Seyi Makinde on Wednesday assured families of abducted teachers and students in Oyo State that his administration was making concerted efforts to secure their release.
Makinde gave the assurance while receiving Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal and other Muslim faithful at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
“The challenges that we have, especially in Oyo with our school children being kidnapped, we are working round the clock to ensure that the children are reunited with their families,” the governor said.
“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 families affected by the abductions and prayed for divine intervention for those facing difficult circumstances.
Scores of teachers and students were abducted 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 on penultimate Friday at about 9:30 a.m.
The governor also called for unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians as the country approaches another political season, saying political differences should not divide the people.
He said Oyo remained a liberal and tolerant state where religion and ethnicity could not easily be used as tools of division, urging residents to place the interest of the state and the nation above political sentiments.
“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,” Makinde said.
He added that political offices were temporary, while the collective interest of the state and the country must remain paramount.
“Government will come and go but our state and our country remain. Even when we disagree with ourselves, it’s a temporary thing,” he said.
“In another seven or eight months, president-elect would have emerged, governors-elect would have emerged. And whoever emerges, we will have to work together in the interest of our state and our country.”
Earlier, Lawal, who led a delegation of Muslim faithful to the governor’s residence for the traditional Eid-el-Kabir homage, said the visit reflected the spirit of the celebration, which promotes peace, unity, sacrifice and togetherness.
He also commended Makinde for sustaining religious harmony and inclusive governance in the state.
Meanwhile, Muslim faithful gathered in large numbers at the Agodi Eid praying ground in Ibadan for Eid-el-Kabir prayers and offered supplications for peace, unity and improved security across the state and the country.
The prayer session, which began at about 9 a.m., was led by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, AbdulGaniyy Agbotomokekere, who prayed for stability in governance and protection for citizens amid ongoing security concerns.
The congregation also prayed for the safe return of victims abducted in Ahoro Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area, urging security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and restore calm to affected communities.
