Nigeria has been producing governors but never has one emerged with the kind of world view as the one being held by the present governor of Oyo State, Engineer Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde.
The astute politician has continued to surprise both admirers and adversaries. This is because he has a different approach to all issues including those concerning effective and efficient governance.
As he marks his 53rd birthday, PMParrot here presents a dozen cogently important facts folks need to know about this Ibadan-born techno-politician.
- Makinde is a man who never, at any time loses focus when he is bent on toeing a particular path. He rarely forgets gestures – kind or otherwise. Those close enough to him are aware of this fact.
- He started pursuing his gubernatorial ambition right from the time he left the University of Lagos. Ask his friends to confirm his age when he built a block of classrooms for his alma mater, Bishop Phillips Academy, Iwo Road. He was barely 30.
- He knew the best he could do for himself was to work hard and always think beyond any consideration for the proverbial ‘box’. So, between 1992 and 1997, he worked extra-hard as a field Engineer (Eket operations) for Rebold International Limited and in 1995, he was appointed as Field Manager in the same company.
- By 1997 precisely, he was ready to float his own company which he christened Makon Engineering & Technical Services (METS). He was just aged 29.
- Many also do not know that by 2002, he was big enough to hire the services of at least six police officers to be on his convoy. (E shock you?). He steadily grew bigger till God and the people of Oyo State asked him to occupy the gubernatorial seat in the state in 2019.
- His late mother who would have been 81 on November 7, 2020 died when Engineer Makinde needed her most…she was supposed to, according to eye witness account, deliver a divine message to him before her demise but the exigencies involved as a governor made him miss the opportunity…
- However, those close to Governor Makinde are quite aware that he was and perhaps, he is still ‘Daddy’s boy’! He was excessively closer to late Pa Olatubosun Makinde, his father.
- Who else knows that Seyi Makinde rides and owns ‘power bikes’? Do not say you read it here o!
- In addition, he does not joke with physical exercises. He ‘works out’ religiously any time he has the opportunity. However, he loves the game of Lawn Tennis to a fault. Several times, he would stay awake all night to watch tennis tournaments.
- Till today, nobody has officially asked him the correlation between his political slogan ‘Omin Tuntun’ and the name of his adorable wife, Tamunominini. Is there really a connection?
- Apart from Tamunominini, another closest pal of the Governor is Otunba Adeseye Famojuro. Many, perhaps do not know that they have, over several years, seen the good, the bad and the ugly together.
- Makinde is ready to govern with the utmost fear of God – following God’s directives at all times even if it looks as if he is the only one in the boat. This is why he is bent on running the state with due consideration for fairness, honesty and efficiency.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
