₦airaland Forum

[size=14pt]The deliberate inactions of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and those of other Peoples Democratic Party governments since 1999 have encouraged corruption and obfuscation in the Nigerian oil industry, an agency has stated.[/size]
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, on Monday, expressed frustration in its efforts to boost the level of transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry.

Geomac: I still don't know why she could not be advised to go to Delta State Government/Secretariat for assistance, why Lagos?

RedReact: Chairman, if other governors in the past had done what he is doing now, we won't be talking about urban-renewal again. Change is gradual and we have not gotten anywhere, but we aren't where we were even past governors left office. London wasn't built within 4 years at all, and he can't do everything within 8 years, in case he gets re-elected, but his successor won't want to fall below standard of how governance is meant to be.

DJTee: You are definitely in need of help . . . You have a completely warped sense of communication as you cannot put your points across without resorting to verbal abuse.

You've already been distinguished with the sobriquet "tribalistic punk" and I wont make that hurt than it should so will only ask you to seek real knowledge and get your hate-filled heart out of the abyss of squalid haplessness. Get a grip; get a life and emancipate your senses!

billante: Really? And I had more than 20 likes on my contribution!

It was condemned by your fellow bigots who are totally partisan in their comments! What I totally abhor is u guys disgusting hypocrisy

DJTee: Check yourself before you wreck yourself. An acerbic tongue plus an explosive temper won't take you far - can tell you that for free! Rather than launch into a tirade of "sweet nothings", my point remains the same - political leaders in Lagos (not really bothered about the SW since the demographics are not any better than in the north) should not dogmatically feel they are doing us a favour by providing basic infrastructure. That's their freaking job for crying out freaking loud considering the enormous resources at their disposal!! And by the way, that's why its called BASIC infrastructure.

And you know what's really nauseating? Its regional leaders who time after time put narrow interests of a few well ahead of collective interests of all. This dangerous and self destructive gene which now seems permanently ingrained into Yoruba fabric was unwittingly birthed when Awo accepted number 2 role in Gowon's government to preserve a federation that fell apart the moment innocent blood of its own citizens were spilled in the North. It would appear he did this so he could become president of the federal republic one day - how very wrong he was. Same mistake with MKO Abiola and Earnest Shonekan. From these past experiences, its unlikely the Yoruba won't get diddly squat from all of Tinubu's ongoing hobnobbing with Buhari...but you know what the sad vicious cycle will simply continue!

The most important lessons I've learned about life - time always reveal the truth. You may choose to ignore and keep running from the truth but in the fullness of time, it'll eventuallycatch up with you

olivertwist: Easy Sir Gbawe!

DJTee: Honestly....whats the real essence of your post? Well suggest you reconstruct in simple understandable English, Mr Blabbing-old-silly-Arrow!

DJTee: Spot on! Makes me sick in the stomach whenever cheapskates try to propagandise the most basic responsibilities and obligations of government. I blame this on those savage military boys who ravaged, brutalised & repressed folk to a state of mental surrender so much that most Lagosians now think the sun shines out of the backside of its rogue regional leaders.

Chubhie: Words from the streets has it that some of those small buses found their way into the hands of hard core known political thugs/assassins. And that one even called a party during the weekend for people to come and celebrate with the gift Ajimose gave him. He could be settling boys in anticipation for 2015. I have no political affiliation but i keep my ears on the street cos of my business interests.

I respect his drive to bring sanity into the system and there are other more effective ways driving his policies home without sacrificing the economic well being of the masses.That Iwo Road will be drive free is a miracle in its self.

StateOfMind: Who needs your commendation? This is not a competition, so we do not need to go about taking pictures to prove to you that our governor is working. Most of you already have the mindset of nothing good coming out of ibadan. Local, dirty, unplanned, dirty roofs, bla bla. Please keep up with the mindset while ibadan continues to develop and grow into a beautiful city.

@Op, I have to admit ibadan has really changed. Too many transformations to be mentioned. I still told my sister last week that she would not know her way around when next she visits ib.

Ajimobi has his own shortcomings I must say, which is expected cos he's human, but he's trying his best and we appreciate that.

