effective planning, transparency and accountability.
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