Oyo State Government has reiterated mandatory safety guidelines to corporate bodies, event planners, and individuals organizing Valentine’s Day celebrations, emphasizing that the day should be observed safely and responsibly.

The Government also warned that failure to comply with the directives will result in severe consequences under the law.

In a statement by the commissioner for information, Prince Dotun Oyelade said the move is in response to the anticipated increase in social gatherings during the Valentine’s celebrations.

The commissioner emphasized the importance of involving security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun, and Operation Burst, in the planning process.

He stated that their involvement is crucial to ensuring comprehensive logistics and security measures are in place for safe gatherings.

The commissioner also noted the importance of maintaining health protocols, such as good hygiene, proper ventilation, and staying updated on health advisories.

He noted that event planners must also reach a consensus with both security and medical personnel regarding venue selection.

He said the State Ministry of Health and the Hospitals Management Board, along with private hospitals when necessary, must be engaged to guarantee sufficient medical support during events.

The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said this while featuring on a Splash FM radio station programme.

He said that the reason Oyo State came third in contribution to VAT among the 36 States of the federation and the FCT is because the right stimulus is being deployed to trigger the economic potential of the State.

With no seaports to beef up its economy and a paltry ₦5 billion monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to Lagos’ ₦65 billion, many analysts were surprised that Oyo State can still rank third in contribution to VAT.

But Prince Oyelade explains: “Governor Seyi Makinde stimulates the economy by pumping ₦6.4 billion into the State economy on the 25th day of every month for almost five years, which culminates in over ₦77 billion every year to the State workforce.

“Of course, that figure has changed this January 2025, with the payment of ₦80,000 minimum wage, resulting in ₦12 billion per month and ₦143 billion annually.

“The consistency of these salaries and wages not only allows the over 130,000 Government workers (the largest government workforce in the South West) to plan their lives, it also allows farmers and produce buyers to bring their foodstuffs to the markets on good roads and with sufficient confidence that they will sell out their goods.

“The sheer consistency of salary payments on a given day has upgraded kátàkárà and opened up patronage for artisans of different persuasions.”

The commissioner for Information also said that the increase in Real sector and Hospitality businesses that has attracted an influx of investors into Oyo State is also stimulating the economy.

He recalled that between May 2019 and May 2024, hospitality centres in Oyo State increased from 1,424 to 5,342, which represents a 221% rise.

Prince Oyelade noted that Investors apart, the surge of families who are resettling in Oyo State as a result of better infrastructure, space, good roads and affordable standards of living are also impacting on the stimulation of the economy of the State.

In the VAT 2024 Release, the South-West contributed the largest amount of ₦3.11 trillion in VAT to the federation while the South South came second with ₦1.08 trillion.

Of the ₦3.11 trillion contributed by the South-West, Oyo State contributed ₦272.41 billion.

The Oyo State Government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with key stakeholders to enhance domestic tourism and cultural activities for economic growth and development.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, stated this on Tuesday while receiving the National President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Prince Adetunji Fadina, in his office.

Dr. Olatubosun emphasized that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has significantly changed the tourism narrative in Oyo State through various initiatives. He noted that these efforts have positioned the state ahead of others in tourism development.

“Our target is to make Oyo State the preferred tourists destination. Governor Seyi Makinde has created an enabling environment for tourism to thrive by improving infrastructure, security, and road networks. This ensures that tourists can move freely and enjoy their visits,” he said.

In his remarks, ATPN President Prince Adetunji Fadina commended Governor Makinde for appointing Dr. Olatubosun as the commissioner for the newly created ministry, describing it as a “round peg in a round hole.”

He praised the commissioner’s efforts in promoting tourism in the state and assured him of ATPN’s commitment to collaboration.

“I am aware of your activities in the ministry, and I believe it is only right to be part of this progress. I can assure you that we will work together to develop tourism and boost revenue for the state,” Fadina said

Also the Nation Vice President of the Association Hon Samson Nunayon Prince Apata in his remark commended the commissioner for his open arms and pledge collaboration with the ministry and other relevant stakeholders.

The commissioner  and the ministry’s permanent secretary and directors  was decorated as member of the ATPN.

The Oyo State Government has issued a stern warning to corporate bodies, event planners, and anyone planning any celebrations in respect of St. Valentine’s Day to ensure they adhere to the State rules and regulations.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade in a statement said many broadcast stations have been airing adverts and promotions inviting people to celebrate Valentine’s Day at various venues.

