Top Stories
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.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/aregbesolas-deputy-tomori-breaks-silence-tells-public-to-disregard-rumours-of-alliance-with-opposition/
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.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
-
Politics3 days agoIbarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
-
Politics1 week agoMakinde: My Successor Must Be Loyal to Oyo, Not Me
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Former Oyo Deputy Governor Adeyemo Emerges APC Chairman (See Full List)
-
News2 days agoNERC orders DisCos to refund ₦20.33bn meter costs to customers