Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in Osun State, has assured youths in the State of greater opportunities in skills development, entrepreneurship and employment if elected governor on August 15 election.
Oyebamiji gave the assurance at an interactive session, with representatives of student bodies, professional associations, community unions, civil society organisations, artisans, indigenous groups, social clubs, young entrepreneurs, saying youth development would be a priority under his administration.
‘Do not be afraid. As an individual I know your challenges, and I know the solutions to them. Under my leadership, Osun will experience a new era, we will work for you and make you happy,’ he told the youths.
Oyebamiji said his administration would establish skill acquisition hubs across the state, with attention to ICT, software development, renewable energy, agribusiness, vocational training and digital opportunities.
He also promised to institute internship, apprenticeship and job-placement programmes in partnership with the private sector, while establishing a youth-focused enterprise grant to support innovative business ideas and start-ups.
‘We will establish a youth focus enterprise grant to support innovation business ideas and start ups,’ he said.
Oyebamiji also said that his administration would expand opportunities for young people in sports, entertainment and the creative industry for youth engagement and employment.
He added, ‘we will introduce temporary employment programmes in public works, traffic management, sanitation cadres etc this is to improve public infrastructure and provide safer environment for all .’
The APC candidate, who described himself as a father, professional, entrepreneur and farmer, said his commitment to youth development was informed partly by his personal experience.
‘Most time, when I go through my CV I discovered that 90% of what I achieved as at today I achieved it when I was a youth like you and that is why I don’t joke with youth,’ he said.
Earlier, Ayodele David Asalu, Chairman of the Directorate of Youth, Students and Civil Society of the Osun APC Campaign Council, said the interactive session was designed to enable young people from different backgrounds to hear directly from Oyebamiji, interrogate his plans and ask questions about issues affecting their future.
Asalu said young people should not only be mobilised during elections but should also participate in policy formulation and decision-making.
‘For too long in our politics, young people have sometimes been treated merely as an audience to be mobilised during elections. That approach must continue to change. Young people should not only be present when campaigns are being conducted; they should be present where policies are conceived, decisions are taken and the future is being shaped.’ he said.
Also speaking, Kehinde Ayantunji, Chairman of the Planning Committee, stated that the current administration in the State had destroyed sports infrastructure and have little or no achievement on youth development.
According to him, for almost four years, the state deos not have a common football pitch to play ordinary local league while the youth virtuous values have been replaced with brigandage and thuggery which makes the youth population less productive.
Lekan Olatunji, a former Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly, who is also the lead discussant, explained that the PROSPERITY Agenda of the APC governorship candidate was developed with youth inclusion as a major focus, stressing that young people were involved in shaping the manifesto.