Today, the Oyo state government is commemorating the emergence of Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi into power six years ago. During the electioneering campaign, Senator Abiola Ajimobi promised that if voted into office in 2011, he would reshape the status of the Oyo indigenes and residents.
True to his words, here are the seven gigantic achievements of the 27th Governor of Oyo state:
1. Infrastructural Revolution
Governor Abiola Ajimobi promised to renovate, construct and re-construct road networks across the state and
to improve on the aesthetics of the state through beautification of the environment believing it would attract both local and foreign investments.
Ever since his emergence, over 200 roads have been constructed and rehabilitated. Some of them include: Restoration Bridge (Awolowo/Bodija/Secretariat Bridge), Construction of Flyover Bridge at Mokola, Ibadan,
construction of motor garage at Temidire on Ibadan-Ife Road and Podo; Construction of 110 kilometre Ibadan Circular Road. dualising two major roads in Ibadan, that is, the Ibadan Interchange-Challenge-New Garage-Interchange Road and Onireke-Jericho-Eleiyele- Dugbe Road with spurs to Aleshinloye as well as entry roads to Oyo, Ogbomoso and Iseyin. These are aside the Ijokodo to Apete and associated bridge works; Ikoyi Express Junction to Taki Palace to Ogbomoso Grammar School Roads.
The construction of bridges and road repairs across the 33 Local Governments in the state.
For aesthetic beauty, the Ajimobi initiated the planting of flowers on strategic areas like Iwo-road/Ojoo axis;
Re-designing of the traffic light at Challenge Roundabout, M. K. O. Abiola Junction, Premier Hotel/Oyo Road (Oremeji) Junction; Oyo Road/Awolowo Bodija (Elewure); Parliament/ Premier Hotel Junction and Sango-Polytechnic Junction.
2. Employment opportunities and Fair Workers’ Emoluments
Under the Youth Employment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O), 20,000 youths were employed. The purchase and distribution of 1,000 units of tricycles christened “Keke Ajumose”, purchase of “Ajumose” Buses to ease transportation and curb thuggery. Payment of N19,000 minimum wage to workers and 13th month salary in
2011 and 2012.
3. Free Healthcare Services
Provision of free health services to more than 300,000 people through the free health mission programme even in the state’s Adeoyo Hospital.
The prevalence of HIV/AIDs in the state has reduced from 3.9% to 1.9% as a result of State’s Agency for Cure of HIV/AIDS (SACA). Delivery of medical equipment to health care sectors.
The Ajimobi’s administration zealously campaigned for the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) on
17th February, 30th March, 2012 and February 2013 as part of effort at boosting the State Immunization Coverage which as of date had increased to 79% in 2012 from previous 57%. The Government had also increased outreached sessions to 2 in all Health Facilities rendering routine immunization services.
Partnership with Malaria Action Program for States (MAPS), a USAID-funded project to combat the deadly illness.
4. Restoration of peace and security within the state
The government of Ajimobi has achieved a lot in terms of restoring peace and security in the state. Before he came in, the peace and security have often been threatened especially in the capital city of Ibadan claiming thousands of lives by the National Union of Road Transport Workers, the creation of ‘Operation Burst’ helped stem the tide of crime and violence within the state.
5. Progress in Education Sector
The administration has recorded progress in the education sector by modernizing the system through inauguration of Oyo State Schools’ Governing Board; a new initiative to coordinate the administration of secondary schools in the state and implementation of policies policies such as stoppage of mass promotion of students, promotion based on 80 percent class attendance and above average performance in State Common examination to enhance their results.
Recently, the state established Technical University (Tech-U), Ibadan, Oyo state, the first of its kind in the Southwestern region.
6. Culture and Tourism
There has been development of culture and tourism sector through culture renaissance such as reviving of Agodi Gardens. The government has also followed suit with other states in celebrating their Food festiavls. Oyo state now has her own Amala day and others in order to appreciate culture better.
7. Hope for Agriculture sector
Agriculture, which is a blessing for the southwest regions of the country has almost gone into extinction but the Oyo state government is trying to retain the glory in the agriculture sector through: Introduction of mechanised farming by providing tractors and other machineries for farmers.
Youth farmers have also been trained and allocated farmlands and the market for their produce are being looked for. The government is also encouraging youth farmers by providing free farmlands and seedlings.”
As proposed by the government in the agricultural sectors, there are plans to replicate practices and techniques in Songhai Farms.
