Politics
Group Lauds Oseni, Expresses Shock at EYM’s Abrupt Shift from Praise to Criticism
The Ibarapa East/Ido Concern Citizens (IICC) have responded robustly to recent criticisms from the Eruwa Youth Movement (EYM) concerning Engr. Aderemi Oseni, the Member representing the Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State.
The EYM’s letter expressed concerns about developmental progress and alleged unmet promises by the lawmaker, prompting a detailed rebuttal from the IICC last Friday.
The IICC acknowledged the concerns but argued that Oseni’s significant personal contributions and dedication to the constituency’s development, both prior to and following his election, warrant collective commendation and support rather than premature criticism.
“It is important to recognize that Hon. Aderemi Oseni has shown considerable capacity, quality representation, and a steadfast commitment to our constituency’s development. His continued investment of personal resources—both before and after his election—deserves commendation and encouragement rather than early criticism. Such actions could potentially deter other distinguished individuals from serving our community,” the response stated.
The IICC also highlighted the EYM’s recognition of Oseni’s acquisition of N120 million worth of earth-moving equipment, including a bulldozer and a road grader, as deserving of acknowledgment.
“This equipment is intended to advance grassroots development and ensure food security within our constituency, representing a groundbreaking initiative in Oyo State’s political history. We are aware that this equipment, inaugurated in March 2024, has been used to repair rural roads before the rainy season. It is impractical to undertake earthwork and grading during the rainy season, underscoring the need for mutual understanding on this issue,” the statement explained.
The IICC further questioned why the EYM has targeted Oseni alone for criticism while other key officials, such as the Oyo State Governor, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Senator representing Oyo South, local government chairmen, and other local leaders, have not faced similar scrutiny.
“We question why the Eruwa Youth Movement has focused its criticism solely on Hon. Oseni. Have similar concerns been directed at the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, local government chairmen, former House of Assembly members, or the Senator representing Oyo South, Barr. Sarafadeen Alli, who were elected alongside Oseni? These are critical questions that need clear answers.”
The IICC expressed confusion over the EYM’s shift from previous praise to recent criticism of Oseni, urging clarification of their stance and intentions.
“The Eruwa Youth Movement, which only two months ago praised Hon. Aderemi Oseni for his substantial contributions to the federal constituency and suggested he deserved not only commendation but celebration, now starkly contrasts with its recent condemnation. What has changed so drastically to warrant this shift in stance?
“We must question whose interests the youth group is truly serving. Is it the students whose WAEC and JAMB fees he has covered, the artisans and market women he has supported, or the communities he has aided through various projects and financial assistance? Or does this criticism stem from motives of personal gain and blackmail? The IICC is puzzled by this apparent contradiction.”
The IICC challenged the EYM’s claims of unsuccessful communication attempts with the lawmaker, citing Oseni’s open-door policy and multiple communication channels, including his 67 special assistants across the 20 wards, constituency office, and active WhatsApp groups.
The group urged the EYM to utilize these channels to address their concerns directly with the lawmaker.
The IICC called for patience and continued support for Oseni, emphasizing the need to navigate bureaucratic processes and recognize the progress made in his first year in office.
They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the Eruwa Youth Movement and other stakeholders to advance community development and address pressing needs in the Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency.
Read the full statement:
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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