Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has stated that Nigeria can only experience development if true federalism exist in the country.
Governor Makinde spoke on Thursday while receiving members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), who paid him a courtesy call at the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
The visitors were led by the Chairman, Professor Paul Ananaba; and other members who were in the state to solicit the support of the state government for the forthcoming conference scheduled to hold in the state between May 24 and 26.
Appreciating the visitors and the choice of the state, Governor Makinde also used the opportunity of the visit to explain the reason behind his decisions to complete all abandoned projects embarked upon by his predecessors in office.
He said, “I am glad that you are bringing the conference here because that is what we want to see. We want people to come around and experience what we are trying to do here. And we will support you.
“The section of public interest is something that is very interesting to us because I always tell people that this government was put in place by the people themselves.
“We did not come in through any godfather. We did not come in because we had federal might. We did not even have local might when we were about to get elected.
“So, we can only run a government that is sensitive to the yearnings of our people. And if we are hosting a conference of Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development, we think this is an appropriate place for that to happen.
“Like you rightly noted, the learned colleagues are more in this cabinet and they are one of the best hands that we can have around and I can say that in terms of contributions at our meetings. They have not disappointed us so far.
“So, what that tells us is that the legal profession is very old in this country and you have contributed so much to the development of the country. So, please keep striving to do more.
“One of the things that I believe we have to deal with right now as a country is how we can get the best for our country. What kind of arrangement can give us the best? I have been accused of completing projects initiated by the previous administration and we are not ashamed to do that.
“So, those are some of the challenges that I know when legal minds come together, they can assist the country on. You can weigh in and let your voices be heard.
“Some of the requests you have made will be looked at. Security is one of the major pillars of this administration and we will provide a safe and secure environment for you and Oyo State government will support you,” he added.
Speaking earlier, NBA SPIDEL Chairman, Professor Ananaba, said about 2,000 members of the association would be in the state for the conference to brainstorm on issues that border on public interest and development.
