Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has stressed the need to give the nation’s youths more opportunities to participate in leadership and governance of the country.
The governor, who spoke at the 70th birthday and 50 years of the ministry of Reverend Moses Aransiola and his wife, Pastor Funmilayo Aransiola, passionately called for national rebirth.
He urged Nigerians to move out of their comfort zones and work actively toward nation-building.
Makinde, who lamented the trend of perpetual transition from one crisis to another, noted that without sincere engagement from the citizenry in politics and governance, the cycle of anomie and hopelessness would continue.
Makinde commended the Aransiola’s for their impactful ministry and prayed for their continued success.
He said: “It is good to be here to celebrate, I congratulate him and his wife. God will continue to enlarge their ministry and they will continue to make an impact and set the feet of the people on the right path.”
Also speaking, former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko called for urgent restructuring of Nigeria, warning that the current political structure was a stumbling block to national progress.
Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in his keynote address titled: “Nigeria: From where comes our help?” decried rampant insecurity, corruption and governance failures in the country.
He commended Makinde’s leadership, particularly his security interventions such as the establishment of the Amotekun Corps, which had contributed significantly to protecting lives and property in Oyo State.
Highlights of the event was the launching of four books authored by the celebrator and cutting of birthday cakes with the celebrant and his wife.
The Soun of Ogbomoso thanked everyone for celebrating Dr Aransiola and his wife, saying they deserve the honor owing to the milestone in the Ministry work.
Other prominent figures that attended the celebration included former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye; Ekiti State governor, Abiodun Oyebanji; traditional rulers, religious leaders, Pastor Adeleke Sanusi, Senior Continental Overseer for Europe and Chairman, RCCG Board in the United Kingdom, among others.
