Politics
Oyo Rep, Oseni Unveils Holistic Approach To Combat Drug Abuse
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo state, has unveiled innovative strategies to combat youth drug abuse in the area.
His transformative agenda, known as the 3Es, focuses on Youth Education, Engagement, and Empowerment.
Recognising the alarming rates of drug abuse among Nigerian youth, Oseni, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), embarked on a dedicated journey marked by visionary leadership.
The 3Es agenda, which targets the root causes of substance abuse, was elucidated by the lawmaker during the Special Edition of Bayo Faleke Annual Public Lecture On Radio. According to the APC chieftain, his motivation stems from firsthand experiences during the electioneering campaign, where he witnessed the pervasive influence of drug abuse on vulnerable youth.
During interactions with youth in his constituency, Oseni said he encountered resistance to all forms of assistance, leading him to adopt a multifaceted approach to address the issue effectively.
“During my campaigns, I encountered many youths who were overwhelmed by drug abuse. I held a session with them in the Ijokodo area of my constituency. We had a discussion lasting almost 2 to 3 hours, during which I specifically expressed my intention to empower them, provide financial support, assist with their education and careers, and help in any way possible.
“I was deeply troubled when some of them expressed disinterest in these opportunities, insisting that all they wanted was money. They conveyed that they were content with their current situation. This revelation saddened me deeply.
“I also visited the second local government area within my constituency and encountered a similar situation. The sheer number of youths following me made me realise the magnitude of the challenge I faced in addressing youth issues comprehensively. This realisation prompted me to focus on what I call the 3Es,” he remarked.
Under Youth Education, Oseni initiated programmes to alleviate financial burdens on students and ensure equal access to educational opportunities by covering the costs of WAEC and JAMB examinations among others.
The lawmaker’s Youth Engagement efforts prioritized sustainable employment opportunities over short-term solutions like providing motorcycles. Through the appointment of over 60 Special Assistants, Oseni aimed to foster a sense of purpose and belonging within the community.
Youth Empowerment was central to Oseni’s strategy, with a substantial N100 million grant allocated to support youth businesses and deter criminal activities and drug abuse.
He stressed the importance of advocating for the removal of affected youths from the streets, emphasising the role of prayer alongside government efforts to curb drug abuse.
“I identify with some of them and to the glory of God, I have plucked them from the streets, and their lives have improved. As a legislator, alongside the ongoing efforts by the federal government to curb drug abuse among our youth, including the strengthening of NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies, advocating for the removal of these affected youths from the streets is crucial. Additionally, prayer plays a vital role in all situations, and we must continue to pray for them,” the lawmaker added.
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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