TheCable

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, says he did not expect to live up to the age of 30 because he thought he would join the army and get killed.

Makinde said this at the thanksgiving service held in commemoration of his 52nd birthday held at the St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan.

The governor said every year he has spent alive since he clocked 30 is a bonus.

“There is nothing really much to say; today is my birthday and I am getting mature. Quite frankly, I never thought I would live up to 30. I have a friend here and every time we were talking, we always thought that we would go into the Army, fight, get killed and that would be the end of our story,” Makinde said.

“I thought I would join the Army, fight for my country and possibly get killed. So for me, every year I have lived above 30 years is like a bonus.

“We actually went for recruitment into the Army but were rejected. But today, we are seeing Seyi Makinde at 52 and all I can do is to give thanks to God.”

He added that his story motivates him to render services to the ordinary people of the state and informed his decision to declare free and qualitative education.

Makinde, who said education remains the surest way to lift people out of poverty, added that he would not mind breaking some toes to serve the people of the state.

He thanked the people for their support and cooperation since he assumed office.

“If I can be who I am today, then no child should be left behind in Oyo State. And that explains my passion for education. Once we give education to our children, the sky is their starting point,” he said.

“When we were going through the electioneering period, people said the political terrain here is rough, and I could get killed. So, I looked at myself and said that I could take the risk since I am more than 30 because I had always believed that anything I have after 30 would be like a bonus to me.

“That is why without looking back, I will continue to serve the people of Oyo State, without minding whose toe I will step on. Truth is, I will break some toes if I really have to and will continue to fight for the ordinary people of this state.

“For the people of Oyo State, I want to thank you because we would not have achieved anything without you. People have been commending us that there have been changes within six months we came into government.

“I want the people to know that it is not only Seyi Makinde that is doing these but all of us. And you know that decisions are always taken by consensus. We discuss, thrash out issues and superior arguments always win. So, in 2020, I look forward to a more robust argument, discussions, and alignments.”