Makinde made this known in Ibadan on Monday during a post-protest meeting held with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state.

The governor urged those who had suffered any form of injustice in the past or as a result of the #EndSARS protests, to take advantage of the platforms provided to log in their cases.

He noted that a Judicial Panel of Enquiry would be inaugurated in the next one week to look into cases of injustice meted out to the people.

“We know that the protests have been a result of anger among youths.

“We are aware of the economic situation, especially the reduced income of many due to the COVID-19 pandemic and also unemployment situation in the country,” he noted.

Makinde said that he had directed that a N500 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Fund be set up.

He said that the fund would be disbursed to youths who had bright entrepreneurial ideas that would provide further employment and improve the economic landscape of Oyo State.

The governor said: “I have directed the employment of 5,000 young persons across all government agency schemes over the next few months.

“The criteria for employment and the dates for assessment will be announced by the agency authorities.

“Going forward, starting from 2021, there will be provisions for the Direct Labour Agency in the budget.

“This will ensure more employment opportunities for residents who have requisite skills when projects are awarded.

“We will be proceeding with the fifth phase distribution of palliatives by the end of this week, having completed the verification of the individuals that are qualified for them.”

The governor gave the people of the state an assurance that his administration would continue to prioritise actions that would have positive impact on the youth.

Speaking on the purpose of the stakeholders’ meeting, Makinde said the meeting was not called to apportion blame or do a post-protest analysis but to chart a way forward by rubbing minds together.

He thanked the people of the state for their cooperation during the #EndSARS protests.

“Even when thugs and hoodlums decided to cause mayhem in some parts of our dear state, some of you stood up and repelled them.

“We had so many people called the 615 Emergency Contact Number because they were not interested in the destruction of lives and property.

“Because of your actions, our losses, both human and material, were minimal,” he said.

He gave an assurance that all criminal elements that engaged in wanton destruction of lives and property would be dealt with.

Makinde urged members of the Nigeria Police working in the state to step up their responsibilities in protecting lives and property.

He noted that trust was low right now but you could quickly regain public trust through your professional conduct.

Our correspondent reports that the DIG South-West Zone, Oyeleye Oyebade and Brig.-Gen. Soji Ogunsugba, Garrison Commander, 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army attended the stakeholders’ meeting.

Others that attended the meeting were the Caretaker Chairmen in the 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Ajagungbade; and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Oyetunji attended the meeting.

All the stakeholders condemned the violence, destruction of lives and property that characterised the #EndSARS protests.

They, however, called on government and other authorities to rise up and do the needful for the development of youths.

The post #EndSARS protests: Makinde inaugurates N500m compensation fund appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

This is contained in a statement, signed by his spokesperson, Ayotomiwa Adebayo, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan.

Our correspondent reports that the governor’s mother died on Thursday at the age of 80.

The OID said it sympathised with the state government and the entire people of Oyo State on the demise of the matriarch of the Makinde family, describing her death as a great loss.

“We receive the news of the death of our exceptional and beloved mother with a heavy heart.

“With total submission to the will of God, Mama lived a fulfilled and exemplary life. She was a great asset to the Pacesetter state by nurturing a son who is currently demonstrating what good governance entails.

“We are grateful for this rare gift and are confident that Mama will forever remain in our hearts as the conveyor of people-oriented governor, who has immensely transformed Oyo State to an enviable status,” it said.

The post Group commiserates with Gov. Makinde over mother’s demise appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Our correspondent reports that Mrs Makinde died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 81 years.

A statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan, by Chief Muyiwa Makinde, said that the deceased, who gave no indication of any sickness, died at her Ibadan home, No. 7B, Oyeleke Street, Ikolaba, Ibadan.

“While we appreciate the Almighty God for sparing her life thus far, we must confess that we will sorely miss her counsel, motherly role and impact on the lives of her children and the grandchildren.

“We will equally miss her impactful role as a stabilising force in the family, her community and especially Oyo state, which is currently being governed by her son and our brother, Engineer Seyi Makinde.

“We sincerely appreciate the prayers and condolences of our numerous well-wishers.

May Mama’s soul rest peacefully with her maker” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the Oyo State House of Assembly, has commiserated with Gov. Makinde over the death of his mother.

In a statement issued on Thursday by a member of the caucus, Mr Akintunde Olajide the PDP lawmakers described the demise as a great and irreparable loss to the entire state.

The caucus expressed condolences to the Makinde family, the state executive council and the entire people of the state.

“Political leaders and all those who have had encounter with the deceased would forever miss her great words of wisdom and motivation,’’ the statement said.

The post Gov. Makinde loses mum, aged 81 appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Mankinde announced the approval on Tuesday evening, when a delegation of the students visited him on Tuesday in Ibadan.

It was reported that the governor approved the sum of N500,000 as bursary for each of the 120 students.

The bursary is to cater for the 2019/2020 session of the state indigenes in the Nigerian Law School.

Makinde said that his decision was aimed at encouraging the students and assisting them to achieve greatness in their academic pursuit.

He urged them to ensure that they come back home to contribute their quota towards the development of the state after their studies.

According to the governor, Oyo state by the gesture of the bursary made an investment on the Law School students and would love them to also pay back to the state.

He advised the students not to be carried away by the allure of Lagos and other cities after their studies.

He further charged them to be persevere in the face of challenges and never lose hope no matter the challenges that may come their way, noting ”life is not just for those who work hard but for those who persevere as well.”

In his response, Mr Olaniyi Ogunlade, leader of the student’s delegation, thanked the governor for the gesture and promised that they would make the best results in the history of Oyo state students in the Law School.

He assured the governor and the people of the state that the beneficiaries of the bursary award would return to make their contributions to the development of the state.

The post Makinde approves N60m bursary for Law students appeared first on NEWSVERGE.