By Peter Omopo
Ibadan | June 28, 2025 — Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday called for a national rebirth and greater inclusion of Nigerian youths in leadership roles, stressing the urgent need for citizens to actively engage in politics and governance to break the cycle of national crises.
Makinde made the call in Ibadan while celebrating the 70th birthday and 50 years of ministry of Reverend Moses Aransiola and his wife, Pastor Funmilayo Aransiola.
The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, praised the Aransiolas for their impactful spiritual work and prayed for continued growth and divine blessings in their ministry.
Prominent Nigerians joined in paying tribute to the couple, including former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (retd), the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji; former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; constitutional lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN); Pastor Adeleke Sanusi; and senior religious and traditional leaders.
Makinde used the occasion to urge a mindset shift among Nigerians, particularly the youth, noting that sustained national transformation requires collective effort and sacrifice.
“We must move beyond our comfort zones and begin to take deliberate steps toward nation-building,” he said. “I congratulate Rev. and Pastor Aransiola on their milestone. Their ministry has continued to set the feet of many on the right path, and I pray for even greater impact ahead.”
The governor decried Nigeria’s repeated transitions from one crisis to another, warning that without the sincere and consistent involvement of the citizenry in governance, the cycle would persist.
The event also served as a platform for reflection on Nigeria’s moral and leadership values, with various speakers echoing the need for revival, ethical reawakening, and a renewed sense of patriotism.
