• Says Nigerians are hungry, angry, won’t implement presumptive tax now
• Akintola’s family lauds Tinubu, Makinde on project upgrade
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, said that N41 billion had been earmarked for the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, to an international standard.
Makinde gave the hint during the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrade of the airport.
The governor said his administration conceived the vision to upgrade the airport to international standards in 2019.
He, however, promised that the project would be delivered in 12 months, adding that the upgrade would turn Ibadan into a regional business hub in the Southwest zone, improve the ease of doing business, as well as bring in investments in agribusiness, manufacturing and technology sector to the state.
However, Makinde, yesterday, said that he would sign into law the recently passed presumptive tax bill by the state’s House of Assembly, but its implementation would be at a later date, saying that Nigerians are hungry and angry now.
Makinde gave the assurance during the groundbreaking ceremony of the airport’s upgrade.
He said that his government would only fight poverty and not poor people.
The governor, who commended his deputy for acting as governor when he was away on vacation, lauded residents of the state for supporting him.
Makinde, who also called on residents of Edo State to support the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday’s governorship election in the state, Asue Ighodalo, said the candidate would deliver good democracy to residents of the state.
Chairman of the event and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, while commending the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration for holistically expanding the nation’s economy through aviation, believed that the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport was combined efforts and foresight of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in South-West, and Nigeria as a whole, adding that the airport will in no small widen the economy net of Ibadan and South-West.
Meanwhile, the family of the late Premier of Western Region, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, has lauded President Bola Tinubu and Makinde for the historic flag-off for the upgrade of Ladoke Akintola Airport, formerly Ibadan Airport. The family described the upgrade of the airport as a noble gesture.
A statement on behalf of Akintola’s family by the Coordinator, Samuel Ladoke Akintola Memorial Foundation, Yemi Adedokun, and its Secretary, Azeez Sharafadeen, commended Tinubu and Makinde for the historic decision to name the Ibadan Airport after the late Premier of Western Region, Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
According to Adedokun, the gesture was a fitting tribute to the legacy of Ladoke Akintola, a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping the political and economic landscape of Nigeria.
He noted that Akintola’s contributions to the development of Nigeria, particularly the Western Region that Oyo State was part of, remain unparalleled.
He said: “The naming of the Ibadan Airport after Ladoke Akintola was a testament to the commitment of President Tinubu and Governor Makinde towards preserving Nigeria’s rich history and honouring its illustrious sons and daughters.
“This decision will inspire future generations to emulate the exemplary leadership and patriotism displayed by Ladoke Akintola.
“We commend President Tinubu and Governor Makinde for their unwavering dedication to promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and national unity.
“This gesture will foster a sense of pride and ownership among the people of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.”