As Oyo State marks its 50th anniversary, the Ayedero of Yorubaland and former lawmaker, Shina Peller, has described Governor Seyi Makinde as the state’s “Golden Governor,” citing what he called transformative leadership at a historic moment in the state’s journey.

In a statement released on Friday, Peller reflected on Oyo State’s evolution since its creation from the old Western State in February 1976, praising the “Pacesetter State” for its enduring legacy in politics, education, commerce, and culture.

He said the Golden Jubilee represents the collective progress and shared destiny of people across all zones of the state, from the iconic brown roofs of Ibadan to the resource-rich Oke-Ogun, the historic plains of Oyo, and the vibrant communities of Ogbomoso and Ibarapa.

“This Golden Jubilee celebrates our resilience, unity, and progress,” Peller said. “Fifty years of challenges and triumphs, bound together by a common destiny and an enduring spirit of enterprise.”

Peller noted that Governor Makinde’s tenure coincides with the Golden Jubilee, describing him as a leader “chosen by destiny” to guide Oyo State into its next half-century.

According to him, Makinde’s administration, under the Omituntun agenda, has delivered unprecedented development since 2019, particularly in infrastructure, civil service welfare, youth inclusion, and institutional reform.

On infrastructure, Peller highlighted the ongoing upgrade of the Ibadan Airport to international status and the construction of the Circular Road, both aimed at driving economic expansion and improving connectivity across the state.

He also commended the governor for consistent and timely payment of civil servants’ salaries, as well as the introduction of the 13th-month salary, describing it as a historic boost to workers’ welfare.

The Oke-Ogun-born businessman and politician further praised Makinde for deliberately integrating young people into governance, saying the administration has provided tangible opportunities for youths to participate in high-level decision-making and leadership development.

According to Peller, the creation of strong institutions and governance frameworks has helped entrench transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the public sector.

He added that the Omituntun initiative has successfully replaced what he described as a past culture of “promise and fail” with a system anchored on trust, performance, and measurable delivery.

Peller, who is currently outside the country, issued the statement from Egypt, where he is preparing for the third edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF), scheduled to hold in Egypt in November 2026. The maiden and second editions of the festival were previously hosted in Nigeria and Ghana.

As Oyo State celebrates five decades of existence, Peller said the milestone offers an opportunity not only for reflection, but also for renewed commitment to sustaining progress and unity as the state looks ahead to its next fifty years.

Oyo State, Shina Peller, Seyi Makinde, Oyo at 50, Omituntun, Ibadan, Nigerian politics