Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Demola Babalola, has commended Governor Seyi Makinde for revolutionizing governance in the state through impactful policies and people-oriented projects.
In an interview with The People’s Verdict, Babalola praised Makinde’s leadership, describing him as a visionary who has consistently prioritized the welfare of Oyo residents. “Governor Makinde has broken barriers and raised the bar in governance. His projects and programmes have significantly improved the living standards of the people,” Babalola stated.
He highlighted Makinde’s consistent payment of workers’ salaries, including the 13th-month bonus, as a major milestone. “Since assuming office, he has ensured that salaries are paid on or before the 25th of every month—a promise he has never failed to keep,” Babalola noted.
In response to the challenges arising from fuel subsidy removal, the governor introduced the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative, aimed at easing economic burdens. Babalola said the programme has provided aid to farmers, the vulnerable, and small business owners across the state, including single-digit interest loans for SMEs.
Describing Makinde as a “welfarist to the core,” Babalola praised the governor’s long-standing support for journalists in the state. He recalled Makinde’s 2011 donation of a multi-million naira science laboratory to the NUJ’s Pen Junior School, long before he became governor. “He remains the most supportive governor the NUJ has had in Oyo State,” he added.
Babalola also applauded the governor’s massive investment in infrastructure, particularly in road construction. “The road network now includes modern drainage systems and bridges that ensure durability. The difference from past administrations is clear,” he said.
Sharing a recent encounter, Babalola recalled how labour leaders in Ogun State expressed admiration for Makinde’s policies, especially his focus on workers’ welfare. “They even joked that they wished they could ‘borrow’ our governor,” he said.
The NUJ chairman also acknowledged Makinde’s transformation of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), which is now fully owned and funded by Oyo State. He lauded the relocation of the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Resources to Iseyin, increasing access to quality education in rural areas.
On agriculture, Babalola noted that Makinde’s commitment to agribusiness has positioned Oyo as a future food hub and job creator. He also referenced the recruitment of about 15,000 teaching and non-teaching staff under TESCOM and SUBEB as evidence of the governor’s dedication to job creation.
“Makinde has performed beyond expectations. That’s why he remains the poster figure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” Babalola concluded.
