2019: Ajimobi Preaches Violence Free Election

As the 2019 general elections draw nearer, the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has implored all the citizens of the State to make the election violence free as he presented a proposed budget of two hundred and eighty-five billion Naira (N285,000,000,000.00) budget proposal for 2019 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly. 

He made the imploration while presenting his valedictory budget christen “Budget of sustainability” at the ceremony held at the gallery of the state House of Assembly in Ibadan the state capital.

The Governor admonished members of the Assembly and members of his cabinet for their support and cooperation, noting that his administration will be leaving the state in May 2019, better than the way it met it in 2011. 

Present at the budget presentation were Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III who led elevated Obas by Governor Ajimobi, Senator Teslim Folarin, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Hon. Dokun Odebunmi, commissioners, market leaders among others. 

According to the Governor, “I wish to reiterate and bring it to the notice of the people that the general election is around the corner during which we will all have the opportunity to elect another Governor, members of the National and State Assemblies. 

“I therefore implore all the citizens of the State to make the election violence free.  Every citizen within the voting age should endeavour to go out and vote in his/her representatives and leaders during the elections.  Remember, our vote is our power.

“Mr. Speaker, Honourable members of the House, distinguished members of the gallery, it is with pleasure and delight that I present this BUDGET OF SUSTAINABILITY of a sum of TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIVE BILLION NAIRA (N285B) for your consideration and quick passage into law.

“Taking into consideration the need to sustain the tempo of development achieved so far, a total budget of Two Hundred and Eighty-Five Billion Naira (N285,000,000,000.00) only is being proposed for 2019 fiscal year”. 

“Hon. Speaker, Honourable members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, good people of Oyo State, I will like to commence this valedictory presentation of the proposed 2019 Budget Estimates for Oyo State with sincere, profound and eternal gratitude to Almighty God for the rare appurtenance and fortuity to serve the people of Oyo State. Indeed, we must all be grateful for the grace to witness this day. 

“On a very personal note, I am here before you today with mixed emotions and a strong sense of history as the twenty seventh Governor of our dear State presenting the 8th Budget of our Administration to the 8th Oyo State House of Assembly. 

Today is another historic day as our “Koseleri” administration will undoubtedly go down in the annals of history as the first to present eight Budget Proposals consecutively to the House of Assembly. My gratitude once again goes to Almighty God and then, the people of Oyo State who considered me worthy of an unprecedented second term mandate.

“Before I proceed, let me use this platform to appreciate the legislature for the unwavering support and commitment to the success of our administration. The cordial working relationship between the Executive and the Legislative arms of Government which eluded Oyo state in the past has been one of the hallmarks of our administration. 

“The stability in governance has positively impacted the polity not just with peaceful coexistence but also with a non-distracting and enabling operating environment for the transformation and repositioning of our dear state into a modern Oyo State.

“Hon. Speaker, Honourable members of the House, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you will recall that when I was here in this hallowed chamber on the 14th of December 2017, it was Rt. Hon. Micheal Adeyemo who was Speaker that presided over the session. Today, he is no longer here amongst us mere mortals. He has gone ahead of us to meet his maker

on Friday, 27th April 2018.

“Accordingly, with due respect and in recognition of his noble and sterling contributions to this House, the Government of Oyo State and our nation, Nigeria, let us at the occasion of this valedictory presentation of the proposed 2019 estimates of revenue and expenditure of our Government, observe a one minute silence in his honour. May his Soul rest in Peace.

“Without any doubt, our administration is leaving Oyo State much better than it met it. To paraphrase Augustus Caesar, the founder of the Roman Empire, “We met Oyo State a State of bricks and we are leaving it a State of Marble. Our government has adopted a pragmatic approach in street lighting with the deployment of solar powered street lights with CCTV Cameras. 

“This is the future of the modern Oyo State. In addition, we are restoring sanity into our driving culture through the acquisition of more traffic control lights at major road Junctions.  

“In the coming Year 2019, the commitment of Government is to ensure completion of all on-going projects to further improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of Oyo State. Also, government will continue in her drive to improve on all existing intra city road networks through the engagement of the Oyo State Public Works Department in road repairs and rehabilitation.

“For the first time in the state, we now have a development master plan. This puts our administration on record as the first to institute such. With the Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control on ground, development in the state will not only be guided but anticipatory of the future.  

“Mr. Speaker, members of the house, permit me to do a quick review of the 2018 approved budget. The 2018 budget estimates of a sum of Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Billion, Four  Hundred and Thirty-six Million, Three Hundred and Fifty-Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twelve Naira, Nineteen Kobo (N267,436,357,912.19) only, was presented before this House for your consideration and approval.  This Honourable House reviewed this proposal to Two Hundred and Seventy One Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirty One Million, Seven Hundred and Forty Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Naira, Thirty Kobo (N271,731,742,260.30). 

“Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, the year 2018 has so far recorded significant achievements in every sphere.  These achievements have been possible through the goodwill of all well-meaning people of my administration as well as the support and cooperation of this Honourable House for the past seven and half-years.  

“I wish all the good citizens and residents of the State, a prosperous and wonderful year 2019 in advance.  God bless Mr. Speaker, God bless the Honourable members of this great House of Assembly, God bless the good people of Oyo State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.