The commissioner emphasized that all stakeholders planning such events must actively involve security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun, Operation Burst, and other security arms, to ensure they have proper logistics in place for seamless gatherings.

The Commissioner also insisted that there must be a consensus between the planners, security and medical personnel on the choices of the venues.

It added that the State Ministry of Health and the Hospitals Management Board must be involved, along with private hospitals where necessary, to ensure adequate medical support.

The Commissioner warned that anyone who flouts this directive will face the full wrath of the law. He reminded the public that the State is still mourning the unnecessary death of 35 children at a gathering in Ibadan on the 18th of December, 2024.

Governor Seyi Makinde has approved 45 new Permanent Secretaries, and three Executive Secretaries into relevant sectors of the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade made the disclosure in a statement on Friday.

According to a document which was signed by the Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, 16 Permanent Secretaries are deployed into the mainstream, six newly appointed Inspectors General of Education, six Permanent Secretaries into the health sector, seven new Permanent Secretaries into the local government sector, one new Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House of Assembly, a newly appointed Surveyor General and nine newly appointed Tutors General.

According to the Commissioner for Information, “This new set of appointments is unique and a clear break from the norm where the Mainstream civil servants enjoy the virtual monopoly of being appointed as Permanent Secretaries.

“This time, Governor Makinde has approved for Local Governments to have more Permanent Secretaries than the usual token in time past.

“As a matter of fact, seven new Permanent Secretaries have now been approved in the Local Government sector.”

The Commissioner noted that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will now have zonal Executive Secretaries.

Similarly, the health sector will have Permanent Secretaries to head their zones instead of the usual Heads of Hospitals.

The Commissioner recalled that over 23,000 government workers have been recruited and over ₦143 billion will be paid yearly to government workers from this month which makes Oyo a frontline state in the welfare of workers throughout the Federation.

Oyo State Executive Council has approved the Business-Enabling Reforms Action Plan (BERAP) in order to push the economic development agenda of the State in 2025.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the approval will further enhance the ease of doing business and encourage more investors to come to the state to do business.

Presenting the memo before the Executive Council on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musbau Babatunde, said BERAP will improve access to skilled labour for corporate organisations through the use of the labour electronic register.

According to him, it will also facilitate the establishment of an Export Cluster for cashew, shea butter, arts and crafts.

He noted that, by the approval, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State will improve while the expected Non-Oil Export revenue will trigger the economy of the State.

According to the plan, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is to work with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the Oyo State Investment Promotion Agency and the office of the Accountant-General to implement the Business-Enabling Reforms Action Plan, starting from 2025.

The Council also appreciated the kind gesture of Governor Seyi Makinde through the financial support he gave to Mr. Sola Ajayi, a Senior Cameraman with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) who had spinal cord injury as a result of an accident.

The Governor thanked members of the Executive Council for their focus and cooperation during the outgoing year and said that year 2025 will be more challenging even as he assured that government will remain resolute in achieving its objectives.

Oyo State Government has approved the provision of additional 14 Mobile Court vans and Security vehicles for the newly established Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority headed by Justice Aderonke Aderemi (Rtd.)

This, according to the Government is in a bid to quicken the dispensation of Justice by fortifying the legal and security arms.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade gave the hint in a statement on Friday.

He said the resolve was reached at the 12th State Executive Council meeting.

The Commissioner recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde had said that justice delayed is justice denied, hence the provision of legal empowerment to the Rule of Law Authority to expedite judgement and sanction law breakers on the spot.

He added that the Executive Council also approved the procurement of equipment for the improvement and integration of security agencies communication network.

“In the same manner, the Council approved the branding of 42 vehicles for Operation Burst and Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, OYRTMA.

“The Commissioner recalled that early in the year, over 100 vehicles with communication gadgets were procured for Amotekun and Operation Burst, including the Military and the Police”, the statement reads in part.

Oyo state government has banned heavy-duty trucks and trailers from plying the newly commissioned Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Expressway.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade said the decision became necessary in safeguarding the integrity of the road which is pivotal for enhancing agrarian transportation, trade, and intercity commuting.

He stressed the Ministry of Public Works has been mobilised to act immediately to prevent damage to the expressway, which was designed for lighter vehicles such as cars and buses.

Corroborating the stance, Commissioner for Public Works, Professor Dawoud Sangodoyin explained that the move came in response to the diversion of heavy-duty vehicles from the incomplete federal government Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomosho Road.

