oyo

a publication of the media unit of the governors office, oyo state

report
MARCH 2013

Fulfilling the transformation promise in Oyo State

Onward March of Ajumose

Heads, You win, Tails

You win!
I

nvesting in Oyo State is hard to get wrong. What with the dice nicely loaded in your favour. We invite you to consider these reasons, among many others, that will make your profitability sure-fire. Strategic and Central Location
Our capital, Ibadan, remains the biggest single city in West Africa. Aside from its proximity to the international air and seaports of Lagos, it has its own airport as well as railroad, with a network of roads that make it the hub of the South West region

Excellent Human Capital

Home to the first university in Nigeria, our state, with its many educational and research centres of excellence, continues to dominate in the provision of skilled and knowledgeable workforce for the nation and beyond

Terra-Wealth!
When you walk in Oyo State, you are treading on gold. Literally. Truly, the grass is greener here, 27,000 square kilometers ranging from thick rain forest to Sudan savannah vegetation awaiting cultivation. If you dig deeper, youll be pleasantly surprised by the diverse mineral and precious stones that lie beneath

Solid, Expanding Infrastructure

Focused effort by the government has increased the infrastructural profile of Oyo States major towns and cities in vital areas of roads, transportation, power, telecommunications and ICT

Track Record as Investment Haven

As past success predicts potential, you will find the many investment success stories in Oyo State a ready template. See why corporate heavy weights such as British-American Tobacco, Procter & Gamble, Nigerian Breweries plc, University Press plc, Longman and others came and never left Now, it is your Move. Invest in Oyo State!

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PROLOGUE

From Too Slow to Too Fast: The Trajectory of Ajimobis 20-month Government

c o n t e n t s Prologue: From Too Slow to Too Fast

By Festus Adedayo

n May 29, 2011, as reported by Nigerian journalists who covered the swearing-in ceremony of the then incoming Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, as well as witnesses who had a comparative knowledge of installation ceremonies at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, hitherto known as the Liberty Stadium, that stadium had never witnessed such tumultuous crowd on an inauguration day. Analysts were of the opinion that this was a reflection of the peoples yearnings for an about-turn in the governance of a state known to have carved an imperishable name for itself in the art of good governance but which had, over the years in the hands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, been thrown to the dogs and which, unable to contain the filth and decay in its hands, the dogs in turn threw to the swine.
This excitement and thirst for good governance were palpable, not only in Oyo State pre and post-inauguration, but in the hearts of lovers of the state. So when, six months down the line of the government of Senator Ajimobi, those ground-breaking projects and developmental milestones seemed to be few and far between, the apprehension and complaints that followed could easily be understood and articulated. Stoked by the firewood of the opposition PDP, the typecast soon stuck to the government as a Go Slow administration. Every effort made by the government to explain that no sane government jumps into its milestones without adequate superstructural arrangement, fell on deaf ears. Twenty months on however, the sing-song of the opposition and even the good people of Oyo State, has changed considerably. Berating the government in a recent release, the state PDP condemned Ajimobi for lack of foresight in constructing too many roads in the same axis at the same time, thereby, according to it, inflicting a traffic snarl on the good people of Oyo State. The PDP was making reference to the almost six-decade old Bodija Bridge, left un-rehabilitated, which over-filled its banks in the August 2011 flood but which the Ajimobi government was reconstructing; the monumental Mokola flyover bridge and the Cele/Mokola road being rehabilitated but which, agreed, had lengthened traffic on the route. The PDP in the state and even at the federal level, which has no history of creating as massive a job scheme as the 20,000 Youth Empowerment Scheme of the current Ajimobi administration, also picked holes, sometime last year, in the systemic hiccups that delayed the salaries of the cadets for about two months. Even the Mokola bridge, which is the first of its kind by any civilian administration in the state in the last 35 years, received mordant criticisms of the PDP henchmen. Comparing its N2.5 billion cost with same bridge in Ogun State, the opposition party reasoned that graft must have sneaked into the hearts of government in the bridge negotiation. But when its counterpart in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) took the henchmen on a detailed explanation, like a shamed dog that wags in its tail, you would be sorry for a party like the PDP which, in the first instance, pushed out such uncritical reasoning. Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, former governor of the state, has also been enjoying the panoply of make-believe hype that attended his Accord Party of recent. Preening own feathers like a peacock that is thrilled about its well-burnished beauty, late last year, Ladoja had told the world that most of those lofty projects that Ajimobi embarked upon, he provided their intellectual superstructure. In specifics, a wily politician that he is, with his understanding of the geography of the hearts of the electorate, Ladoja had said that, during his administration, he dreamt to build overhead bridges round Ibadan and Ajimobi had merely come to put his imprimatur on these dreams. Perceptible analysts were quick to remind him that the graveyards are replete with unrecognized dreamers who died unsung and that the world only celebrates those who actualize dreams. The complaint in Oyo State today is that there is traffic bottleneck everywhere, occasioned by a huge construction site that Ajimobi had turned the state into. From Challenge area of the state capital where the administration is making good its promise to dualize major entrances to all major towns in the state, you are confronted by this temporary road construction pains that will shortly give way to everlasting happiness of the people. Tractors mowing away at heavy ends of the road, constructed drainages that will swallow from view a standing giant, as well as ceaseless roars of caterpillars are the nuisances that confront passers-by and commuters in Challenge. Making a triangular construction shape, the dualization snakes past Challenge, to Efunsetan Roundabout, back to Orita Challenge and down to Adegoke Motors. If you move towards Magazine Road, Onireke and Fijabi axis of that road, you would be amazed at the change that the Ajimobi administration has made in so short a time. Being roads that had hitherto been neglected by previous administrations, a guest who had been away from Ibadan for a while would miss his way. One very instructive bit about this road construction is that many of the companies along this route like Evans, University Press, The Booksellers, Olatunde Oginni, etc. willingly pulled down own f u l f i l l i n g t h e

Ajimobi Proposed; Ajumose Achieved! Health

fences even before the mowers set in. This showed the thirst of the people of the state, in spite of their momentary pains, to collaborate with government to change the age-long typecast of Ibadan, nay Oyo State, as an unplanned city of filth and anything goes. This plan of the state government to dualize major entrances to major towns in the state is also going on simultaneously in Oyo, Ogbomosoo and Iseyin. This is aside virtually everywhere in the state benefitting from over 200 roads that are in various states of completion. Perhaps the most visible of the massive efforts of the state government in changing the face of the state is its urban renewal efforts. Many unsolicited commendations from within and without, except from the ranks of the opposition parties in the state, have likened what the Ajimobi government is doing in its urban renewal programme to a Copernican Revolution. Ranked in a global agencys assessment of cities of the country as one of the filthiest, running neck to neck with Aba, the Enyinmba City, dirt had, before now, typecast Oyo State people, to the chagrin of everyone. Situated in a plan-less landscape, Ibadan, the capital city, was everything but aesthetically pleasing. These years of impunity have eaten into the fabric of the society and like swine regale in mire, Oyo State people had taken dirt to be a fact of life, until Ajimobi came. Right now, Ibadan has received unquantifiable face-lift. The Iwo Road axis, which had become a symbolism for the lethargy and conspiratorial buy-in of past governments to under-develop the state, has received so great turn-around that pleasantly baffles visitors. Even though it is not yet rainy season and the greenery of Iwo Road has not fully manifested, the order that replaces the chaos that Ajimobi met is so palpable. Of significant mention is the Toll Gate area, hitherto a hub of miscreants and which projected Oyo as a state of filth. Right now, this area, especially the interchange, is so aesthetically appealing. Take for instance Molete Under-bridge, Bode, Oja-Oba, Bere, Oje Eleso and Gate axis, as well as the Challenge/ Ring Road axis. The changes in these areas are so monumental that many people resident in Ibadan condemn the governor for chewing too many projects at the same time. Right now, the mantra on the streets of Oyo State is that the governor should slow down and remember that the rot in the state was not accumulated overnight and would not leave overnight. The civil service used to be a subject of the demagogic mantra of a former governor of the state. Having paid the 13thmonth salary of the civil servants, which he paid in half, he used to claim that he was the Number One friend of the civil servants. However, in the last 20 months, Ajimobi has surpassed any governor, dead or living, in the training, retraining and welfare of Oyo civil servants. Realizing that the civil service is the engine room of governance, the government has trained over 13,000 civil servants so far. A few weeks ago, Ajimobi appended his signature on the promotion of 12,211 teachers, as well as ensuring the promotion of 1,714 civil servants through the Civil Service Commission. He broke the stagnation of hundreds of typists who had been banished to same spot, reviewed upward staff housing scheme and will, in few days time, launch 100 Ajumose Bus Shuttle for transportation in the state, 10 of which will be free shuttle for civil servants and students in the state. This is aside prompt payment of salaries latest by the 25thof every month and the payment of full 13thmonth salary, for two consecutive years now, to the workers. In the area of agriculture, Ajimobi recently did what is akin to a revolution when he bought 320 tractors for 20 local governments in the state. At a 1,500 persons per tractor estimate of a world agricultural body, an estimated 480,000 people would be beneficiaries of the Ajimobi largess. Other initiatives include the 36 ambulances procured by the state government, renovation of over 1,500 blocks of classrooms and provision of over 130,000 pieces of furniture, as well as several other infrastructural interventions, which space constraints would not allow. For a half term score-card, it would seem that Abiola Ajimobi has outshone the governmental credentials of all Oyo governors before him and should be called to the governors roll of honour.
Festus Adedayo, PhD, is the Special Adviser (Media) to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

