Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has charged Oyo State residents, and Nigerians in general, to play down ethnic and religious differences, but rather focus on the shared values that unite the people.
The governor stated this on Wednesday while receiving the Muslim delegation who paid him a homage at his Ikolaba private residence after the Eid al-Adha prayers at Agodi Eid Ground, Gate, Ibadan.
Addressing the delegation, Governor Makinde congratulated the Muslim faithful on witnessing the year 2026 Eid-el-Kabir and thanked them for their prayers and commitment to the state as well as their unflinching support for him and his government over the past seven years, urging them to continue praying for the success of his administration.
Makinde, who noted that the general elections would hold within the next eight months, enjoined politicians and citizens to put the interest of Oyo State and the country above partisan politics.
Speaking on the security challenges confronting the state, particularly the recent abduction of school children at Oriire Local Government Area, the governor assured the families and relatives of the victims that the government is working tirelessly to secure their safe return.
Earlier in his address, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, who led the delegation, commended the governor for his purposeful and visionary leadership.
He noted that the governor’s style of governance had continued to attract recognition beyond the state, describing him as a strong political force within the country.
Barr. Lawal called on residents, particularly the Muslim faithful, to continue to pray for the success of the administration and for lasting peace in the state, noting that the government needed their support, understanding and prayers to further deepen stability, unity and prosperity in Oyo State.
While offering special prayers for Governor Makinde, Professor Kamil Oloso, prayed for more successes for the administration and expressed the appreciation of the Muslim community in the state to the governor for his unwavering support.
The delegation included the Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Fadeyi; member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin; member representing Ibadan North-West/ Southwest Federal Constituency, Hon Adedeji Stanley Olajide; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Commissioner for Works, Hon Mojeed Mogbonjubola; Commissioner for Establishment, Professor Solihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu; Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Mikal Bayo Lawal; Chairman of all Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola; Oloye Nureni Akanbi and Honourable Tunde Tijani, among other dignitaries.
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