Oyo Gov’t will continue to use Data, Science and Logic to address challenges— Makinde

Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated that his administration will continue to rely heavily on data, science and logic to arrive at the best decisions that will positively affect the good people of Oyo State.

Speaking on Tuesday at the 2nd bi-annual meeting of the National Consultative Committee on Statistics (NCCS), which was held at the Kakanfo INN and Conference Centre, Ringroad, Ibadan, to review statistical activities and harmonise methodology for data production in the National Statistical System (NSS), Makinde added that the State Government realised this fact and responded positively by implementing projects and programmes to address challenges in the state.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo, at the NCCS bi-annual meeting themed: “Data Accessibility and Dissemination at Sub-national Level”, however stated that one can not rely on science unless you have data and you can not rely on logic unless you have the data, stressing that Oyo State Government recognizes the fact that good statistical information is very essential to achieving the 2040 State Development Plan (SDP) and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said: “At the inception of this Administration, a Roadmap for Accelerated Development 2019-2023 tagged “OMITUNTUN 1.0” was instituted, which marks government unflinching commitment to positively transform the socio-economic system in the State in a manner that will lead to improved quality of education, increased access to healthcare services, reduction in poverty level, improved security, enhanced revenue generation and provision of basic infrastructure that will place the State in a better pedestal among other States of the Federation.

“Permit me to recall that the performance of this administration is borne out of the genuine intention and commitment to the development and growth of the State, particularly in the area of education, health, security and economy sectors.  In this connection, the State Government has executed projects and programmes resulting into the following outcomes among others based on the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Reports of 2016/17 and 2021 released by the National Bureau of Statistics:

Reduced percentage of out of school children of primary school age from 23.9% in 2016/17 to 13.9% in 2021 for males and the same for females from 27.1% in 2016/17 to 18.8% in 2021.

Reduced under five mortality from 67 per 1000 in 2016/17 to 57 per 1000 in 2021.

Reduced Infant Neonatal Mortality Rate from 59 per 1000 in 2016/17 to 40 per 1000 in 2021.

Increased percentage of women with a live birth in the last two years who were attended to by skilled health personnel from 79.8% in 2016/17 to 82.6% in 2021.

89.8% of men and 83.1% of women age 15-49 years feel save walking alone in their neighborhood after dark in 2021.

“It is pertinent to inform this gathering that this is made possible as a result of investment made in the recruitment of health personnel, renovation of primary healthcare centres to create access to healthcare facilities by over 200 communities within the radius of their homes.  Similarly, out of school children was reduce4d as a result of recruitment of 5,000 teachers and reconstruction of 60 model schools with over 700 classrooms and procurement of over 26,000 desks and chairs for students.

“The Light Up Oyo Project and establishment of Oyo Amotekun has greatly improved the security on lives and properties of Oyo State citizenry. Finally, the construction of road projects that saw the interconnection of four (4) zones in Oyo State with the establishment of Farm Estates has further boost the economy of the State.”

Makinde, who stressed that the present Administration has consistently paid salaries of the Civil Servants and the Pensioners on or before 25th of every month since May, 2019 till date, added that Oyo is the first State of the Federation to approve and pay wage awards of the sum of Twenty-five thousand naira (N25,000.00) to civil servants and Fifteen thousand naira (N15,000.00) to pensioners from October, 2023.

“However, as we are aware of our responsibilities to the people of the State, we will continue to build on the economy of the State around Infrastructure Development and Agribusiness under Oyo State Roadmap to Sustainable Development 2023-2027 tagged “Omituntun 2.0” to accommodate two more sectors: Tourism and Solid Mineral exploitation, facilitated by the rule of Law.  This we will pursue in the next four year till Oyo State becomes a place we all wish to live in.

“Let me commend the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), particularly, our son, the Statistician-General of the Federation to host the bi-annual meeting in Ibadan, the Capital of Pace-Setter State and for ensuring that timely data is released for evidence-based planning in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, I wish to enjoin the NBS to collaborate effectively with the State Statistical Agency (SSA), especially Oyo State Bureau of Statistics at ensuring that reliable and comprehensive data is available at sub-national level for evidence-based planning and decision making.

“On this note, I hereby declare open the 2nd bi-annual meeting of the National Consultative Committee on Statistics (NCCS) to the glory of God and for the benefit of Nigerians. I thank you all for your attention and wishing you a fruitful deliberations”, he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Statistician General of the Federation/CEO National Bureau of statistics, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran said that the gathering is to take stock of their activities since its last meeting, as well as to celebrate the remarkable strides they have made in the realm of statistics over the period.

According to him, most notably in this regard is the recent passage of the Statistics Act and subsequent establishment of State Bureaus Statistics in Ebonyi and Taraba states. This is noteworthy and giant step in the right direction that will lead to the progress of the system, particularly as we continue our collective work on drafting a new National Strategy for the Development of Statistics.

He noted that the NCCS meeting, which is holding for the first time in Oyo state, is to delve into the operation of making data more accessible at the sub-national level of our country.

Adeniran equally stressed on the need to embrace the spirit of collaboration as the country navigate through the challenges inherent in ensuring data accessibility at the sub-national level.

He expressed gratitude to Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, for enabling the NCCS conference to take place there without any reservations and praised his excellent leadership and economic recovery, especially in promoting the state’s economy to enhance the wellbeing of Oyo residents.

“Together, we can develop strategies, methodologies, and technologies that empower us to capture, analyze, and disseminate information effectively across our great nation”, he added.