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5 Education 6 Security 8 Welfare 9 Agriculture 10 Rural 11 Integration

Infrastructure Development Urban Renewal

Youth & Sports Economy

Women, Community Development & Poverty Alleviation An Interview with the Governor 2013 Oyo State Budget Speech Gallery

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Onward March of

Ajumose
20 months into its journey, the ship MV Ajumose Oyo had covered so many nautical miles that passengers as well as onlookers could envision the vista called Good Hope. The ship is now at the shores of Good Hope and sailing steadily on to the land of Promise. The captain of the ship MV Ajumose Oyo is resolute on maintaining a steady course and increasing the speed of the ship. MV Ajumose Oyo has made even more impressive progress, covered so many more miles and is leaving landmarks called Transformation in the storied landscape of the pacesetter state.

Fulfilling the transformation promise in Oyo State

AJIMOBI PROPOSED; AJUMOSE ACHIEVED!

he promise was one of massive transformation in governance and its results for the benefit of the people of Oyo State. Governor Abiola Ajimobi declared at the Liberty Stadium on May 29, 2011, I am happy to inform you that our journey to restoration has begun: Today, we begin the journey to restore efficient infrastructure in place of the year-long decay. Today, we begin the journey to restore integrity in our public institutions that have been perennially abused and compromised. Today, we begin to restore the faith of our people in government, as against the regime of widespread scepticism and fright in the institution of government. Ajimobi added, The policy thrust of the government shall be guided by the manifesto of our great party, the Action Congress of Nigeria. The priorities of this administration shall thus be: Human Capital Development encompassing education, skill acquisition and healthcare delivery Infrastructure development Rural development and integration Revitalization and development of agriculture and agro-allied industry Promotion of security from a developmental perspective, through the provision of social inclusion and rule of law and; Democracy and good governance. Oyo State has since witnessed the on-going fulfilment of promises in the various facets of governance and citizen aspirations. We capture some highlights herein
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health
The Promise:

We shall explore creative ways and means of significant public funding, so as to make health services in the state free, accessible and suitable for all. Indeed, our administration will pursue a Public Health Policy that will cover every category of people at all demographic levels. Our agenda for social/human capital development is predicated on the need to ensure that we have well-educated, healthy, happy and well-motivated citizenry, with enhanced capacity to make meaningful contributions to the growth and development of the State, while also leading very meaningful and fulfilled lives. In pursuance of this noble objective, we will start with the provision of free health services to children under the age of five, pre-and post-natal healthcare for pregnant women, as well as cater for the healthcare of our aged ones above the age of 70. We will work to make our general hospitals true hospitals where the sick will find succour. Government will establish a primary health centre in every ward of the state, so that we can take healthcare to the doorsteps of our people. We shall review extant regulations on the provision of private health services, so that we can attract more investors into the sector. As I speak, Oyo State does not have a screening facility for blood, thus exposing our teeming population to HIV/AIDS and other terminal diseases, through the transfusion of unscreened blood. Our state does not have a facility for cervical cancer test, despite the rampaging threat of this disease to our womenfolk.

The Scorecard

List of Achievements in Health

Health is indeed wealth in Ajimobis Oyo State, given the care and attention the sector has received from the Government. As promised by the Governor, health care is free for certain categories of citizens, notably pregnant women and under-five children. Government is working on upgrading or rehabilitating hospitals and providing facilities in equipment and drugs. In the last quarter of 2012, Oyo State commenced a free emergency medical service scheme to provide first responder capability that would reduce avoidable deaths in emergencies. The scheme draws personnel from the Oyo State Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES-O). Facilities include 34 ambulances and personnel are doctors, nurses and medical technicians. Ajumose also works in the scheme: Government is collaborating with a network provider for toll free lines to serve the 24-hour control room at the Ministry of Health. The control room has a 30-feet mast, dedicated E-1 direct line, coupled with a GIS-based tracking system to locate every ambulance at any point in time for fastest possible response. The word from Governor Ajimobi is that citizens who use the ambulance service would get free drugs for the first 48 hours of hospitalization. The state has distributed N200m worth of essential drugs across the local governments. Coming soon is the introduction of the Oyo State Strategic Health Development Plan to guide development of the health sector over a five-year initial period. Key stakeholders would make up the Health Steering Committee. A similar approach birthed the Plan as Oyo State collaborated with and received the technical expertise of the World Health Organisation, World Bank, UNICEF and the Federal Government. One of the first tasks of the administration was restoration of industrial harmony in the health sector. Before the advent of the administration, doctors had been on strike for six months.

The State procured equipment worth N40million and distributed to 42 public health facilities spread across the State. Procurement of essential drugs worth N200million to be equitably distributed across all the health facilities in the State. . Ajimobi Free Health Mission :Over 200,000 people benefited from free health service organized by Development Support Initiative (DSI) in collaboration with Oyo State Government (Ajimobi Free Health Mission). Ajumose Free ambulance service Abiyamo Maternal & Child Health (Baseline survey has been conducted)

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The Scorecard contd

New Born Screening Initiative (NBSI) Community Health Insurance Scheme/Millennium Development Goal maternal & child health care (New initiative) Launching of Strategic Health Development Plan (SHDP) Public Private Partnership on non-essential drugs. The health facilities engaged in PPP initiative increased from 9 to 20 (122%) 10 % increase CONHESS package to health workers. Immunization Govt. has increased outreach seasons to two in all health facilities rendering routine immunization services. There is a partnership with MAPS USAID funding project, which seeks to improve all areas of intervention of malaria controls. Training of 75 health workers in 5 LGAs on PMTCT and another 42 health care providers on PMTCT service in Ibarapa Zone of the State. Awareness, sensitization of public, production data tools supply of free family planning commodities to all service points done by NURHI in collaboration with Oyo State Govt. The establishment of Access to Basic Care, (ABC) clinics in all 33 Local Governments. The clinics provide primary healthcare to women and children. This is an initiative of Her Excellency, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi. 98% leprosy treatment completion rate was achieved. 100% HCT acceptance rate at TB clinics Introduction of screening for pregnancies for early detection of sickle cell foetus 1st in Nigeria Rehabilitation of primary health centres across the state On-going rehabilitation of Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan Continued completion of Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso Treatment of over 600,000 patients through free health mission programme Donation of Florence Ajimobi Alaanu House to the University College Hospital by the Wife of the Governor

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education
Coming to specifics, our intention is to achieve free and qualitative education, so much so that no child is left behind. Government shall address the key challenges in the education sector, as exemplified by infrastructure decay; government shall also provide conducive learning environment, instructional materials and expose our teachers to regular in-service training.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (second right) waving at the audience at the flag-off of School Monitoring and Supervision Projects organized by the state government in collaboration with the University of Ibadan, at Ibadan Civic Centre, Ibadan . With him are the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun (right) and the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole (left)

The Promise:

The Scorecard

below: schools renovated by Oyo State Government

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List of Achievements in Education:

The Ajimobi administration has guaranteed an environment of policies and actions that enable progress in education in Oyo State. It has also set out to create new structures and institutions to create opportunities in education. Foremost of these is the establishment of the Oyo State Technical University, an institution with a clear focus on developing manpower in technical fields. Further, Governor Ajimobi and his team resisted fissiparous tendencies that sought to break up the union between Oyo and sister state Osun in managing the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. Rather, Governor Ajimobi stressed on legacy and unity in ensuring that the university continues to realise the vision of the founding fathers. Provision of 120,000 sets of school furniture - (On going) Payment of WAEC fees in excess of N350m each for 2 years Introduction of extra-mural classes for final year students Exam Results: Oyo moved from 34th (2011) to 24th position (2012) in WAEC Accreditation of HND in Oyo College of Agric and The Polytechnic, Ibadan Approved outstanding promotion of year 2009 & 2010 for 12,076 teaching and non-teaching staff in Public Secondary Schools in the State. Approved recruitment of 110 education officers & 3,000 teachers to fill vacancies in schools. Rehabilitation of 497 Primary & Secondary Schools in the State. Furniture distributed to both primary and secondary schools in the State (133,151 in all) Distribution of free 80 leaves notebooks, textbooks in core subjects and instructional materials to both primary & secondary schools across the State. Supply of Science laboratory equipments to schools; Prompt payment of teachers salaries/allowances Capacity building for teachers/principals in core subjects, ICT & classroom methodology (6,500); Restored payment of running grants to both primary & secondary schools. Organisation of compulsory extramural classes, extensive monitoring & supervision of schools; Payment of 100% WAEC fees for pupils in final year for year 2012 & 2013; Reduction in the fees of Tertiary institutions in Oyo State by 100%; Payment of bursary awards to Oyo State law students in the Law school; Presentation of a laptop each to 33 Local Inspectors, 8 Zonal inspectors of Education to boost its inspectorate division; Partnership with University of Ibadan on school monitoring and Quality Assurance; Provision of boreholes/toilets in schools in the State;

