Former lawmaker and Ayedero of Yorubaland, Hon. Shina Peller, has commended Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for what he described as transformative leadership, describing him as the “Golden Governor” as the state marks its 50th anniversary.
In a statement issued on Friday, Peller reflected on Oyo State’s journey since its creation from the old Western State in February 1976, noting that the Golden Jubilee represents decades of resilience, unity and collective progress.
He praised Oyo State, often referred to as the “Pacesetter State,” for its enduring legacy in politics, education, commerce and cultural development, adding that the milestone belongs to all zones of the state, including Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ogbomoso and Ibarapa.
According to Peller, the 50th anniversary symbolises the shared achievements of the people across the state’s diverse regions, describing it as a celebration of a common destiny forged through years of challenges and triumphs.
Peller stated that Governor Makinde’s tenure coinciding with the Golden Jubilee was symbolic, describing him as a leader “chosen by destiny” to usher Oyo State into its next phase of development.
He attributed the “Golden Governor” title to what he described as unprecedented achievements under the Omituntun administration, particularly in infrastructure development, civil service welfare, youth inclusion and institutional reforms.
Highlighting infrastructure projects, Peller cited the ongoing upgrade of the Ibadan Airport to international status and the construction of the Circular Road, which he said would significantly boost economic activities across the state.
He also applauded the Makinde administration for the prompt payment of civil servants’ salaries and the introduction of a 13th-month bonus, which he described as a historic step toward improving workers’ welfare.
The Oke-Ogun-born businessman and politician further praised the governor’s commitment to youth participation in governance, noting that young people have been given opportunities to occupy strategic positions and contribute meaningfully to policy-making through the Omituntun initiative.
Peller also commended Makinde’s institutional reforms, stating that the establishment of strong, transparent institutions has helped move the state away from what he described as the old culture of unfulfilled promises to a system anchored on accountability and delivery.
Peller, who is currently outside the country in preparation for the third edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF), issued the statement from Egypt. He noted that the maiden and second editions of the festival were held in Nigeria and Ghana respectively, while the third edition is scheduled to take place in Egypt in November 2026.
