Oyo state governor; Engr Seyi Makinde, has stated that his administration will continue to maintain the religious and ethnic tolerance that exists in the state.
The governor made the remarks while hosting Muslim faithful to Iftar at the executive Lodge of Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan. He also stated that no one in the state will be allowed to create religious strife between Muslims and Christians.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the governor has called for citizen participation in government business, adding that if anyone notices mistakes made by his government, he or she should bring it to the governor’s attention, and it will be investigated and corrected as soon as possible.
Governor Makinde similarly promised to address the Muslim Community’s concerns about the management of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), noting that he is pleased with the work of both the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education.
The statement in parts:
“I am very happy tonight to host you all to this iftar and pray that we shall celebrate more on earth. Even, we will celebrate that of next year in this same place by the grace of God.
“In Oyo State, the spirit between Christians and Muslims shows that no one can succeed in creating religious disharmony in our midst. I will say it once again that despite being the governor, I am not the richest, wealthiest or all-knowing. It was only the will of God that came to pass, which brought me here.
“So, what this means is if you observe the government is making a mistake, point it out genuinely to us and we will look at it together. There are some people who are hell bent in spreading fake news to cause disaffection in the public. I can assure everyone that we will not shy away from correcting any mistake we are making. If whatever decision we take is wrong, we will correct it. So, I beg you to always call our attention to whatever mistake you think we are making.
“I have also noted what you said you observed about TESCOM. Most times, I try to balance things out but in certain instances, I try to look at what some people have to offer our government. The Commissioner for Education and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry are both Muslims. They are doing what is expected of them and I am happy with them.
“I was reviewing some of the things we have done and I have seen instances where a Muslim was pushing for balancing in a particular area. So, since the issue of TESCOM is a concern to the Muslim community, we will address it. There is religious and ethnic harmony in Oyo State despite the confusion some elements are tying to create for us.
“When the clash at Sasa happened, it would have snowballed into a serious crisis that would have even consumed Nigeria if God had not taken control. So, I want us to be circumspect. If anything bad wants to happen to Nigeria, it will begin from South West, particularly Ibadan.
“Let me remind us that ‘Operation Wetie’ started here and gradually snowballed into civil war and we are still battling the challenge till today because it was the civil war that led to the overcentralisation of power at the federal level.
“Also, the restructuring we have been clamoring for can be traced back to all these past events. So, when some people think they can create confusion and cause disharmony so that they can take over power by force, sometimes, generation yet unborn can later suffer from the outcome of such act.
“So, I really thank you all our fathers and mothers here for your cooperation.”
Members of the Imam and Alafas from Ibarapa, Okeogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo, and Ibadan had already praised governor Makinde for being fair and just to all religions in separate goodwill greetings.
Imams and Alfas, political office holders, clerics, and a slew of others were in attendance during the event.
Makinde Hosts Muslim Faithfuls To Iftar, Promises Swift Action on TESCOM Brouhaha
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