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The Promise:

security

The Scorecard

Security of lives and property has been a challenge in our state. Political thuggery, brigandage and armed robbery have become the order of the day. Our approach to securing lives and property in the state shall be holistic. We will take a developmental approach by addressing all seemingly isolated issues that culminate in this regime of violence. Government will redress all issues of injustice by respecting outstanding court orders. Government will encourage community involvement in the provision of security services and assist the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in areas of need. On our part, we shall govern in accordance with the rule of law and fear of God.

OYSG launched a developmental and inclusive programme of security management that draws on the Ajumose philosophy. The result: establishment of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund as a public and private sector collaboration to ensure provision of facilities and enabling environment for the security forces. Oyo State Security Trust Fund commenced in 2012 with provision of 66 patrol vans, two armoured personnel carriers and other equipment to the Nigeria Police Force. Oyo State Security Trust Fund also incorporates the services of the other security forces including the Army, Navy and Airforce to ensure comprehensive security coverage for Oyo State. Oyo now experiences peace from violence of NURTW and drastically reduced armed robbery cases.

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welfare

The executive arm of government will depend on the civil service to execute its agenda of restoration and transformation. We have been fortunate to inherit a very strong, reliable and professional civil service from the founding fathers of the state. Nevertheless, we shall address the challenges that have emerged in the operations of the civil service in recent years. Our civil servants shall be exposed to in-service training programmes for efficient service delivery. Government will revolutionize the civil service in the ICT for faster, secure and more efficient service delivery. I call on the civil service to brace up for the challenge of the restoration agenda.

The Promise:

It is restoration and transformation time for the Oyo State civil service. The Sen. Abiola Ajimobi government of Oyo State has implemented a range of policies and programmes that is bringing out the best in the states civil service. Motivation is high. In the last quarter of 2012, pensioners in the state received arrears of their outstanding dating up to five years in some cases. They also got a massive 142% increment in their package to reflect inflation. Hear the testimony of the chairman of the state branch of the National Union of Pensioners, Alhaji Lateef Adegoke, It is indeed a good development for pensioners in Oyo State. It is wonderful and unbelievable. We had been struggling for the payment in the last six years. The last administration gave us several promises to pay the money but they failed to fulfil the promises. In fact, they told us in October 2010 that by December of that year, the arrears would be paid. When we went back to them, they told us that there was no money to pay us as they were already preparing for campaign for their second term. That is why I am extremely grateful to Gov Ajimobi who has graciously approved the payment of the arrears just three months after he assumed office. This shows that the governor has the interest of his people at heart. With increased housing loans approved by the State Governor, workers in Oyo State workers in Oyo State can now be house owners more readily. Governor Ajimobi approved increments of up to 100 per cent on loan ceilings to enable workers access better facilities. The upward review aims at restoring the pride of the states public service and the dignity of its workers. OYSG is also working with mortgage institutions to assist workers in home ownership. Beginning in February 2013, public service workers now enjoy free transportation to and from their work places. Human capital development received utmost priority. About 13, 000 civil servants attended various training programmes. Payment of workers salary latest 25th of every month Payment of 13th month salary to workers 100% increment in housing loan 100% increment on car loan Removal of barrier on path of Chief Typist in service who can now rise to level 12 instead of old bar of level 09 Life Insurance Policy for Civil and Public Servants. This is the first of its kind in the South-West region of Nigeria Resuscitation of Public Service Forum with an inspiring and thought-provoking lecture entitled The Pursuit of Excellence in the Public Service delivered by renowned and seasoned technocrat, Dr. Christopher Kolade, C.O.N., the Chairman of Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P)

The Scorecard

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The Promise:

The development of agriculture, anchored on a unique agri-business model, is our priority. This will be developed along the most critical value-chains to maximize our comparative advantages, put our people at the commanding height of the local economy and attract serious local and international players. In the same vein, we will resuscitate farm settlements and redirect our graduates from the shameful scamper after the sale of recharge cards on our streets. Agriculture will play a critical role in the creation of 20,000 jobs within the first 100 days of this administration. This shall complement those who will be engaged in traffic control and management, environmental sanitation, beautification and entrepreneurship schemes.

The Scorecard

Construction of seven new earth dams at Onidundu, Ilora, Batake, Ibapon, Ado-Awaye, Idere and Fashola Rehabilitation of three earth dams at Pade, Akufo and Kisi Introduction of 3500 Agriculture Cadets for agric extension services Establishment of Oyo-Odua Farmers Academy at Awe, Oyo Resuscitation of school agriculture programme Rehabilitation of feeder roads Signing of Memoranda of Understanding with investors from Canada, USA, South Africa and Israel for large scale commercial farming in Oke Ogun and Ibarapa areas of the state Agric loan of N150, 000 each granted to thousands of farmers Setting up of processing plants Rehabilitation of moribund farm settlements, which have been renamed Ajumose farms Procurement of 320 Massey Ferguson tractors distributed to Local Governments. An additional 200 tractors to be added by the end of this year. Massive supply of fertiliser and seedlings to improve production

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rural integration
Majority of our people live in rural communities, which also serve as our food basket. Our programme of rural development and integration will emphasize the provision of infrastructure that will make life meaningful to our people. The economies of the communities shall be integrated into the state economy and government programme of agriculture development, youth empowerment, poverty alleviation and general prosperity for our people. The search for good life should not necessarily force our people to the urban centres.

The Promise:

Rehabilitation of roads in Local Government Areas for enhanced mobility Rehabilitation of feeder roads for enhanced mobility for agriculture

The Scorecard

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infrastructure development

The Scorecard

The Promise:

The transformation that we envision for Oyo State and our people can only be translated into reality with the provision of necessary public infrastructure. We shall embark on extensive rehabilitation of roads and construction of new ones. Our government shall insist on the construction of durable roads. Never again will our people live with the irony of roads constructed over 30 years ago being more motorable than the ones constructed few months back.

205 infrastructure projects across Oyo State including roads, bridges, health centres, as well as the dredging of rivers and canals. Specifically, the Oyo State Government has built eight bridges, dredged 43 rivers, canals and streams. A new flyover is on the way at Mokola, Ibadan; it has been 35 years since Ibadan saw such a major bridge! The Iwo Road interchange has become a thoroughfare following intervention by OYSG that removed the dreaded bottleneck on the road. Ajimobi has democratized provision of infrastructure and spread it across the state. In progress or already commissioned are the following: Shanga and Aladota Bridges in Oyo Owode-Afin, Fola Tyre-Durbar Stadium General Hospital to the Palace in Fiditi Gedu Schemes 1 and 2 in Oyo Ilora-Imini Ijaiye Road Road from Town Hall to Isale Taba in Saki Apinite-Town Hall also in Saki Igbeti Bypass Rehabilitation of Moniya-Iseyin road Rehabilitation of Deeper Life-Oloko road in Igboho Saki-Ogberan road Ilero-Otu and Otu-Alaga roads Iresa-Apa to Iresa-Adu Phases 1 and 2 Mowolowo-Iwo Ate and Ipeba-Ajaawa roads in Ogbomoso Ogbomoso California- Ibapon Agric Road Ibadan-New Eruwa Junction in Eruwa Oke-Ola-Aborerin-Igboora Junction Eleyele Iddo-Eruwa Igboora-Idere Road The infrastructure projects cover other areas Temidire Modern Motor Terminus Podo Modern Motor Terminus Iwo Road Neighbourhood Market Circular Road Minor Circular Road Dualization of Eleiyele-Jericho Road, Challenge-Olodo road, and entry roads in Oyo, Ogbomoso and Iseyin Massive rehabilitation of roads in urban centres Governor Ajimobi also released N5.4b to the Local Governments to construct or reconstruct 35 roads in their areas.

