The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, assured families of abducted teachers and schoolchildren in the state that his administration was making serious efforts to secure their release.
The governor gave the assurance while receiving the state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, and other Muslim faithful at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, during the Eid-el-Kabir
celebration.Makinde said the state government was working around the clock to ensure that the abducted pupils and teachers were rescued and reunited with their families.
He said, “The challenges that we have, especially in Oyo, with our school children being kidnapped, we are working around the clock to ensure that the children are reunited with their families.
“So, I also use this opportunity to say to those that are in despair right now, that God Almighty will meet them at their point of need.”
Makinde expressed sympathy with the families affected by the incident and prayed for divine intervention for those going through difficult moments.
Scores of teachers and pupils were abducted penultimate Friday during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The attacks were said to have occurred around 9:30 a.m., throwing the affected communities into fear and anxiety.
Since the incident, families of the victims and residents of the area have continued to appeal to the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abductees and restore calm to the communities.
The governor also used the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to call for unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, especially as the country gradually moves towards another political season.
Makinde said political differences should not be allowed to divide the people, stressing that Oyo State remained a liberal and tolerant state where religion and ethnicity could not easily be used as tools of division.
He stated, “Well, let me use this opportunity to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters, and indeed everyone in Oyo and Nigeria, happy Eid celebration and I wish all of us many, many more of it in the land of the living.
“This is because we are moving towards a political season and for us in Oyo we are very liberal and tolerant people. So, it’s difficult to use ethnicity or religion to divide us.”
Makinde noted that political offices were temporary, adding that the collective interest of Oyo State and Nigeria must remain above partisan considerations.
He urged residents to continue to place the peace and progress of the state above political sentiments, even when there were disagreements.
The governor said, “Even as we move towards this political season, government will come and go but our state and our country remain. Even when we disagree with ourselves, it’s a temporary thing.
“In another seven or eight months, the president-elect would have emerged, and the governors-elect would have emerged. And whoever emerges, we will have to work together in the interest of our state and our country with such individuals and a set of people.”
Earlier, Lawal led a delegation of Muslim faithful to the governor’s private residence to pay the traditional Eid-el-Kabir homage and celebrate with him.
The deputy governor said the visit was in line with the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir, which promotes peace, unity, sacrifice and togetherness among the people.
He commended Makinde for sustaining religious harmony and inclusive governance in Oyo State, saying the administration had continued to treat residents fairly, irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.
According to him, the governor’s approach to governance has helped strengthen peaceful coexistence across the state.
Meanwhile, Muslim faithful gathered in large numbers at the Agodi Eid praying ground in Ibadan to observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers.
The prayer session, which began around 9 a.m., was led by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, AbdulGaniyy Agbotomokekere.
The cleric offered prayers for Allah’s mercy on Nigeria, stability in governance, protection for citizens and improved security across Oyo State and the country.
The congregation also prayed for the safe return of those abducted in Ahoro Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, while urging security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify rescue operations.
