Oyo Partners Akinyele Family on 10-Day Road Cleanup to Mark State’s 50th Anniversary

Oyo Partners Akinyele Family on 10-Day Road Cleanup to Mark State’s 50th Anniversary

The Oyo State Government has partnered with the family of late Theophilus Adeleke Akinyele to commence a 10-day roadside clean-up and sensitization exercise along the 12.5-kilometre roadway in Ibadan named in his honour.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, who flagged off the exercise, said the initiative marks the 94th posthumous birthday of the late administrator and aligns with activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the creation of Oyo State.

Aderinto noted that Akinyele served as Secretary to the Military Government and Head of Service of Oyo State between 1976 and 1979, playing a pivotal role in laying the administrative foundation of the state in its formative years.

Describing the collaboration as a model public-private partnership, the Commissioner stressed that environmental sustainability requires collective responsibility.

“We believe governance should not be by government alone. Citizens must work hand in hand with the government. This clean-up is a call to all residents to adopt proper waste management practices and safeguard our shared environment,” he said, commending the Akinyele family for demonstrating civic leadership.

The clean-up operation includes desilting road surfaces, clearing drainages and medians, evacuating accumulated waste, deploying mechanical equipment alongside manual labour, and washing the road corridor after clearance to ensure lasting sanitation.

According to the Commissioner, the Akinyele family provided both locally and internationally sourced equipment as well as dedicated manpower to support the project.

The initiative is aimed at restoring and sanitising the designated road corridor and adjoining drainage systems, promoting compliance with proper waste disposal practices, encouraging residents to patronise government-accredited waste collectors, and strengthening enforcement against illegal dumping, open waste burning, and unauthorised construction on roadways and waterways.

Aderinto also disclosed that enforcement actions were taken during the flag-off against illegal constructions set back along highways and waterways, adding that further measures would be intensified to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

He highlighted additional government initiatives, including the state’s whistleblower strategy and the Oyo SSS digital platform, which allows residents to report environmental infractions by submitting photographic or video evidence for investigation and possible prosecution.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Akikunmi Akinyele described the exercise as a living tribute to their father’s legacy of discipline, order and excellence in public service.

The state government urged residents to support the clean-up campaign by maintaining proper sanitation practices, engaging accredited waste collectors, and reporting environmental violations to authorities to ensure a cleaner and healthier Oyo State.

The statement was signed by Prince Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information, Oyo State, on March 1, 2026.