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urban renewal

This government will pursue a programme of urban development and renewal. We are not happy that Oyo State, Ibadan in particular, remains a recurring decimal in discussions about urban degeneration. We are going to institute a robust programme of urban renewal for our urban centres. We are going to address the challenges of our state capital, with utmost urgency, by initiating necessary processes to earn the ancient city the status of a mega city. We are going to partner with the private sector, international development partners and donor agencies, as well as other major cities around the world to transform the state capital to the city of our dream.

The Promise:

The Scorecard

Ibadan today wears a salubrious ambience. The look and feel of Ibadan has changed, drawing appreciation from citizens, media and sundry observers. The changes in Ibadan are noticeable as people drive into the city from any of the exits, particularly the major former Ibadan toll point of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Government has cleaned out the medians with beautification projects daily improving the appearance of the city. In executing the urban renewal projects, the Ajumose team has debunked age-old myths justifying rowdiness and filth in some areas. Public Affairs analyst Dapo Thomas, writing in The Nation captured the demystification of the Iwo Road interchange by the Ajimobi administration in cleaning out the area. According to Thomas, The Abiola Ajimobi government with its consensual sloganeering credo must have been intrigued by the Iwo Road mystery hence its resolve to unravel it. Ajimobi must have realised that the secret of the success of his administration lies in his ability to deal with this mystery through a systemic dispatch of its nuisance contents. The governor therefore decided to engage the Iwo Road mafia in a battle of wits, which he seems to be winning. The first move was the relocation of the parks. Then some structures encroaching on the road were sent packing. Some of the illegal bus parks are now undergoing beautification and landscaping evolution. Thus, a new Iwo Road stripped of all forms of traditional razzmatazz is emerging. New or reconstructed roads as well as the Bodija link bridge are all adding to the enhanced appeal of Ibadan and other urban centres.

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youth & sports

The State Male Basketball team reached the finals at the 2012 National Sports Festival breaking a 21-year jinx and also returned to the Nigerian Premier League after 13 years in relegation. The State Female Basketball Team was also promoted to the Zenith Bank Womens League Held the 1st Ever Shooting Stars Ex Players Forum Tremendous increase in the Internal Revenue Generation of the State due to the massive turnout of Sports lovers at Home Matches of Shooting Stars Sports Club. Re Grassing and Re-Construction of Spectators stands of Soun Stadium, Ogbomosho. Yakubu Adesokan, an Oyo States Athlete represented Nigeria at the recently concluded London Paralympics and did the nation proud by his world record breaking feat. Hosted the 1st Ever Softball and Baseball Clinic in Nigeria. Hosted and Won the Maiden Edition of the National Academicals Football Competition (NASCOM) which qualified the Oyo State Team to represent Nigeria at South Carolina Sponsorship of the Oyo State Under 17 Academicals team to South Carolina, USA Organised the 1st Ever Oyo State Job and Entrepreneurship Youth Fair Resuscitated and Rebranded Oyo State Governors Cup Competition. Completion of the remodelling/renovation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex Main Bowl Completion of the 1st phase and embarking on the second phase of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Iseyin Secured a sponsorship deal with Dubic Lager Beer (A brand of Guinness Nigeria PLC) for Shooting Stars Sports Club 100 % increase in reward for the National Sports Festival (Port Harcourt 2011) Medal winning athletes. Provision of vehicles for Officials and Players to ease transportation for Shooting Stars Sports Club. Organized the Maiden Edition of Oyo State Special Sports Competition Completion of the rehabilitation of Squash Hall at Lekan Salami Sports Complex

The Scorecard

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economy

The Promise:

The Economic Agenda of the administration will focus on recreating the economy of Oyo State, with a view to engendering the emergence of a New Economy, empower the people for sustainable wealth creation and develop the capacity of all economic agents. Our vision is to create a state in which every citizen can achieve the best of their potentials.

The Scorecard

Renewed interest in collaborating with Oyo State Government in various endeavours has followed the clear evidence of a resolve by the State Government to do things right. Work has commenced on one of the largest housing estates in the country and certainly the first major one in the old capital of Western Nigeria for close to 40 years. The Housing Scheme is a collaboration between the state government and the private sector. There is also a 6 billion Naira 5-Star hotel project in the works. Lafarge WAPCO plc, one of Nigerias key firms in the construction industry. Lafarge WAPCO has operated in Nigeria since 1959. Following the footprints of the Ajimobi administration, Lafarge now seeks even stronger bonds with the Oyo State Government in recognition of the emphasis on infrastructure development. Other economic players are knocking on the door steadily as the present administration works on ensuring a truly enabling environment for economic activities. Attention to the fundamentals is equally important concerning the wealth and resources of our state, particularly the production of future wealth through proper management of assets. Ajumose is in particular application in the management of the economy of Oyo state as the records show. Attraction of investment worth over N30bn in 20 months 50 per cent improvement on internally-generated revenue Introduction of e-payment system On-going biometrics to eliminate ghost workers Disbursement of car loans to civil servants to the tune of N45m Reconciliation of debt portfolio and recovery of excess deductions from FAAC for improved servicing of external debts Standardization and harmonization of government accounts from inherited 114 to 42

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Women, Community Development and Poverty Alleviation

atters concerning women, children and the less privileged as well as community development have received top priority from the Abiola Ajimobi government. It is such that the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Development and Poverty Alleviation has chalked up significant achievements in all facets of its remit. As issues concerning gender empowerment and welfare are one of her passions, First Lady Mrs Florence Ajimobi has provided invaluable support and guidance in this area. Programmes in women empowerment have included gifts of economic tools to women across the 33 local governments to jumpstart small businesses, capacity improvement workshops and support for widows. Social Welfare activities have also been on the upswing with enhanced allowances and facilities for correctional centres and welfare homes.

About 4000 women attended cookery training programme tagged Maggi Women Forum organized by the Ministry and Nestle Nigeria PLC in collaboration with the Office of Her Excellency between 29th March and 5th April 2012. Programme covered cookery practicals, home management and healthy diet and was replicated in the six zones of the state. Sensitization programme on harmful effect of incessant occurrence of rape on the girl-child and women organized for over 1000 motor drivers, cyclists and traders at the Ojoo Motor Park with a view to proffering lasting solution to the social vice. 200 Widows drawn from 33 Local Government areas empowered with one pepper grinder, one cassava grinder plus a take-off grant of N20, 000.00 to establish small-scale business. 50 women attended a 3-day capacity-building workshop on etiquette, protocol and public speaking. The programme held between 16th18th March 2011 for female top government officials and wives of public office holders at I.I.T.A, Ibadan. Over 1,000 young females participated in a one-day Stakeholders Sensitization Meeting on Thursday October 4, 2012 on the Young Women Entrepreneurs Programme tagged YOU WIN as directed by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Abuja. The programme aimed at generating jobs by encouraging and supporting aspiring young women to develop and execute business ideas that will lead to job creation. Oyo State hosted other States in the South-West Geo Political Zone for the programme. 10 Women comprising Civil Servants and Political Office holders attended a Workshop on t h e

Maggi Women Forum

ticipant received N20, 000 to start their own business on 20th December 2012.

Seminar on Rape

Widowhood Support Scheme

Highlights

Capacity Building Workshops for 396 Grassroots Women from the 33 Local Women
Government Areas empowered with a deep freezer, a generator and N20,000.00 to start a small scale business in two batches of 198 women on 11th May and 18th July, 2012 99 Women trained in fish farming, processing and packaging. Participants received N20.000.00 cash and 2500Kg fish as samples while each group of three participants also empowered with a smoking kiln worth N100, 000.00.

A. WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMMES

Agitation Management Skills and Strategic Leadership in Dubai between April 30 and May 4 2012. 10 Women including public office holders and some top government functionaries attended a five-day Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development Training Programme in Gambia between 13 -15 June 2012. Seven women including three members of National Council of Women Society Executives led by Her Excellency, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (J.P) attended a five-day Women Empowerment Workshop and Award programme organised by the Diaspora arm of the National Council of Women Society of Nigeria in Chicago, U.S.A, between 23rd and 26th July 2012.

Less privileged people were empowered for self-reliance and assisted for medical treatment. Provision of mobility aids such as Wheel Chairs, Crutches, etc. to amputees.

