Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has written to the State House of Assembly to inform it of his intention to embark on his annual leave.
The governor’s letter was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, during Thursday’s valedictory plenary held in honour of Mrs Yetunde Awe, the House Clerk.
The governor also indicated in his message his desire to transfer executive powers to his Deputy, Mr Bayo Lawal.
Lawal is to serve in an acting capacity in Makinde’s absence, and Makinde’s leave will begin on Aug. 5 and end on Sept. 6.
“Based on Section 190 sub-section 1, I hereby transmit that during the period indicated above, Deputy Governor Lawal shall be the acting Governor.
“I shall be back from the vacation on Sept. 7,” Makinde said in the letter.
Similarly, the House also swore in Mrs. Taiwo Muraina-Akinola, who was formerly the Deputy Clerk, as the Substantive Clerk of the House to replace Awe who is retiring from the state civil service. Her swearing-in followed her recommendation by the House of Assembly Commission.
In another development, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to Nigerians, especially the youths, to shun the planned nationwide protest.
Oyintiloye urged Nigerians to continue to keep faith in President Bola Tinubu-led administration in its ability to revamp the economy.
The APC chieftain, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), appealed while speaking with newsmen on Thursday in Osogbo.
He urged Nigerians to see a promising future in the government’s framework capable of pulling the country out of the current economic quagmire inherited from the past administrations.
He said that Nigerians’ expectation to get dividends of democracy was high owing to their trust in the president’s pedigree as an astute manager of men and resources.
Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said that the government was working tirelessly to meet the expectations and yearning of Nigerians.
He said that the intention of the president by removing the fuel subsidy and merging the foreign exchange rates, among other policies was to improve the economy and not to inflict pain on Nigerians.
The APC chieftain said that Nigerians should give more time for the president to fully develop the economy, which is going through the recovery process.
“With all sense of humility and modesty, we must appreciate the people of this country for their endurance, perseverance and unflinching support as we are passing through the dark tunnel.
“But one certain thing is that after these temporary pains, we shall all live in abundance.
“Although the task is herculean, but we are gradually navigating through the storm and challenges the country is passing through.
“In the real sense of it, this present government is working tirelessly on how to stabilise the economy, foreign exchange rates, inflation, and price control.
“With the initiatives and programme designed for good governance by the president, we are getting to the coast of self-sufficiency and economic stability.
“Our people should believe in the leadership of the president and the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, in due course, we shall laugh last.
“I strongly believe that with a little patience from Nigerians, we shall soon live in abundance. Let’s exercise a little patience, he said.
Oyintiloye, who noted that the president felt the pains Nigerians were passing through, said that was why he pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with him.