You Gave Us What APC Couldn’t — Ahmed Raji Hails Makinde Over LAUTECH, Road Projects
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the Oke Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF), Alhaji Ahmed Raji, has commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his administration’s developmental strides in Iseyin and other parts of Oke Ogun.
This was as he declared that the governor has delivered projects those he said called themselves 'progressives' under the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to provide when it was in power.
Raji made the remarks during the commissioning and handover of the Alhaji Kazeem Owonikoko Building, a facility he donated to the state government at L.A. Primary School, Oke Esa, Iseyin.
He specifically praised Makinde for major road projects, including the Moniya–Iseyin Road, Oyo–Iseyin Road and Iseyin–Fapote–Ogbomoso Road, as well as the establishment of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
“When those who call themselves progressives were in government, they didn’t give us this. You came and gave us what they could not,” Raji said.
The legal luminary described the LAUTECH campus as a significant investment in the educational and economic future of Oke Ogun, urging the governor to take further steps towards granting the institution full autonomy as a university.
The newly commissioned Alhaji Kazeem Owonikoko Building features classrooms, offices, solar power facilities, desks, chairs and modern learning equipment.
The facility was presented as a major development aimed at improving the learning environment for pupils of the 92-year-old school.
In his remarks, Makinde thanked Raji for the gesture, describing the building as a demonstration of the importance of private participation in education and community development.
“This building can stand anywhere in the world. It shows that no government can do everything alone. Those who are blessed must support the education of our children,” the governor said.
He urged well-meaning individuals to complement government efforts, stressing that sustainable development required contributions from both public authorities and private citizens.
Makinde also reiterated his commitment to governing Oyo State without discrimination based on political affiliation, insisting that his administration prioritised development and the welfare of residents over party considerations.
According to him, political parties and governments may come and go, but Oyo State remains, making it necessary for individuals and institutions to contribute to its long-term development.
On Raji’s request for the LAUTECH Iseyin campus to become an autonomous university, the governor said the proposal would be subjected to the necessary regulatory and sustainability processes.
“Regarding your request on the Iseyin Campus of LAUTECH becoming an autonomous university, we will go through the process.
"We will apply through the NUC, and I will carry out a sustainability study too. So, what you have asked for is done,” Makinde said.
The governor further highlighted the growing industrial prospects of Iseyin, citing the sugar factory near Fasola Farms, which he said was undergoing test running.
He attributed the viability of the industrial project partly to improved road infrastructure, expressing optimism that the developments would strengthen the area’s economic prospects and enhance its visibility beyond Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, commended Raji for investing in education and called on stakeholders to support the Makinde administration’s development efforts.
“I am happy to witness a day like this. This is a very good project from my respected colleague. I want to add that all of us need to join hands together to keep supporting Governor Seyi Makinde,” Fagbemi said.
Speaking on behalf of the Owonikoko family, Abduljelil Owonikoko, SAN, and the headteacher of L.A. Primary School, identified as Mr Dauda, also thanked the governor for prioritising education and contributing to the transformation of Iseyin into a centre of growing opportunities.
Those at the event included the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal; a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Abdul Aboki; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; and the member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Shina Oyedeji.
Others were the Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Akinwale Akinwole; Head of Service, Adenike Fashina; Deputy Chief of Staff, Kazeem Adeniyi; and Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Bayo Lawal.
Also present were Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN; the Allied People’s Movement (APM) deputy governorship candidate, Mufutau Open Salawu; Director-General of the APM Apex Campaign Council in Oyo State, Nureni Adeniran; and the party’s House of Assembly candidate for Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency, Dasola Fadiran.
Commissioners, members of the Oyo State Elders’ Council and Advisory Council, security commanders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, local government chairmen and other dignitaries also attended the ceremony.