Vocational Training at the Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled, Moniya

Capacity Building for Social Workers in the State

60 Persons with Disability trained in various vocations at the centre (awaiting graduation) Renovation of Workshop building and purchase of training equipment in ICT and shoe making sections 40 Social Workers trained by Progress Africa, Social Care Consulting, Ireland, in collaboration with Office of Her Excellency in April and October, 2012. Between year 2011 to date, 909 matrimonial cases treated as follows: 405 distressed families reconciled 223 children in the custody of mothers were maintained by their fathers 281 children/juveniles psychologically reformed, counselled and reintegrated into their families. s t a t e

66 Women from 33 Local Government Areas trained in Bee-keeping on 29th November 2012. 120 indigent women drawn from 33 Local Government Areas trained in improved processing of locust beans and use of modern techniques. Each Local Government Area participant was empowered with Dehullar machine for use by the trainees and other members of each locality while each par-

Bee Keeping - Processing of honey

Locust Beans Processing

International Capacity Building Workshop

129 destitutes treated both psychologically medically and repatriated to their various homes and states of origin. 28 abandoned babies placed on local adoption 9 children with special health needs placed on international adoption Empowerment of People with Disabilities (PWDs) p r o m i s e i n

B. SOCIAL WELFARE Relief and Rehabilitation Programme

Family Welfare Services

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Family Courts

265 cases of Juvenile in Conflict with the Law handled as follows: 124 cautioned and released to their parents after reformation. 45 were released on recognizance and Ministerial advice 23 released for proper reintegration 73 committed to Juvenile Correctional Institution for supervision and reformation

ing, fashion designing are awaiting graduation under the scheme. v. Monitoring Visit to Internationally Adopted Vulnerable Children: A State delegate ably led by Her Excellency, the Wife of the Executive Governor visited the eight Children in the custody of their respective adoptive parents in Holland, Netherlands, in September2012. Advocacy visit on Child Right made in the months of February to the 33 Local Government Areas. Inauguration of Child Right Implementation and Monitoring Committee in Local Governments. Sensitization Programme for top Government functionaries from the 33 Local Governments on the implementation of the Child Rights Law held on Thursday 21 June 2012.

C. CHILD WELFARE Child Rights Law

The process of upgrading six (06) Juvenile Magistrate Courts to Family Courts is ongoing at High Court of Justice, Ring Road, Ibadan in collaboration with the Ministry 52 Court Panellists/Assessors and Magistrates promptly paid honoraria by the State Government for services rendered

The Monthly feeding allowance to Welfare Homes increased from N550,000.00 to N1,100.000 Social amenities e.g. water and electricity were provided Renovation of Child Care Unit undertaken by Office of Her Excellency i. Juvenile Correctional Institution Ijokodo: Between year 2011 to date, 126 children were accommodated at Juvenile Correctional Institution, Ijokodo, with the following status: 75 delinquents beyond parental control and found children were reformed and reintegrated with their parents 17 disabled children are resident 12 children are in conflict with law and 22 children in need of special care and protection are resident. ii. Child Care Unit, Ijokodo: From 2011 to date, 55 children are in custody as analysed below: 28 abandoned babies placed on local and international adoption with substitute parents including nine children with special health needs. 18 cases of disabled children are resident. iii. Nigerian Training Centre for the Blind, Ogbomoso: 91 Visually Impaired Persons are currently resident as follows: 38 are in Primary School 41 in Secondary School and 12 in Vocational Training Section. iv. Community Based Vocational Rehabilitation: 27 Trainees drawn from various Local Government Areas trained within their communities in various vocations i.e. shoe making, computer applications (ICT), hair dressing, barb-

State Welfare Homes

Infant mortality reduction:

The fifth State Childrens Parliament inaugurated on 8 September 2011, with a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Thursday 17th November 2011 led by Speaker, Honourable Tumise Alao. Members of Children Parliament paid advocacy visit to the Honourable Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Honourable Monsurat Sunmonu on Thursday 29 November 2012.

Childrens Parliament:

Sensitization workshops and rallies on reduction of infant mortality held in eight Local Government Areas in the state i.e. Egbeda, Atiba, Itesiwaju, Ogbomoso North, Ibadan North, Oriire, Afijio and Iwajowa

58 children currently on roll at the Centre; the place is in good shape. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) enhanced through the quarterly payment of fees by parents of children in the Centre, as well as Registration and annual renewal fee of Day Care Centres in the State. Radio/Television Programme, Agbajo-Owo With funds of N849, 980 from the State Government, the Ministry aired 24 episodes of this programme that showcases self-help projects in 33 local governments. Training of Community Leaders 107 Community Leaders from 33 Local Government Areas attended Citizenship and Leadership Training Programme from 8 to 10 February 2012. Vigilante Activities Vigilante Coordinating Committee activities engendered by prompt release of funds for year 2011 and 2012 aided the drastic reduction of armed robbery cases and other social vices in the State. National Community Development Day Programme - 600 Community Development Stakeholders participated in National Community Development Day celebrations held on 18 December 2011. The 2012 edition commemorated in January 2013 with distribution of grants in-aids of Community Self-Help projects. Over 1000 Stakeholders participated Grant-In-Aid of Self Projects N18 Million disbursed as Grants-in Aid to 355 Self Help Projects across the 33 Local Governments to encourage grassroot participation and sustainability of community development proo f a j u m o s e

Oyo State Breastfeeding and Day Care Centre:

legal and inhuman custody and re-integrated back to their families; 26 cases of reported child molestation and rape were handled while some of the cases are still in Court; 55 children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS granted educational and nutritional support. The Ministry collaborated with Alo Theater to host 1000 Orphans and Vulnerable Children in the State to an Out of School Programme (Life performance of cultural heritage display) on Thursday 16 August 2012

E. Poverty Alleviation

jects. Rural Integrated Programme N15.5m released for the provision of palm oil and garri processing machines to 19 selected pilot villages across the 33 LGAs to enable the socioeconomic development of the rural communities Job creation 1000 tricycles purchased and distributed to unemployed people in the State, who in turn will pay back the cost price of the tricycles in instalments over 12 months.

D. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Material Assistance to the Needy

An abandoned HIV positive baby was placed in an Orphanage for care and protection, while financial support was also given to ten (10) HIV/AIDS support Groups in the State; Deep freezers given to five (05) Orphanages annually in the State during the celebration of Children Day i.e. May 2011 and 2012 in order to strengthen the collaboration between the State Government and the Homes; 87 children were rescued from traffickers, ilo n w a r d

Care for HIV/AIDS/Orphan and Vulnerable Children

The State Government gave educational support in form of school bags, school uniforms, school sandals and writing materials to 400 children affected by the flood disaster. This was done in collaboration with UNICEF.

60 viable Non-Government Organisations collaborating with the Ministry on issues of women, children and the less privileged received N50, 0000 each from the State Government to support their activities. N2.28million released by the State Government to a set of 260 Orphans and Vulnerable Children for educational support. N1, 530, 000 given as financial aid for surgery on an eight year old boy on Monday 18th February,2013 N50, 000 naira each given as subvention to 21 child-focused NGOs/CBOs to provide care and support to the vulnerable children in their care. 1 Million Naira given to Mr Abanikanda Olusola, an amputee, to enable him receive medical treatment abroad Financial assistance provided for 12 people in diverse serious needs upon request to the tune of N830.000.00 to alleviate their sufferings; N500, 000 released for the treatment of seven members of a family involved in fire outbreak on Monday 18th February, 2013 N467,330.00 released to Mrs Sadia Raufu (staff) a cancer patient to receive treatment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. N30, 000.00 financial assistance given to 15 indigent parents of multiple births N314, 000 released to four visually impaired ex-trainees of Federal Farm Centre Isheri Lagos as financial assistance for proper rehabilitation

Financial Assistance to the vulnerable and less privileged

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The change that Oyo State deserves

- Gov. Ajimobi
Ahead of his second anniversary at the helm of affairs in Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi fielded questions from journalists. He tackles issues with candour and courage, and explains his vision for change in Oyo State.
Biggest challenges
I think the biggest challenge for me is the challenge of change. We are trying to change the orientation of our people from the culture of anything goes, of might is right, of impunity, to that of structured approach to issues. People are generally resistant; they resist change unless it is perceived as a beneficial change. You as the leader or if you like, as the governor of the state, must have a vision of how you want the state to be. In many cases, unless people are sufficiently educated and enlightened, they may not easily see what you see and so when they do not see accruable benefits to themselves, then they usually say No. are bad: very narrow; pot-holes all over; street traders everywhere, particularly people trading on drainages; on flood plains; with illegal structures all over the place. To summarize it, one is the attitudinal; the paradigm which I would like to shift to that of orderliness. Id like the state to be environmentally friendly; the state should have good infrastructure that can attract investors, good roads, with water, electricity and so on. Lastly, Id like to have a state that is commercially viable, where agriculture thrives; where commerce thrives, and Id like it to go back to being a state of firsts in Nigeria.

moving these people. We have not even removed illegal structures because if you look at all the houses around, starting from Challenge, all the way through the whole of Ibadan; everywhere; there is hardly a single house on the main road that you dont see illegal structures attached to it.We are not pulling them down. From tomorrow, go and see. There is no house from Challenge, or go further back to Podo and begin to look on your right and left, there is hardly a building all the way to the interchange at Iwo Road where you will not see one form of illegal structure or container attached to the house.We have not touched them.Which houses are we touching?We are moving people who are trading on the main road; on the streets; we are moving people who are trading under high-tension wires; we are removing people trading under the bridge.We are removing people who are trading in public places meant for recreation, and places meant for praying.

building neighborhood markets. We are going to give the traders money to trade through cooperatives. We are talking to their leaders. Wherever we have removed street traders, we gave them minimum of three months notice. I am not the first governor that will remove people from trading on the street; every governor had tried it except they did not succeed.

