Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says the state will be the first among others to attain energy sufficiency in Nigeria.
Makinde made this known on Monday, June 5, 2023, while inaugurating some transformers at Ona-Ara Local Government area of the state.
The 500KVA transformer at Olorunda Ogunsola Community and 300KVA at Idi-Obi area were donated by Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Otun-Apesinola of Ibadanland.
The transformers donated by Sanusi, also the Chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, would serve 15 communities of which eight are under Olorunda Ogunsola, while Idi-Obi has five communities under it.
Sanusi had installed 15 transformers across the communities toward ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply.
The governor said that his administration would exploit the new law in the country which granted states the power to generate electricity.
“Now that the fifth Alteration Bill No. 33, Devolution of Powers (National Grid System) has been signed into law, states can enter the electricity generation business.
“With the new law, states can now generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid. We will explore the opportunity.
“In the community of states in Nigeria, Oyo State will be number one to attain energy sufficiency,” he said.
Makinde appreciated the people of the council for their supports during the last governorship election, saying that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated its main opposition with 24,000 votes in the council area.
He commended Sanusi for his immense contributions to the community and the state at large.
The governor said that Sanusi had brought development to Ona-Ara Local Government with the restoration of electricity to no fewer than 15 communities.
Makinde also announced his support for Adebo Ogundoyin to return as the Speaker for a second term, saying that his administration enjoyed cordial relationship with the House of Assembly under Ogundoyin’s leadership.
In his remarks, Sanusi said that the efforts were aimed at complementing the state government’s efforts.
Sanusi appreciated the governor for bringing development projects to the local government area, saying that the council had benefitted immensely from the Makinde-led administration in its first term.
He assured the people of greater benefits from the second term of the Makinde administration.
Sanusi, who denounced interest in politics, also appreciated Makinde for representing the engineering profession well as a governor.
In their separate remarks, Mr Musibau Sanusi, the Chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government, and Alhaji Kola Bolomope, the President of Ona-Ara Descendants Union, commended the governor for his usual support.
The duo thanked the donor for his immense contributions to the development of Ona-Ara, urging other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate him.
The council chairman thanked the donor for the 15 transformers he donated earlier which covered no fewer than 60 villages.
Bolomope assured the governor of their supports, calling for more developmental projects in his second term in office.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin; Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao; Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oyediran; and Otun-Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola.
Others were Chief Mutiat Ladoja, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, as well as two former Deputy Governors, Hamid Gbadamosi and Taofeeq Arapaja.
By Akeem Abas
