In a heartfelt assurance delivered during Eid-el-Kabir festivities, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has promised residents that the kidnapped schoolchildren from Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area will soon be reunited with their families. Speaking on Wednesday at his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan, where he welcomed Deputy Governor Chief Bayo Lawal, Muslim faithful, and political allies, Makinde emphasized his administration’s relentless efforts alongside security agencies to secure the children’s safe release.
“We are working around the clock to bring these children back to their loved ones,” the governor stated, urging those gripped by fear and uncertainty to hold onto hope. He expressed confidence that divine intervention would ease their pain, as the state grapples with this troubling incident.
Makinde used the occasion to rally Nigerians toward unity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence, especially as the country edges closer to another political season. He cautioned against using religion or ethnicity as tools of division, stressing that the collective good of the state and nation must always come first. “Government will come and go, but our state and country remain,” he said, reminding citizens that even political disagreements are temporary. “In seven or eight months, new leaders will emerge, and we must work together for the progress of Oyo and Nigeria.”
The governor also celebrated the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir, wishing all Muslim brothers and sisters many more joyful celebrations ahead. He highlighted Oyo’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most tolerant states, where ethnic and religious lines rarely stir conflict. “We are a liberal people,” Makinde noted. “It’s hard to use such differences to divide us.”
Earlier, Deputy Governor Lawal described the visit as a reflection of Eid’s core values—sacrifice, unity, and communal harmony. He praised Makinde for fostering religious peace and inclusive governance, ensuring fairness for all residents regardless of faith or background.
Meanwhile, thousands of worshippers gathered at the Agodi Eid Prayer Ground for prayers led by Ibadanland’s Chief Imam, AbdulGaniyy Agbotomokekere. Starting around 9 a.m., the session featured special prayers for governance stability, economic recovery, and improved security nationwide. The congregation fervently prayed for the safe return of the Esiele abductees, urging security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and restore calm to the community.
The event drew notable figures, including Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, Honourable Stanley Olajide, and Oriyomi Hamzat, alongside traditional rulers, Islamic clerics, and other dignitaries. The atmosphere blended solemn devotion with communal solidarity, as worshippers renewed their commitment to peace, unity, and ongoing prayers for the safety and progress of Oyo State and Nigeria.
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