On building houses on flood-prone areas

The people who have stalls attached to their houses

The specific change you want:

The first thing is peace, security and safety, where Oyo State is no longer seen as a state of brigands, as a state of charlatans, as a state where everything is possible, where might was right. We are always talking of NURTW, talking about thugs and so on when others are talking about lawyers and doctors and how to improve their states. The first area where I would like to see change is in the attitude of our people. I want to see orderliness where they say `look, dont urinate there and you obey. Id like people to see government as a catalyst to development, not as a pot of soup where all we do is come and take our own share.Generally, that is the first area where I like to see change. The second thing is a known fact. At a point in time, Oyo State and Ibadan in particular was seen as the dirtiest city in West Africa.Id like to change that; even if I do not do anything else, I want to make sure that we are seen as clean people; as very neat people, where the roads, the streets, are just like those of Lagos, even if you go to Rivers State, you will see changes. I would like to bring Oyo State back to the category of states where you move everywhere and you dont see any dirt. Id like to make that happen. The third area is infrastructure. Our roads

Opposition using demolition of illegal structures by government to campaign against governor

There are many questions inside that. The first one is about whether I am afraid that people can use demolition as a campaign issue against me. I think I should use it as a campaign issue to my own advantage.I am changing the environment; I am doing urban renewal; I am making the state better.Ill give you an example: first, what is the campaign issue?We are removing illegal structures. Go to Ogun State now, it is looking fantastically urbanized; they are pulling down houses and buildings and people are supporting the government. I have seen some categories of people to be moved. I have seen traders; people who trade on the main road, on the streets; people who trade on drainages, people who trade on flood plains. We are re-

We will leave them. You cannot do everything in one day. As far as I am concerned, all those trading on the streets will not be allowed to trade on the street. No. If people now want to use that and say `Ajimobi says there is no street trading, dont vote for him and people say `we wont vote for somebody who wants to remove us from the street; so be it. We are giving them other places. Are we not providing shops for them? The people that we are removing, are we not building markets for them? We are building markets. This is the first time a government will build markets for people without charging them anything; it is free of charge. Yes. Go and check. The people we removed from Under the Bridge (at Molete); we have provided Scout Camp (at Challenge) for them; they have not paid a penny, and we are building it and they are now singing our praises; they are thanking me.My question is, do you want to leave people to trade on the streets and allow vehicles to kill them? When there was problem with tension wire, it killed many people. Are you saying we should leave them there? We are removing street traders and you know the interesting thing, go through Ibadan now, go through it, you will be proud. In fact, when I was coming today, I was so glad Ibadan people are very obedient and they are very neat; even many of them have moved their yams, pepper off the street. Go out tomorrow and see for yourselves, you will be so happy. If you go to Agodi, go and see it. Everybody has now moved back. The place is now so neat. The median is fantastic; the street traders are now trading off the drainage. W e are

We will remove them. You would observe that during the last rainy season, there was no flooding. We have done a lot of clearing. We cleaned the drainage. We went round. Go through any of the streets now, you will see heaps and heaps of refuse on the median. Those ones used to be thrown inside the drainage. Have you ever asked `where are these coming from? Where were they before? They were inside the drainage, they were inside the river but now, we have been able to clear them.We have inculcated in our people that every day, you must bring your refuse to the median. we begin clearing them by 11 every night.Our people go around clearing the refuse left on the median.Our people are changing. They are responding to what we are doing. Even those abusing us at Molete under Bridge are now praising us. The Scout Camp market, a neighborhood market, will take 7,000 traders. Nobody has done that in the State before; we are building new markets. Since Bola Iges time, how many markets have they built in Oyo State? We are going to build at least 19 neighborhood markets. It is a noble idea.

On the delay on Secretariat/Bodija Bridge and Mokola Bridge

For me, they are still on schedule. Bridges are not built in one day. The Bodija Bridge, as you see it, was started during the rainy season and three times, flood washed them away; so they have to slow down for the rain to subside and I think they are delivering soon. It is fantastic; we are the first to do it. It has been there 10, 20 years; they did not do it. Now once it is completed, t h a t area

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will not flood again. The Mokola Bridge is also fantastic. They are doing quality construction there. That construction you see there, I think we must commend those contractors; even from University of Lagos, Engineering students have come there to look at what they are doing.The problem with us here is that no matter what you do, you will still be criticized.

Money to execute projects, with workers salaries gulping 92% of state revenue

I think the first thing is that we re-ordered our programmes. We also did some biometrics and some ghost workers were removed. Even our IGR has improved; we have introduced land use charge and so many avenues to bring in money. We have blocked some loopholes and leakages. We also did a lot of financial re-engineering. What we are telling our contractors is `go and take money from the bank. We do not need to be financing the projects and we also use contractors who have money, not those who talk of mobilization, but all the same, we give more to local contractors than outside contractors. We are not taking theseEwero construction companies. We are taking on big companies that have money to do business.The job they are doing there (Mokola bridge), they have done almost 80% of the job and we have only paid them about 40-60%. You say we are not patronizing local contractors. Who are the local contractors? You discover that when you give contract to those local contractors, they will sell it to the big contractors but those local contractors that are good, we are giving them job.No matter what anybody says, we are doing quality work.We dont want contractors that will do road this month and next month, there will be potholes. We do not want that.

I make bold to say that what we have achieved in the last 19 months, I dont think any government has achieved it in Oyo State.
ity and until date, we have not quarreled for one day. Go back to the days of Chief Bola Ige, up to Alhaji Lam Adesinas time, up to Ladojas, tell me which one of them that the House did not fight.Mention one. So what is politics? Politics is the art of balancing, not thuggery. May be I do not play politics of propaganda. Some people told me with what you have achieved with these people, we do not even hear it. Go ahead and make noise. Those who come to Ibadan, those who go to Oyo, they are saying that things are changing and it is not easy. We do not know politics but we are removing people from the streets and nobody is fighting. So what is politics?I left office as a corporate person and within eight months of coming into politics, I won election in a place where all the AD (Alliance for Democracy) members lost. I was the only Senator who won the election; you say I do not know politics.I contested the governorship election, I won. You say I do not know politics. How will I know politics?Who was putting Alhaji Lam Adesina in check when he was governor? Who was putting Chief Bola Ige in check when he was governor? Am I too young to be governor? Many governors are 45-48 years of age. I am 63! And you say they should put me in check!They can advise you; I just came back from Abuja today. I saw the Secretary of our party and he was telling me, you know the leader of the party accommodates everybody. We had a senatorial meeting, Oyo South and I told them, if people were to ask you a question about what Ajimobi told you today, just say he came, he begged all of us, pleading with us to unite. That is all. When Alhaji Lam was alive, to his credit, he did not disturb me. If I tell him I wanted to do this, he would say, is that what you want to do? Go ahead. Let us be honest. Papa Awolowo was 45 when he was the governor of Western Region. Who was putting him in check? I do not understand.I like the fact that you people are courageous and I like your asking that question but you owe us in this state and this nation to reorientate our people to a higher level of politics. Who is putting Obama in check? I am older than he is! What are people saying?

though I had never dealt with any other president, he is one of the most democratic I have seen. The way he responds to our issues, when we are at it, it is always like we are fighting, it is like the whole world would collapse and in another 30 minutes, we start joking with him. That is what Nigerians should be doing. That is why I appreciate the way you are talking.If they say a governor had stolen money, they will go to him and say, Oga we like your shoes; you are doing very well, people are praising you.They wont face him and say, they said you stole.I think people should start to challenge each other and there should be no hard feelings. once you finish, you joke, you laugh and go. Therefore, if Jubril Aminu said that, I know him, he is an intelligent man. I do not want to comment on that. As a governor, sometimes there are things expected of me and things that I am expected to say, but I refuse to accept that.

Impact of your upbringing

On the powers of governors in Nigeria

I think I have gone through the mills. You know, I worked in the corporate world.I had to struggle. I am not a big guy in size so I developed my brain so that what I do not have in size, I have in brain and I have used it to the best of my knowledge. Those who went to secondary schoolwith me, they know I am very strongwilled.Whatever I wanted, I worked for it, and I am very tenacious about it. I am very committed to whatever I want.I have also read many autobiographies and found out that men who succeed in life have an element of stubbornness, of doggedness. What is doggedness? It is being consistent, it is being persistent. In the oil industry, I learnt that those who are stubborn are those who discover oil. Those who leave it half way, I dont want to mention names, but there are some companies, they are known for leaving the rig, I mean the well, half way and they dont discover oil easily. It is that persistence; it is that doggedness that always gets result.