Ajimobi moves to revolutionize transportation system in Oyo, inaugurates 100 buses
Posted in Featured News, Press/News on April 29, 2013

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Wednesday, took a major step in his administration’s comprehensive urban mass transit programme, as he inaugurated 100 units of mass transit buses for onward distribution to transport unions in the State.
The inauguration, held at the Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, was witnessed by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) among others, as well as stakeholders from all the 33 Local Government areas of the State.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Ajimobi reiterated his administration’s determination to revolutionize transportation system in the State.
Part of the revolution in the transportation sector, he said, would be the introduction of cable cars and light rail system, as well as another 100 mass transit buses, aside the Keke Ajumose (tricycles) and the buses being introduced.
He also promised that his government would procure another 100 luxury buses to be christened “Pacesetter Transport Services’’, adding that this would be managed by the government.
The Governor also said that his administration would build more garages and motor parks for members of transport unions, adding that every member of the unions would be issued with an identification card and uniforms with a view to instilling sanity in the operations of the unions.

Governor Ajimobi appealed to the people of the State to ensure prompt payment of taxes so that government would have enough funds to execute its laudable projects for their benefits.
He stressed the need for the maintenance of clean environment, adding that mobile courts had been introduced to try environmental sanitation offenders and that the court would begin operation next week.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Forum of Local Government Caretaker Chairmen in the state, Mr. Yekeen Popoola, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his efforts at improving the transportation system in the State.
He disclosed that three buses would be distributed to each of the 33 Local Government councils in the State and appealed to beneficiaries to give the buses good maintenance at all times.

django1: Wow! That's a great CV!

If PDP are to ever come back to OYO and SW in general, they can never try the nonsense they were doing before, the bar have now been set so high!

Academic and political initiatives

Kayode Fayemi is a former Director of the Centre for Democracy & Development, a research and training institution dedicated to the study and promotion of democratic development, peace-building and human security in Africa. Prior to his establishment of the Centre, he worked as a lecturer, journalist, researcher and Strategy Development adviser in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He was Strategy Development Adviser at London’s City Challenge; research fellow at the African Research & Information Bureau in London, UK, reporter with the newspapers, The Guardian and City Tempo, editor of the political monthly, Nigeria-Now, management consultant at Development and Management Consultants and lecturer at the Police College in Sokoto, Nigeria.

As a prominent leader of the Nigerian opposition to military rule in exile, he was responsible for the founding and management of the opposition radios – Radio Freedom, Radio Democracy International & Radio Kudirat and played a central role in the opposition’s diplomatic engagements in exile. An account of the process and roles played in the setting up of Radio Kudirat may be found in Fayemi's book Out Of The Shadows.

Amongst his numerous academic and public policy engagements at home and abroad, Kayode Fayemi has lectured in Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia. He has also served as an adviser on transitional justice, regional integration, constitutionalism, security sector reform and civil-military relations issues to various governments, inter-governmental institutions and development agencies. He was the main technical adviser to Nigeria’s Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (Oputa Panel), which investigated past abuses and currently serves on the Presidential Implementation Committees on Security Sector Reform, NEPAD and the Millennium Development Goals.

He was technical expert to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on small arms and light weapons and United Nations Economic Commission of Africa on governance issues. He is also a member, Africa Policy Advisory Panel of the British Government. At other times he has served as a consultant to the OECD on Security Sector Reform and chaired the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative’s Committee of Experts on developing guiding principles and mechanisms of constitution making in Commonwealth Africa.

Kayode Fayemi is a Fellow of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, Adjunct Professor of Security Studies at the African Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., USA. He was also a Visiting Professor in the African Studies Programme at Northwestern University, Evanston, USA in 2004. Dr Fayemi serves on numerous Boards including the Governing Board of the Open Society Justice Institute, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, African Security Sector Network, and on the Advisory Board of the Global Facilitation Network on Security Sector Reform and on the Management Culture Board of the ECOWAS Secretariat.

malc619: Oga Gbawe if nor be say you be chief I for scold you for quoting the whole article.

django1: I tell you!

Another KFC is opening soon in Bodija now, Golden Tulip hotel is opening in Monatan by june 6!

And some folks will say its only brown roofs that's in ibadan!

I can't wait for the malls to be fully opened!

Professional career

He returned to Nigeria in 1977 and joined Management and Industrial Consulting firm as a Senior Consultant. He thereafter worked briefly with Modulor Group (an architectural firm) as the Finance and Admin Controller, before joining Nestle Foods PLC. as the Operations Controller and later as Marketing Controller. In 1979, he joined National Oil and Chemical Marketing Company as the Consumer Products Manager. He was the youngest Manager to occupy such a sensitive position.

His performance quickly earned him promotion to the level of Divisional Manager within one and a half years. Thus becoming the youngest Divisional Manager to be thus appointed.

He was later promoted to head a newly created Corporate Credit division reporting directly to the Managing director. As a top flyer in the company and based on his problem solving ability he was deployed to Ibadan Business District as the Area Manager to ensure the repositioning of the company's entire activities in the area. The Company and the district experienced landmark achievements in its modern retail network resulting. In 1987 he built the company’s first 3 in 1 and the largest petrol station retail outlet in Nigeria. The district office built during his tenure still stands out today in Jericho, Ibadan.

