Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State asserts that he has shattered the tradition of political lineage determining success in the state. Makinde made this statement during the Student’ Legislative Summit, hosted by Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin in collaboration with the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan, on Wednesday. The event was attended by dignitaries including Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Okawande, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, represented at the event, as well as Speakers from Osun and Eliot State House of Assembly.
During his address, the governor noted that there was once a time when familial connections determined political success in the state. However, he emphasized that he has successfully overturned that trend.
Makinde elaborated, stating that his own father held no significant political influence, yet the people of Oyo state entrusted him with leadership. He further urged Nigerian youths to play a more proactive role in governance, stressing the importance of leadership on preparing them for the future.
”For us here, we have seen the common situation where “who is your father’ was the order of the day but we have been able to break that in Oyo State. My father was a ‘nobody’ and the Oyo State people still gave me the opportunity to lead.”
“We may not be able to prepare the future for the youth, but we can prepare the youth for the future. Please, don’t see this event as just an opportunity to look at the issue of leadership in this country. And, in me, Seyi Makinde, the youth have an ally and we will prepare the leaders of next generation amongst the youth.”
“I am here this afternoon to encourage the youth. If you look at the history of Nigeria, we had our independence in 960 and six years after, in 1966, the person that became the Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, was 31 years and some months old . After him, during the Second Republic, former President Obasanjo retired as a General at the age of 39.”
“You should dream big; people have ruled this country at very tender ages. So, for you, don’t think that at 29 or 30, you are too young to rule and I am glad, because this is almost like catching them early.”
“You have the students here and in about three years, some of you will be out there to move on. If I were you, I wouldn’t start looking for work; I would start doing my own thing at a very early age of 24 or 25. With the kind of energy you still have, you can pull down the kingdom of Satan.”