My sister here alleged that governors are very powerful. What powers do we have? In fact, in other climes like in America, governors are more powerful than we are. They control their states.The president cannot do anything to them. Here, you cannot. You had better be friendly with the police and every other person.We are not as powerful as you say. I have lived in America; I go to Englandall the time. I have visited other places, even their mayors, which is equivalent to our local government chairman, are extremely powerful. They control everything. Here, if you offend the Federal government, they do not give you your money. Then, you are in trouble.So where is the power? We had a president who said the commissioner of police should be following local leaders. We are not as powerful as you think.

Did you prepare for politics and governance?

No. However, I was born into politics. My father and grandfather were all politicians. In fact, my fathers brother, my uncle, was one of the first Ministers in the Western Region. He was Minister of Works and Transport.My father was in the State House of Assembly. My grandfather was a member of the Olubadan in Council.So, and what is politics really? For me, it is about balancing interests and to rise to any level in any organization, you must know politics.

Remitting money

Giant strides in Oyo State

Practice of full federalism

I make bold to say that what we have achieved in the last 19 months, I dont think any government has achieved it in Oyo State. Put politics aside. We can tabulate them facts for facts; no propaganda. Be it civil service reforms; be it infrastructure; whatever! We are building two five-star hotels at present on PPP. We are developing a new housing estate. We are paying 13th month salary for the second year running. We have paid 142% pension arrears that nobody wanted to pay. We have increased staff salary. We have moved people who they said had reached the bar. We have repositioned them and retrained them; we have removed the bar. We have trained more than 18,000 teachers and civil servants. We are constructing roads. We are introducing a new university that has signed anMOU with the Texas University of Technology. What we are saying is whatever we are doing, if we are stubborn, it is better to be stubborn and do them because those who are telling you to do things never did anything.

We are not practicing full federalism. I think that is what we should practice. In other federalist political set up, the states are autonomous, local governments are autonomous, they have state police, they dont even talk to the federal. Whatever you get from your states is your own.Everything, including your mineral resources. However, in Nigeria, if you discover coconut, it is federal; oil, it is federal; everything it is federal, gold, federal. So, I think it is the federal government that is too powerful, not the states. We are not really practicing federalism. What concerns federal government in doingroads in my state? Why are they doing roads in Oyo State?

Youknow, I am a stubborn person! (Laughter) Honestly, I must confess, I have not heard of any ACN governor saying they remit money. Honestly, I have not heard. I am sincere. God sees my heart. I have not heard any and nobody has asked me to remit money.

What to be remembered for

I want to be remembered as the governor of the modern Oyo State. You know Chief Obafemi Awolowo, our father, all these things you are seeing, he built them.I want to be remembered as somebody who modernized Oyo State, bringing in new hotels, which I am doing now, legacy projects, hotels, fly-overs, and dualization infrastructure; if there is anything, governor of infrastructure, of modern Oyo State.

The history of nosecond term in Oyo State.How safe are you in 2015?

Report of your wife being caught in London

On agreement with Senator Ladoja

We had an agreement. We said we would give him a certain percentage of appointment. It was an agreement between us, not between his party and my party and I started to implement the agreement.Sen. Ladoja is aware of my challenges. I am the first governor in the history of this state who has gone so far - 19 months and has not quarreled with the House of Assembly and you say I do not know politics. I am the first governor who has three strong parties in one Assembly where initially we were even in the minor-

Allegation that governors are not interested in development:

I think life is very interesting. Jubril Aminu is a very intelligent person. I have not read what he said, but if he said that, Itakesolace in the fact that he was never a governor and he never attended governors meeting so he would not know what they are doing there. If he has an experience of any governor, I am sure he could not have said that.There are many intelligent governors. They are very, very intelligent.I think, even this President Jonathan, o n w a r d

You have talked about second term or people being afraid, all I want to do is make a difference. How many terms did Papa Awolowo serve and yet, we are talking about him today?They keep talking about that man; he spent only five years. He did not spend ten years (as Premier).How many years did Jesus use to preach? Three years and they are still talking about him. Mohammend, how many years? Therefore, it is not the number of years and I am not afraid of 1st term or second term. My own is, I want to do well. If I do well and people appreciate it, I want to come back again, will try, if they say yes, fine; if they say no, no.There are about 10million people in Oyo State. I am spending four years to govern the state.Take four years, divide it with 10million people. That is how much? 2500? 2500 years! So before each of us gets to be governor, it is 25000 years! Therefore, if I am lucky in my own years and it gets to my turn, I should not be bad about other people having a chance. o f a j u m o s e

I even spoke to her that day and when I was talking; somebody came and said, ova,mummy I said, what is wrong with her? I said I am speaking to her on the phone now. He said, they said she carried 400 million or 400,000 pounds. I said my wifeke? Not my own wife! When I told someone, he said, ignore it. I called the governor of Ekiti State. He said, look, ignore it, they have written my own. They said they have locked him up for twenty something days, let us forget it. Then later on, I called my media people, my Chief of Staff, my Media Adviser. They said, oga, forget it. I called my wife and said you carried money, where did you get the money? She said which money? I said, they said you carried 400,000 pounds.She said, ah ah, if I get that amount, I would not come back! Honestly, she felt bad, stating that she does not play politics and she is only supporting me. They should abuse me and not her.I said, when you too are going around as First Lady, First Lady, you do not know there is a price for it!

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We are running a good race - Ajimobi

Being text of a 2013Budgetspeechdelivered by the governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, at the Oyo State House of Assembly, on January 14, 2013.
t gladdens my heart to stand before you today to present the Year 2013BudgetProposal for Oyo State tagged Budget of Transformation, for consideration by the Honourable House. In my view, the content and structure of the proposal have captured, as far as possible, our shared vision for our beloved State. We are all aware of the enormous challenges which this administration was confronted with on assumption of office in May 2011 and today, I am delighted to inform you that we have successfully laid a solid foundation for the restoration of the State to its pace-setter status.We have made tremendous efforts in expanding the frontiers of democracy and good governance. We have maintained a cordial working relationship with both the legislature and the judiciary in an atmosphere of mutual respect.We have promoted peace in the State through a journey that featured a partnership with the people, encapsulated in the theme,Ki Oyo lee daa, Ajumose gbogbo wa ni. I had mentioned in my last budgetspeechthat in any change process initial challenges are always envisaged and indeed wefaced a lot of challenges in the preceding year.However, with the support and encouragement of the good people of Oyo State, we have remained focused and undaunted in our mission to transform the State and make it one of the best states in the country. I had stated that sacrifice will be required from all concerned, especially the administrative and political leadership, in our joint efforts towards the restoration and transformation of this State for her positive future and for her people, especially the generations unborn. I have no doubt that I can always count on your support as we embark on the journey to the desired destination.

Good Governance and Strategic Alliances

Peace and Security

With reference to my speech last year we have now commenced the institutionalization of processes and systems to ensure popular participation, transparency and accountability in public governance. We have developed enduring strategic alliances with local and international development communities, which were at the lowest ebb at the time we came to power in May 2011. Notable examples include the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and other related documentswith the World Bank, Bank Of Industry, Karma Foods, Sheraton Four Points, Aso Savings and Loans Plc., Islamic Development Bank and African Development Bank amongst others . In my lastspeechI mentioned that the relative peace and security being enjoyed in the State in the past months were the outcomes of some of our recent efforts, and weare not resting on our oars. We have increased the capacity of the Operation Burst.We also set up a State Security Trust Fund in our continued efforts to further guarantee the safety of lives and property in the State.We have also committed ourselves to providing necessary support to security agencies in the State to make them efficient and effective. Through our free Health Mission, we continue to provide free checks and treatment to people across the State. In addition, we are launching a free ambulance service and a free health care scheme. We continue to intensify the immunisation against childhood diseases such as measles, polio etc in the State. Last year, I stated that we created 20,000 jobs under the YES-O scheme and were also launching 1,000 Keke Ajumose to address the challenges of unemployment, ensuring safety on our roads, and crime prevention and control in our society. I am happy to report that the YES-O scheme continues to be a success and has attracted funding support from the Federal Government. The cadets have been deployed to critical areas like environmental law enforcement,

Environment and Habitat

public works, agriculture and education to improve the socio-economic life of our people. In the outgone year, Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform you and the Honourable House that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has provided training programmes to over 1,000 women to empower them economically.We have equally provided funds and working tools to over 1,500 women in the last one year in sundry economic activities to equip them for decent economic life.I am proud, Madam Speaker, to recall that this Honourable House has indeed passed a motion to acknowledge and commend the giant strides of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Health Services

