Youth Employment, My Cardinal Focus If Elected -Ibiyemi

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

A gubernatorial aspirant in the September 22, 2018 governorship election in Osun State, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi has promised to create over 600, 000 jobs within the four years in  office if elected.

Dr Samuel Ibiyemi

He said youth employment would be the focal point of his administration as a sustainable panacea to many of the socio-economic challenges in Osun State.

Ibiyemi, who is the publisher of Nigeria News Direct Newspaper, and a member of All Progressive Congress (APC) made this known at a press conference in Osogbo, the Osun State capital over the weekend.

The media expert averred that there is need to build on huge infrastructural development drive of the Aregbesola led administration.

“For my government, we will focus on job creation particularly for the youths. Our targets for the four years of governance is to provide gainful employment directly for 400,000 youths and another 200,000 jobs through  the establishment of 10 vocational centres in each local government and LCDA of the state. Collaboration with the Bank of Industry for soft loans to start new business by our youths.

“Investment in ICT for our youths to compete for jobs within and outside the state will be our priority. Osun youths are known to be creative, intelligent and hard working. Hence, various committees are being constituted currently  across the state to identify the gaps.

Speaking on the need to give priority on the welfare of the workers in the state, Ibiyemi said “our civil servants will smile again and they would be receiving their salary and allowances as at when due”.

According to him, the gradual  rise in oil price  is another opportunity to make improve the welfare of the civil servants.

“Research and  Development is an area abandoned by successive administration at the Federal level. With the number of Tertiary institutions in Osun, collaboration of the state government will provide opportunity for the state to become inventors.

“On infrastructure, construction of roads and facilities needed to attract investment and l help to create additional jobs. For instance, on a project site where a contractor engages 50 workers, additional  100 jobs by sub-contractors and foo suppliers among others will be created.

“The state is blessed with several solid state minerals such as  gold. These minerals remain a major source of revenue generation through the invitation of genuine investment.

Commending Governor Aregbesola for his unprecedented achievements despite meager resources in the Federal allocation, Ibiyemi said he was ready to build on Aregbesola’s achievements, promising to run a government with human face.

“At the peak of the downturn, the Federal Allocation to Osun reduced by half, hence for the achievements of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, it was a job well done I am ready to build on it and run a government with human face.

“For the roles of APC leaders, I am assuring them that coming on board is to take governance to the grassroots and give a new lease of life to the aged and the youths as well as the women.

“I am therefore offering myself to serve Osun State as the next Governor under the umbrella of our great party- All Progressives Congress ( APC) as Tiwa Ntiwa ( PEOPLES government.)

He however commended the leader of the APC and the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for standing behind President Mohammed Buhari in his bid to take the country to the greater heights.

He said the APC led federal government has hijacked the country from the treasury looting members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP whom he said have done more harm to the country’s economy.