The highest level of response to Allah’s test is Redha which is peace internally. The Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde is a peaceful man and lover of Musilms. There is no iota of doubt that His Excellency has been a blessing to the Pacesetter State. He has changed the face of governance in the state in less than 2 years of his administration.
Hardly is there any sector that has not witnessed transformation while visible infrastructure developments are bound in all nooks and crannies of the State.
Governor Makinde has been upright in line with his electioneering that he will be fair to all religions. In fact, the due respect accorded to Islam has been unprecedented.
From an ongoing construction of a mosque at Adogba, to celebration of Mawlud Nabiyy to the declaration of public holiday to mark Hijrah as from the next celebration to the donation of buses to Islamic organisations including Ibadan Central Mosque to the maintenance of the use of Hijab in schools and to the appointment of National Missioner, Alhaji AbdRasheed AbdAzeez as his Special Assistant on Islamic Affairs are some of the benefits Muslims have enjoyed from his administration .
All these efforts have rekindled the Muslim hope that ‘Seyi Makinde that identified with Islam with different Islamic programmes even before becoming governor is the same despite being in the position of authority as the head of government of Oyo State.
Governor Seyi Makinde has also employed thousands of Muslims as teachers as well as Environmental officers more than any government in the last ten years. In recent press release by the Secretary General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Oyo State chapter, Shaikh Salaudeen Busair, he urged religious leaders in the State not to destroy the existing peace in the State because of their selfish gains and he also acknowledged the good work of Governor Seyi Makinde. He said that Governor Makinde has never been found wanting in maintaining good relationship with Muslims, even though he is a christian. He added that the governor’s cordial relationship with Muslims has shown clearly in the areas of education, employment and other social amenities in the State.
Governor Makinde has always ensured balance in his leadership role among all the religions and we can always rely on his leadership prowess, adding that, there should be mutual cooperation between all religions in the State. The love Governor Seyi Makinde has for Islam made him to organise Omituntun Ramadan Lecture every year which he has been doing for the last seven years. At this year Omituntun Ramadan Lecture themed ‘Unity in Diversity: An Islamic Perspective.’ The first six editions were chaired by Late Engr Lere Adigun (RIP) and this year was honoured wity the presence of Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, as the Chairman.
Governor Seyi Makinde Administration ensures that religion, political, social and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision-making over the allocation of development resources.
Alhaji AbdRasheed AbdAzeez is the Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Islamic Affairs