Wealth Creation and Economic Empowerment

REVIEW OF 2012BUDGET PERFORMANCE

Education

Madam Speaker, as we confront the enormous environmental challenges and move towards the urban renewal of our State, I can report that we have done extensive work to clean up the State Capital and beautify our cities.I am happy to report that our people have cooperated well in the quest for environmental sanitation and Ibadan and the whole of Oyo State will soon rank among the cleanest places in Nigeria. A major indication that we are succeeding in this area is that while other parts of the country were tragically ravaged by flood last year, Oyo State was saved from another flood disaster. Still on urban renewal, We observed that our people have imbibed the negative culture of illicit street and roadside trading, particularly in Ibadan. The danger in street trading is quite obvious. Apart from hampering free flow of vehicular movement and making our environment unwholesome, articulated vehicles do, on a regular basis, lose control resulting in deaths of our people. As we move traders from the streets, under the bridges and tension wire, we have commenced construction of neighbourhood markets with modern facilities where our traders and their clients can buy and sell with relative comfort.I wish to assure the good people of Oyo State that every neighbourhood will be provided with these facilities. Building on our deliveries last year, we have successfully secured accreditation of courses at the Polytechnic, Ibadan and College of Agriculture, Igboora; paid N396 million WAEC fees of final year students in 2012; produced and distributed exercise books for pupils in primary

Infrastructure

schools; supplied sciences and home economic equipments to secondary schools; rehabilitated over 200 blocks for class-rooms across the State; resolved the ownership crisis of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso; and secured NUCs approval for the establishment of The Technical University, Ibadan among others. I am pleased to inform you, Madam Speaker, that our initiatives have started yielding results in secondary school education. For instance, when this Government assumed office in 2011, Oyo State was placed 34 out of 36 States in the performance sheet of WAEC result.However, through our initiatives, we moved to 23rdposition in 2012. Our goal is to place Oyo State among the first third states in the WAEC scoresheet.

Infrastructure is the foundation of modern economic development, hence our focus on the provision of infrastructure.In the last one year, we have Rehabilitated 199 roads and 7 bridges across the State. Embarked on construction of a fly-over bridge at Mokola, Ibadan which is now at advanced stage of completion. Embarked on construction of two 5-star Hotels in Ibadan through PPP arrangement. Commenced dualization of over 10 roads across the State. Every major entrance to every major city in Oyo State will be dualised. Completed the construction of a pilot motor park at Temidire, Ibadan in our drive towards decongesting our highways and enhance safety of lives.The construction of another modern motor park at Podo, Ibadan has reached an advance stage.

Staff Development and Welfare

Our Performance

The budget performance of the State was 43.05% in 2010, 46.68% in 2011 and 73% in 2012. This is a steady improvement in the States budget performance during the period under review. This reflects the concerted effort of my administration in pursuing the infrastructure reform required to return us to our pacesetter origin. Madam Speaker, we are happy to state that this administration continues to make significant improvements in the quality of the States fiscal operations since we came into power on May 29, 2011. For example, we continue to leverage on the new orientation that is mainstreaming people as the beginning and the end of any legitimate and credible economic policy process. We continue to enhance the level and quality of participation in economic and other public policies, thereby fostering the initiation and implementation of people-centered programmes and projects. Our deliverables to the people from our public outlay since can be attested to by all objective observers. Some of these are highlighted as follows:

We have continued to emphasize capacity building for our workforce in order to enable them discharge their duties creditably. We, again, promise that this will continue until we have a workforce that is first among others, and also able and willing to evolve and productively manage a private sector led Oyo State economy. We continue to adopt a long-term perspective to achieving this goal by, among others, restoring the glorious past of our educational standard. We continue to evolve necessary strategies and procedures towards achieving this goal.The government has to date, trained over 13,000 public servants. We have introduced a Workers

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We have promoted peace in the State through a journey that featured a partnership with the people, encapsulated in the theme, Ki Oyo le daa, Ajumose gbogbo wa ni.

Insurance Scheme and we shall soon launch a free transport scheme for our workers.We have increased car and housing allowance to civil servants by one hundred percent. We have maintained the prompt payment of workers salaries not later than 25thof every month and we have also continued to effect the payment of 13thmonth salary as bonus incentive for all staff. Madam Speaker, I am bold and proud to state that these achievements were recorded because of the support of the House of Assembly.I cannot thank you, Madam Speaker and all members of the House, enough for your support.

We are presenting a total budget of N152bn. The recurrent expenditure of N82.97bn represents 54.55%, while the capital expenditure of N69.15bn represents 45.1%, of the totalbudget. Our strategy for achieving this will depend greatly on aggressive internal revenue generation (IGR), through more effective and efficient tax administration, as well as extending our tax net to those that are hitherto outside the net. We will come back to this House shortly to request for necessary legislative muscle, not only on taxation, but also on other sundry regulatory issues that are due for review or to be proposed. 223The structure of 2013 budgetary proposal reflects the priority the Government has accorded the various sectors in terms of their anticipated developmental effects. Consequently, the relative aggregate sectoral allocations are as follows: i. Economy sector (including infrastructure) 36.26% ii. Social Services sector 24.13% iii. General Administration 25.46% iv. Regional Development 14.15% The high percentage of 60.39% of the totalbudgetallocated to the economic and social services sectors underscores the State Governments determination to pursue a people-centered, employment driven economic agenda. We consider this strategy as the best antidote to the problem of poverty among our people. The Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budgeting will present a detailed analysis of the States 2013 approvedBudgetat a public forum in due course.

SIZE OF 2013BUDGET

minimizing the menace of corruption, as well as enhancing the productivity of the workforce; vi. Mainstreaming public-private-partnership framework towards the provision of adequate semi-public goods and services; vii. Emphasis on environmentally sustainable public policies and economic governance processes; and viii. Mobilizing resources from eligible sources towards the generation of selffinancing but development-inducing investment flows in the State.

CONCLUSION

2013BUDGET PROPOSALS

Against the background above, the 2013budgetproposals have been guided by our desire to restore, transform and reposition the State to its former pacesetter status over the medium-term. The 2013 fiscal year will therefore focus on laying the foundation for this restructuring, hence it is tagged as the Budgetof Transformation.

Policy Thrust and Philosophy

In line with the above, we have anchored the 2013 budgetary proposals on some policy thrust and philosophy. These include, but are not limited to the following: i. Realism of budgetary proposals will remain our watch word; ii. Prioritization and calendarisation of capitalbudgetimplementation; iii. Entrenching value-chain approach to sectoral development, especially in areas such as in Agriculture, investment promotion, and so on; iv. Mainstreaming administrative and independent monitoring and evaluation ofbudgetimplementation, with a view to deriving maximum value-for-money on public outlay, thereby maximizing its resultant positive effects on the lives of the citizenry; v. Institutionalization of e-governance through ingenious application of modern information technology, as a means of

Madam Speaker, esteemed Honourable Members, our highly respectable traditional rulers, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the outgoing year posed several challenges to our administration. Incidentally, this has provided a rallying point for purposeful partnership among the Executive, Legislature, the various categories of leaders and the people of Oyo State, which enabled us to collectively surmount these challenges. For this, I hereby to express my profound gratitude to the leadership and members of the State House of Assembly, as well as other key stakeholder groups in the State. The year 2013Budgethas been carefully structured towards consolidating the gains of the previous year.I therefore solicit your support for its effective, efficient and resultsoriented implementation. I also look forward to counting on your continued support in the years ahead. Madam Speaker, Honourable members of the House of Assembly, it is with great pleasure and delight that I hereby present this 2013 Oyo StateBudgetof Transformationfor your consideration and timely passage. I wish all the people of Oyo State, a prosperous 2013. God bless Madam Speaker, God bless the Honourable members of Oyo State House of Assembly, God bless our royal fathers and traditional rulers, God bless the government and good people of Oyo State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you. o n w a r d m a r c h o f a j u m o s e

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A REMINDER FROM THE GOOD PEOPLE OF OYO STATE.

Wondering how to succeed in the global economic downturn? Maybe its time to ask yourself where instead. Oyo State, an inland state in South Western Nigeria, is one of the most urbanized States in Nigeria. Its centralized location makes it the ideal low-cost distribution point for the South West; it also guarantees accessibility to the nations seaport and efficient transportation for both imports and exports. For details about why Procter and Gamble, Nigerian Breweries, British American Tobbacco and many others value Oyo State real estate so highly, Please call +234 (0) 806 375 3107 or visit the Oyo State Ministry of Trade, Investment and Cooperatives, Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Business Success Hinges On Location, Location, Location!

oyo state of nigeria