Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, placated the fears of abducted teachers and students’ family members, assuring that his administration was making serious efforts to secure their release.
Makinde made this pledge while hosting the state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, and other Muslims at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, the state capital, for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Makinde said, “The challenges that we have, especially in Oyo with our schoolchildren being kidnapped, we are working round the clock to ensure that the children are reunited with their families.
“So, I also use this opportunity to say to those that are in despair right now that God Almighty will meet them at their point of need.”
He offered his sympathies to the families affected by the catastrophe and prayed for divine assistance for those going through difficult times.
Chronicle NG reports that dozens of teachers and students were abducted during coordinated raids on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, on the penultimate Friday about 9:30 a.m.
As the country approaches another political season, the governor has appealed for unity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, emphasizing that political differences should not split the people.
He stated that Oyo remained a liberal and tolerant state in which religion and ethnicity could not be easily utilized as agents of division, asking inhabitants to prioritize the interests of the state and country before political prejudices.
He stated, “Well, let me use this opportunity to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters, and indeed everyone in Oyo and Nigeria, a happy Eid celebration, and I wish all of us many, many more of it in the land of the living.
“This is because we are moving towards a political season, and for us in Oyo, we are very liberal and tolerant people. So, it’s difficult to use ethnicity or religion to divide us.”
The governor emphasized that political offices were temporary, while the collective interest of the state and the nation must remain paramount.
He said, “Even as we move towards this political season, government will come and go, but our state and our country remain. Even when we disagree with ourselves, it’s a temporary thing.
“In another seven or eight months, the president-elect would have emerged, and the governors-elect would have emerged. And whoever emerges, we will have to work together in the interest of our state and our country with such individuals and sets of people.”
Earlier, Lawal, the state Deputy Governor, led a delegation of Muslim faithful to the governor’s private residence to pay traditional Eid-el-Kabir homage and celebrate with him, stating that the visit was in keeping with the spirit of the Eid celebration, which promotes peace, unity, sacrifice, and togetherness among the people.
He also applauded the governor for maintaining religious harmony and inclusive governance in Oyo State, stating that the administration had maintained to treat all inhabitants similarly, regardless of religious or ethnic background.
Meanwhile, Muslim faithful gathered in great numbers at the Agodi Eid praying area to participate in Eid al-Kabir prayers for peace, unity, and enhanced security in Oyo State and Nigeria.
The special prayer session, which began about 9 a.m., was led by Ibadanland’s Chief Imam, AbdulGaniyy Agbotomokekere, who prayed for Allah’s mercy on the nation, stability in governance, and safety for residents amid current security worries.
The congregation also prayed passionately for the safe return of those abducted in Ahoro Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of the state, encouraging security agencies and appropriate authorities to step up rescue efforts and restore calm to affected areas.