He emphasized the importance of the expressway in boosting the state’s economy.

He said, “This road was designed primarily to link the state’s agrarian transportation, traders, and intercity commuters, all targeting the development of Oyo State’s economy.”

He added that the incursion of heavy trailers could structurally affect the road, despite its resilience, and defeat the purpose for which it was built.

“Only buses, cabstars, and cars are permitted to use the route until further notice”, he added.

Sangodoyin said the Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Expressway, spanning 76.67 kilometers through previously uncharted terrain of lakes and rocks, was commissioned on May 30, 2024.

He added that project is expected to enhance transportation and economic activities within the state.

Oyo State Government is set to screen 347, 304 individuals as ‘Project 10 Million Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers’ commences in Ibadan, the capital city.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi stated this at the unveiling of the Project 10 Million with the members of the State Executive Cabinet at the office of the Governor.

According to the Commissioner, the Project 10 Million is a nationwide screening initiative, aimed at screening 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT within a 7 days period in October, 2024.

Dr. Ajetumobi explained that the objective of the project is to screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes, promoting early detection, prevention, and control of cardiometabolic diseases, using the slogan – “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers”

She added that “knowing your vital health metrics empowers you to take timely actions and make the right decision concerning your health, while controlling them prevents complications that may arise from ignorance or neglect”.

The Commissioner said the screening will include blood pressure and blood sugar tests to detect hypertension and diabetes, alongside other anthropometric measurements that pertain to the health of the heart, blood vessels and general body metabolism processes.

She stressed that the screening process is safe and uses standard, point-of-care testing.

“The Nigerian Health Commissioner’s Forum is initiating the project and executing in partnership with professional bodies, developmental agencies, and donors. Project 10 Million will utilize a team of trained healthcare workers who will visit various communities within each state.

They will set up temporary screening stations at designated locations, making the screening accessible to the community”, she said.

The Commissioner concluded that everyone aged 18 years and above are eligible for the screening and the screening is absolutely free.

She added, “This means that you do not have to make any payment for the registration as well as other services accessed during the screening exercise”.

Dr. Ajetumobi said participants will receive their test results and counseling on the spot.m, adding that people who have abnormal results will receive some first contact care or be referred to nearby government-owned health facilities for further evaluation, treatment and follow-up care.

Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun on Saturday said Governor Seyi Makinde has done more for the people of state than during his first tenure in office.

This, he said has allayed the historical phobia people usually have of second term governors and their performances.

According to Oyelade, 335.19km of roads have been constructed since 2019, out of which 144.37km were constructed in the first four years and 190.82km commissioned in just 17 months into the second term.

He said the ongoing 110km circular road project has its bridges and interchanges on the South East segment of the circular road completed with a projection of 100 percent delivery in 24 months, adding that the circular road will make the state most accessible to all road networks in the country.

The Commissioner recalled that, earlier in the week, the Civil Service Commission announced the recruitment of 791 workers into the mainstream, noting that 692 education officers, 60 environmental health officers, 19 lands officers, 30 lawyers had also earlier been recruited into the mainstream of the Oyo state Civil Service.

“If the 791 new recruits are added, the Seyi Makinde administration would have broken the employment record of the State by recruiting 1,592 into the Service, half way into its second term.

“It would be recalled that at a leadership retreat held for top government officials on October 4th 2023, shortly after his re-election, Governor Seyi Makinde promised that his second term in office will witness more accelerated growth in all sectors than in his first term with people-friendly policies.

“The Governor at the retreat warned members of his cabinet that the people of Oyo state will neither take excuses nor stories from his administration and therefore gave them a matching order to perform better than his first term achievements”, Oyelade stated.

The Commissioner also assures that before the end of the month, 7,000 Primary School Teachers out of the 46,000 that sat for the Computer Based Test, will receive their employment letters.

He said “The 7,000 new teachers being recruited is obviously more than the 5,000 Secondary School Teachers the Seyi Makinde administration employed in his first term.

“Governor Makinde’s efforts since 2019 has repositioned the Ibadan airport, now Samuel Ladoke Akintola airport, recently upgraded to International status which will make Oyo State the Commercial Hub of the Southwest.

“Also the Fasola industrial estate has become the transformative initiative of Governor Makinde in Agribusiness and currently has 10 Industries on the 1,100 hectares farm that has become the destination for private local and International investors.”