Gov. Seyi Makinde on Sunday in Ibadan said God’s intervention helped the government and people of Oyo State to go through turbulent times in the year 2024.

“2024 had been really turbulent, but God has given us the strength to keep pushing,” he said in his remarks at the 2024 Christmas Carol and Service of Nine Lessons organised by the state government.

Makinde recalled the Jan.

The governor also pointed at the recent stampede at Islamic High School at Basorun in Ibadan which took the lives of not less than 35 innocent children.

He then reiterated his administration’s commitment to the growth and development of Oyo State, saying the state’s development had been his priority since 2019 when he assumed office.

The governor thanked the state House of Assembly’ Speaker and all members of the Assembly for the timely passage of the 2025 state budget, which he would sign into law on Monday.

He also commended the judiciary for working together with the two other arms of government “for us to have harmony in the running of government in the state”.

Makinde equally thanked religious leaders and the people of the state for their support, noting that the cooperation of the people made it possible for his administration to achieve success.

“I use this opportunity also to thank traditional rulers for maintaining peace in their various domains,” he said.

In his exhortation, the Presiding Bishop, Christ Life Church, Wale Oke, implored Nigerians to embrace light and abstain from darkness.

“Corruption, inequity, partiality, idolatry, among others, are agents of darkness,” he said.

Report says that the governor read the ninth lesson of the service while his wife Tamunominini read the eighth lesson.

The event, which was held at the Remembrance Arcade at Government House in Ibadan, involved prayers for government functionaries, political leaders and the entire people of the state.(NAN)

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has mourned the passing of a veteran journalist and National Treasurer of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) Hajia Rafatu Salami who died in Abuja.

Ododo condoled with members of her immediate family, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the management of Voice of Nigeria (VON) where she worked as an Assistant Director, Digital Media until her death.

“As we mourn the passing of our sister and one of the outstanding female journalists in Nigeria, we are comforted by her legacy of remarkable achievements as a courageous professional and a caring mother as well as her compassion for humanity, unwavering integrity and dedication to public service”, Ododo said.

The Governor prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul and for God to grant her family the fortitude to cope with the pain of the loss.

The late Hajia Rafatu Salami who hails from Ihima in Okehi local government area of Kogi State died at the age of 55 and has been buried at the Gudu cemetery in Abuja according to Islamic rites.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has again commended the officers and men of the 16th Brigade of the Nigerian Army for their show of professionalism and commitment while working for the peace and security of the state.

Diri gave the commendation over the weekend while speaking as a special guest of honour at this year’s West African Social Activities (WASA) event of the Nigerian Army at the Brigade headquarters in Yenagoa.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies, describing the synergy existing between the Nigerian Army and other security services as topnotch and productive.

He said Bayelsa would not have been ranked as one of the safest states for living, investments and other socio-economic activities in the country without the sacrifices being made by the Nigerian Army and its sister security agencies.

According to him, the efforts, professionalism and commitment to duty being displayed by the military officers were quite commendable, assuring that the government would continue to support the Brigade and other security agencies to do what was needed to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.

Diri also commended the spouses of the military officers for their understanding and support, underscored the importance of the yearly WASA event which helps to improve military and civilian relations.

The state Chief Executive who called for better cooperation between the military and their host communities, urged all security agencies to work harder to make Bayelsa the unarguably safest state in Nigeria.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Brigade Commander of the 16th Brigade, Brig. Gen. Oluremi Obolo, explained that the West African Social Activities (WASA) event was an age-long sociocultural activity celebrated annually in all military formations in the Nigerian Army.

Brigadier General Obolo said the event was meant to bring soldiers of all ranks together, with their families and civilian friends to integrate, socialize and mix friendly away from routine regimental life, and to formally mark the end of the year’s training and operational activities.

He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, by whose directive the celebration was marked, the Governor Douye Diri, and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and other dignitaries who contributed to the success of the programme.