Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has called on wealthy Nigerians and corporate bodies to always support the government through provision of social amenities to their immediate communities.
The governor gave the charge on Tuesday, while commissioning a Computer-Based Test Centre donated by the chairman of BOVAS Nig Ltd, Architect Bamidele Samson, to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Governor Makinde, who appreciated Architect Samson and his wife, for giving back to the society despite not being indigenes of Oyo State, admonished wealthy individuals in the society to emulate the Samsons’ commitment to corporate social responsibility by facilitating projects that will impact on learning and other critical sectors.
He said: “Let me thank Baba, Architect Bamidele Samson and Mama, because this would not have come into being without the alignment of both of you.
“This is also to call on the wealthy ones among us. Yes, we all want to make money and become comfortable, but we must realise that we did not come into the world with anything and will not leave with anything…. This project is an example that I want our people to emulate.
“The Samsons are working hard and we can see that all over the place. But they have been able to provide this out of their sweat. So, I want to encourage the wealthy ones among us to always utilise whatever they have to help others.
“This is a project that will impact learning within our environment. It is real progress for us, as CBTs are not only in a particular location and with all the facilities, it is a job well-done.”
The governor assured the donor of his continuous support, saying: “I am always happy to be associated with Baba and Mama BOVAS because I have seen the hard work. I have also seen that even though you are not from Oyo State, you are based here. And everything you are doing, you have always considered your base. So, we will continue to give support to BOVAS.
“Baba, I want to wish you many more years and many more commissioning of projects to the benefit of mankind. And we will continue to pray for you.”
The governor equally used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s determination to regulate the activities of commercial motorcycle riders in the state in a sustainable way and in the overall interest of the residents of the state.
“I was talking to a few leaders and we argued back and forth about the recalcitrant attitude of the commercial okada riders in the state. They asked me to get rid of them, adding that my policy on regulating okada is not effective. But I told them that there is a path we want to take, though it may be a tortuous path, if we can succeed, it is something that will be sustainable.”
In his address earlier, the donor of the Computer-Based Test Centre, Architect Samson, noted that the nation’s institutions, lower or higher, “cannot provide for all the needs without the assistance of well-meaning Nigerians.”
He stressed that it is the duty and responsibility of all citizens to contribute their quota meaningfully to help the government, institutions and communities at large, charging Nigerians to always pray with conscious focus for the success of their leaders.
In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, said “the centre symbolises dedication to fostering a technologically-empowered generation of learners and a testimony to commitment of excellence and progress in education and training.”