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OYES: Aregbesola’s Legacy of Giving Life To Youths Using Life Skills
AS a global phenomenon, governments and administrations are mostly appraised in their twilight, by the amount of projects that can be tagged ‘legacy projects’ accomplished whilst in office.
In Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s State of Osun, one wouldn’t have to look too far to highlight the youth-themed project, Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), as one of the prime legacy projects that have adorned his administration with an apparel of distinction.
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As far as sustainable youth empowerment is concerned, Aregbesola’s OYES has proven to be the strategic solution to a monsoon of unemployment and economic malaise that ravaged the state prior to his administration. Seven years of seamless implementation later, and with the 4th batch of OYES cadets recently commissioned for empowerment, there lies no other perfect time to look back on this widely -acclaimed scheme that came with an air of difference from other schemes before it.
As a revolving volunteers’ scheme designed to eliminate the frustration and paralyzing effect of unacceptably high and seemingly intractable youth unemployment pervasive in Osun, nay, Nigeria, the OYES scheme was installed back in 2010 to drive wholistic entrepreneurial and life skills into a swathe of unemployed youths, all with the strategic intention of achieving lasting empowerment for its beneficiaries.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola addressing the OYES Cadet
In other words, the OYES scheme basically said “NO” to the idea of giving mere handouts to youths in the name of empowerment, rather, it sought how to employ youths into a skills accrual setup, where they are paid a stipend while at it, and where they are nurtured to outgrow this setup into becoming gainful entrepreneurs of their own.
At inception, the validity of the OYES scheme was proven by the mammoth acceptance it received. Over 250,000 youths sought to register for a scheme that had space for 20,000. Right there, was the challenge that threatened the success of the scheme, but it also exposed the strategic depth bought into the scheme by Aregbesola and his co-pilots for OYES.
In order to ensure that the remaining interested applicants are not just discarded after engaging the initial 20,000 qualified applicants, the idea of batches was hatched and were created. Then, a robust exit strategy was put in place to facilitate the entrance of every batch (member) into the Nigerian economy, with their capacity improved, and also empowered to walk into life-long careers.
With a further forensic insight into the innards of the scheme, one would notice that Governor Aregbesola and his team deliberately made sure that every batch member, as part of this exit strategy, will be armed with new skills, life skills, entrepreneurship and mentoring skill sets, to ensure that they are prepared for a honourable and gainful exit from the scheme. This described above, is the most notable edge that singles out OYES from an array of empowerment schemes that flood the political and administrative landscape. For the past 7 years, this one strategy has created a healthy flow into the state and national economies, and at the same time allowed succeeding batches of 20,000 unemployed youths to experience the benefits of serving as Cadet Volunteers in OYES.
Cadet Volunteers in OYES demonstrating exemplary display of traditional military pageantry
Over these years, the OYES cadets and corps have been deployed to offer productive services in identified areas of socio-economic life, as the scheme is divided into cadres such as the green gangs; the sanitation czars; the paramedics; the traffic marshals; the sheriff corps, and the public works brigade. They are also smartly kitted for group identity, high morale, and to give some finesse to their esteem.
Till date, the scheme keeps stacking packs of testimonies to its success, lives have been changed, new careers have been built, and jobs have been created. For what is worth, OYES has been described in both national and global circles as a phenomenal idea whose conception and implementation is unprecedented in the world in social impact and economic benefits to the people.
Ultimately, values of hard-work and the dignity of labour have been instilled in a society that seriously needed it. This comes from the understanding that OYES thrives largely on the values of apalara, igunpa niyekan, an admixture of character and competence, values deeply entrenched in the omoluabi ethos.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/oyo-commissioner-charges-youths-on-innovative-ideas-to-foster-national-development/
Without an iota of doubt, to the youths in Osun and their families, OYES is Aregbesola’s light at the beginning of their tunnel, through the tunnel, the end of the tunnel, and even now beyond it.
In a few months from now, Ogbeni Rauf will be walking out of the White House, Abeere, leaving behind a exemplary legacy of creating sustainable jobs and transforming lives with the seedlings of meaningful and holistic empowerment, a legacy perfectly primed to outlive his administration.
Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo South Senatorial District have endorsed a member of the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Alice Hall, Ibadan, with party leaders, stakeholders, local government chairmen and state executive members from the nine local government areas in attendance.
The councils represented at the meeting are Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Ido.
The stakeholders expressed satisfaction with Oseni’s aspiration, describing it as timely, credible and anchored on tested leadership and grassroots appeal.
Those present at the meeting included Chief Timothy Jolaoso (Ibarapa East); Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe (Ido); Chief Abdulrauf Bello (Ido); Alhaji Muili Oluokun (Ibadan North-West); Alhaji Mufutau Adisa (Ibadan South-East); Alhaji Bello Oladeji (Ibadan North); Prince Gbade Lana (Ibadan North-East); Engr. Olatunji (Ibadan South-West); Comrade Wale Gbadamosi (Ibarapa North); and Alhaja Moji Adetona (Ibarapa Central).
Other party officials in attendance were the senatorial chairman, Alhaji Mojeed Adebayo; the secretary, Fatai Adesina; Welfare Officer, Sunday Babalola; Deputy Women Leader, Alhaja Fatimah Hassan; Auditor, Alhaja Tinu Adigun; Youth Leader, Lekan Adebayo; Ex-Officio member, Kola Amoo; Treasurer, Lateef Ajiboye; and Senatorial Youth Leader, Olalekan Olowe.
A chieftain of the party in Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Shina Alabi, moved the motion for the lawmaker’s endorsement, which was seconded and unanimously adopted by the stakeholders.
Alabi said Oseni’s decision to abide by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to step down his governorship ambition for the senatorial race underscored his loyalty and commitment to party unity.
He said, “Hon. Oseni has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of the people. His leadership style is inclusive, responsive and development-driven. We are convinced that his emergence as the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District will strengthen the party’s chances and guarantee effective representation.”
He also urged party members to remain united and rally behind credible aspirants with proven capacity and electoral value.
In his remarks, Hon. Aderemi Oseni said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat followed the presidential directives, noting that he accepted the decision in the interest of party cohesion, progress and stability. He recalled that he had earlier prepared for the Oyo South senatorial race in the 2023 general elections, having already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms as part of an arrangement reached, before stepping down following appeals by party leaders.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said the party must close ranks to reclaim political dominance in the senatorial district.
According to him, “There is a huge task ahead, especially with several House of Representatives seats in the district currently held by the opposition. We must work together, mobilise effectively and secure victory for our party and leader, President Bola Tinubu”.
Oseni thanked party leaders and stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to advancing the interests of Oyo South Senatorial District.
The meeting also had representatives from all nine local government areas, with about 10 leaders from each council in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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