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 the Oke Ogun Zone.
Raji gave the commendation during the commissioning and handover of the Alhaji Kazeem Owonikoko Building at L.A. Primary School, Oke Esa, Iseyin, which he donated to the Oyo State Government.
The legal luminary praised the Makinde administration for executing major infrastructure projects across the region, including the Moniya–Iseyin Road, Oyo–Iseyin Road, and Iseyin–Fapote–Ogbomoso Road, noting that the projects had significantly improved connectivity and created opportunities for economic development.
The newly donated building, equipped with classrooms, offices, solar power, desks, chairs, and modern learning gadgets, was described as a world-class educational facility designed to improve the learning environment for pupils.
Raji also applauded the establishment of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, the Iseyin campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, describing it as a significant milestone in expanding access to higher education in Oke Ogun.
He said, “When those who call themselves progressives were in government, they didn’t give us this. You came and gave us what they could not.”
The ODCF president appealed to Governor Makinde to grant the Iseyin campus autonomy and transform it into a full-fledged university, expressing confidence that the people of Oke Ogun would benefit further from such a development.
In his response, Governor Makinde thanked Raji for transforming the 92-year-old school, describing the donation as evidence of the importance of partnerships between government and well-meaning individuals in advancing education and community development.
The governor said the quality of the facility demonstrated that public authorities could not meet every societal need without the support of philanthropists and other stakeholders.
“ 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,” Makinde said.
He reiterated his commitment to developing Oyo State without discrimination based on political affiliations, stressing that his administration remained focused on delivering results for the people rather than allowing party differences to determine access to development.
Makinde urged Raji to sustain his philanthropic contributions, noting that governments and political parties might come and go, but Oyo State would remain.
The governor also highlighted the ongoing industrial development in Iseyin, including the sugar factory near Fasola Farms, which is undergoing test running. He attributed the viability of such investments partly to improved road infrastructure, adding that the developments were positioning Iseyin for greater economic prominence.
Responding directly to the request for autonomy for the LAUTECH Iseyin campus, Makinde said the proposal would be subjected to the necessary regulatory and sustainability assessments.
“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,” the governor stated.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Barrister Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, also commended Raji for the educational project and called on individuals and stakeholders to support the Makinde administration’s development agenda.
“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, Barrister Abduljelil Owonikoko, SAN, and the Headteacher of L.A. Primary School, Mr. Dauda, expressed appreciation to the governor for prioritising education and supporting the development of Iseyin.
The event attracted prominent political leaders, government officials, legal practitioners, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders.
Those in attendance included the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister ‘Bayo Lawal; retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Rt. Hon. Justice Abdul Aboki; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Hon. Shina Oyedeji; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Bashorun Akinwale Akinwole; Head of Service, Dr. Adenike Fashina, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; and Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal.
Other dignitaries included Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN; Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Engr. Mufutau Open Salawu; Director-General of the Oyo State APM Apex Campaign Council, Dr. Nureni Adeniran; and the APM House of Assembly candidate for Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency, Surveyor Dasola Fadiran.
Commissioners, members of the Oyo State Elders’ Council and Advisory Council, service commanders, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other dignitaries also attended the event.
The commissioning underscored the importance of collaboration between government, private citizens, and community stakeholders in advancing education, infrastructure, and sustainable development across Oyo State.
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