Being the text of the Independence Day 2024 Broadcast by His Excellency Seyi Makinde, FNSE, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, to Mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Celebration on Tuesday, 1 October 2024
Full text of Independence Day 2024 Broadcast
My good people of Oyo State,
Today, we celebrate another milestone in Nigeria’s history as we mark 64 years of nationhood. Our journey has been one of highs and lows. We have walked, crawled, run, stumbled, and risen again. We have experienced moments of pride and moments of reflection. But above all, we have demonstrated unwavering resilience.
Here in Oyo State, you have exemplified that same resilience by supporting our administration over the past five years as we moved from accelerated development to sustainable development with a focus on moving the people of our dear State from poverty to prosperity.
They say the darkest hour comes just before the dawn. As we face these cloudy economic times, we must remember our resilient spirit. Rest assured, the sun will rise.
As your government, we use this Independence Day celebration to reaffirm our commitment to making decisions that will serve the best interests of the good people of Oyo State. This is why I have directed that guarantors for small scale loans to agripreneurs through the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State will no longer be limited to civil servants but will now include Community Development Associations (CDAs), farmers’ associations and artisans’ associations.
We have also extended the subsidy on transportation for another six months under the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER) scheme. The subsidy will now also include subsidy on trucks for produce evacuation. This subsidy will be implemented through the various trader and agriculture unions.
Now is not the time to emphasise what divides us. Rather, we must hold fast to the things that unite us—our shared identity, our culture and our history. We must always remember who our real enemies are, so we do not turn against our friends.
We will, as a government, continue to give strength to democratic institutions because we believe this is one of the best ways to build stronger states and nations.
I also want to take this opportunity to reassure you that the security of our people remains a top priority. During your celebrations, you may notice an increased security presence. Do not be alarmed—they are there to ensure your safety and guarantee a peaceful celebration.
So, as we celebrate Nigeria at 64, let us not dwell on the difficulties of the present. Instead, let us use this period to reflect on what we can do different, so that the future of our nation will be better than the past.
Let us focus on the real hope that lies ahead.
God bless Oyo State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.