The Oyo South Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has released N110m for youth digital training, boreholes and solar-powered streetlights across the 10 wards of Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to a statement by the lawmaker’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, the intervention comprises N10m for equipping the Eruwa Youth Movement (EYM) Secretariat’s Information and Communication Technology Centre (ICT) and N100m for the provision of boreholes and solar-powered streetlights in Eruwa, Lanlate and other communities across the local government.

Oseni, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the ICT centre allocation was intended to provide modern equipment to strengthen digital training and equip young people with practical skills relevant to employment and entrepreneurship.

He said the investment was driven by the need to prepare young people for the demands of an increasingly technology-driven economy.

“Our young people have talents and ambitions, but they need access to the right tools and opportunities. Equipping the Eruwa Youth Movement (EYM) ICT Centre is a practical step towards helping them develop useful skills, become more self-reliant and compete for opportunities in the digital economy,” he was quoted as saying.

The lawmaker explained that the larger allocation of N100m would support the provision of boreholes and solar-powered streetlights across the 10 wards of Ibarapa East.

He said the boreholes would improve access to water for households, while the streetlights would enhance security, improve visibility and make community roads and public spaces safer after dark.

Idowu said the latest intervention was in addition to the lawmaker’s earlier constituency development efforts in Ido and Ibarapa East local government areas, particularly in basic infrastructure and youth development.

He added that distributing the projects across the 10 wards was aimed at ensuring that communities across the local government benefited from the intervention.

“Our responsibility is to support projects that respond to the real needs of our people. Access to water, safer public spaces and opportunities for our young people are important to the well-being of our communities,” Oseni was further quoted as saying.

The APC senatorial candidate reaffirmed his commitment to effective representation and sustained grassroots engagement, assuring residents that he would continue to support initiatives addressing the needs of communities across the district.

Swegop to Politicians: Stop Mudslinging, Fix Roads

The South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has urged politicians to stop mudslinging and focus on issues affecting Nigerians, while calling on the Federal Government and state governments to declare a state of emergency on roads ravaged by rainfall.

The guild said political campaigns should be centred on policies, development plans and practical solutions to the people’s problems, rather than false information, unsubstantiated allegations and personal attacks.

The position was contained in a statement signed by the guild’s Acting Chairman, Chief Tunde Busari, and Publicity Secretary, Mr Remi Oladoye.

SWEGOP warned that spreading misinformation during political campaigns could erode public confidence in the democratic process, urging politicians to tell the electorate what they intend to do and how they plan to deliver on their promises.

It called on political actors to embrace responsible communication and constructive engagement, stressing that campaigns should provide voters with clear choices on policies and programmes capable of improving their lives.

In a related development, the guild called on the Federal Government and state governments to urgently address the worsening condition of roads following damage caused by rainfall in several areas.

It expressed concern that some roads had been washed away or rendered impassable, making movement difficult for motorists and other road users.

The guild urged the relevant authorities to prioritise the rehabilitation of damaged roads, improve drainage systems and implement lasting solutions to prevent recurring damage, particularly during the rainy season.

It warned that the deteriorating road network posed risks to road users and could disrupt the movement of people and goods, with consequences for commercial activities and the wider economy.

SWEGOP stressed that emergency repairs must be backed by proper drainage, effective maintenance and coordinated action by the different levels of government to prevent the problem from recurring.

The guild maintained that responsible political campaigns and urgent action on failing infrastructure were both necessary to address public concerns and improve the lives of Nigerians.

Governorship, Oyo South senatorial candidates meet traditional rulers, religious leaders and community groups

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, and the party’s Oyo South senatorial candidate, Hon. Remi Oseni, have toured Ibarapa North, Central and East Local Government Areas to seek stakeholders’ support for their 2027 candidacies and other APC candidates across the ballot.

The two-day tour, which took place on Monday and Tuesday, covered Igangan, Tapa, Ayete, Idere, Igbo-Ora and Eruwa, where the candidates met traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups and other stakeholders to discuss the area’s development challenges and solicit their backing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

During the engagements, Alli outlined his priorities for Oyo State, promising to prioritise the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Ibarapa road, extending to Igangan, improve the education sector, revive public water supply and strengthen local government administration if elected governor.

The delegation visited the palaces of the Asigangan of Iganganland, Oba Rafiu Adeniyi; the Asawo of Ayete, Oba Emanuel Ewuola Okeniyi; the Elempe of Tapa, Oba Sunday Oyekanmi Titiloye (Abioje I); the Olu of Igbo-Ora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye (Asoroolu Ayinla V); and the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola (Ajobo Olurin I). The team was also hosted by Dr. Olusola Ayandele Eruobodo at his residence on Monday evening.

Speaking during the meetings, Alli identified effective local government administration as critical to grassroots development, noting that local councils must be empowered to deliver meaningful improvements to their communities. He pledged to work towards a functional local government system that would make development more visible at the grassroots.

On education, the APC governorship candidate expressed concern about the standard of learning in the state and proposed limiting class sizes to a maximum of 30 pupils to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

He also promised to ensure that Oyo State’s financial resources, including federal allocations, translate into tangible improvements in infrastructure and public services. As part of his plans to improve residents’ welfare, he pledged to work towards reviving the state water corporation to ensure a more reliable supply of clean water across the state.

On infrastructure, Alli reiterated his commitment to reconstructing the Ibadan-Ibarapa road, extending to Igangan. He also promised to create greater opportunities for indigenous construction firms in the award of public contracts, while engaging external contractors for projects beyond the capacity of local companies.

The APC candidate also criticised the reported N5.5 billion expenditure on a stadium, questioning whether the facility met international standards and adequately served the needs of the state’s football clubs, particularly Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).

He cited difficulties faced by the club in arranging matches, including playing several away fixtures within a week and receiving a hostile reception at its temporary home ground in Ogun State. He attributed these challenges to the stadium facility’s reported failure to meet the required standards.

Also addressing the gatherings, Oseni, who is seeking election to the Senate to represent Oyo South Senatorial District, highlighted his contributions to the development of communities across Ibarapa and appealed to residents and community leaders to support his senatorial ambition.

He urged stakeholders to support APC candidates across the ballot, arguing that stronger cooperation between the state and the Federal Government could improve Oyo State’s access to federal opportunities, resources and development initiatives.

At a meeting with the League of Imams in Igbo-Ora, Alli acknowledged that disunity within the Muslim community might have affected communication with political leaders. He assured the religious leaders that his administration would not marginalise any religious group and appealed for their support for his aspiration and those of other APC candidates.

The tour was attended by APC leaders and campaign officials, including the Director-General of the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign, Hon. Yemi Aderibigbe; the Director-General of the Remi Oseni Campaign Council, Chief Lowo Obisesan; and the APC Deputy National Auditor, Hon. Gbenga Ariba, alongside other party leaders from across Oyo State.