In 1987, based on a worldwide international strategic positioning of the lubricants business desired by Shell International Oil Company, he was appointed the Lubricants Manager. He successfully built a new Lubricant division which became the most profitable business of the company and the largest contributor to the corporate profit. Having completed the strategic repositioning of the Lubricants department, he was moved to manage another troubled business arm- the aviation department. By 1993, he had acquired broad exposure in virtually all the marketing arms of the company.

As part of the grooming programme he was posted on an international assignment to Shell International storage company of Togo, serving the whole of West Africa as Chief Executive. He also was the Operations Director of Shell Marketing Company in Togo covering some West African countries.
He returned to Nigeria in 1995 and was appointed in 1996 as Oil Sales Manager in 1998. He was appointed to the board of the company as Executive director- Marketing, a position he held before his appointment on February 2001, as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil and Chemical Marketing Company. As Managing Director he substainally improved the profitability of the company and the shareholders fortune. In 2003, he voluntarily retired after 26 years of service in the Oil industry.
In his successful professional career spanning a period of over three decades, Abiola Ajimobi was quick witted and positively impacted on the businesses and people he interacted with.[4]

KnowAll: Have u been to shaki or iseyin those towns look like some garrison towns of the kiriji wars of 1890's, no form of development. In Iseyin Town Aso-Oke is the only business in town, if I lie show us the picture. Ogbomosho and Oyo becos a federal road passes through their territory hence some semblance of development apart from that, the Oyatoooo Gov Akala made some effort in Ogbomosho and he got his returns with the 400,00o votes that came his way. What of Oyo Alaafin, nothing dey happen as far as I am concerned.

ceah: The Professor of Virology in an interview said what is playing out in his home state was not only “unfortunate, but disgraceful, embarrassing and scandalous, not only to Rivers but to the entire country.”

Commenting on the face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaech, he said, the president is surrounded by those who would not tell him the truth.

According to him, “Time will come when he will realise that the people around him are sycophants. Give them money; they say one thing today and another thing tomorrow. I know people who are taking money from him, but he will realise they are not his friends or brothers. I pray that God should open the eyes of Jonathan to know the good, bad and ugly; to know those who are helping him and those who are feeding on him.”

Speaking further, he said, “What is happening in Rivers is a great disgrace. He (Jonathan) has no business chasing Amaechi. If Amaechi is not performing well, I will be the first to criticise him. Why not? I have criticised 14 governors before him, so what is so special about him that if he is doing badly I cannot criticise him. And why I criticise is that I have freedom against fear. Nobody or government can frighten me.”

When asked why it seems the presidency was against the governor, the outspoken academician said, it was hard to tell but stressed that the latter has performed well in office and deserves commendation rather than the present treatmen that is being meted out to him.



“If the current problem with Amaechi is that he is not performing, I will say Jonathan, congratulations. If the current problem with Amaechi is because he is corrupt, I will say Jonathan, I congratulate you 10 times. If the controversy is because security is down in Rivers, I will say Jonathan I congratulate you 100 times. Right now, Jonathan, I don’t congratulate you at all. I say shame on you because you are not doing what is expected of you as a President.”

“If we go by proportion, say Jonathan take what you have done in any area at the national level, and take what Amaechi has done as governor of Rivers in that area, Amaechi scored better in education, health, security; the governor scored one million times better. In Rivers before now, security was bad. In Port Harcourt, which is a garden city of joy, nobody was going out. Amaechi stopped all that. Now you can go out in Port Harcourt and stay till anytime.”

Tracing the root of the problem, David-west said that “The president’s problem with Amaechi came first because of the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike. This is sad. Wike is one of Amaechi’s closest friends. They were so close that Amaechi made him Chief of Staff. If Amaechi didn’t want Wike to be minister, he could have blocked it.”

On reports that Amaechi has been showing signs of insubordination to the President, the professor dismissed such claims.

“That is rubbish. Insubordination to who? Is Jonathan his boss?” he asked.

“ Jonathan is the President of Nigeria and Amaechi is the governor of Rivers. The Constitution is clear. If Amaechi is showing signs of insubordination, what about Tam David-West who has been criticising you? Why don’t you say I’m insubordinate? You are a citizen and I am a citizen. We have equal rights in the Constitution. You happen to be, by accident, my President.”

“Jonathan should get this clear, Amaechi is not his subordinate. Amaechi is a principled, stubborn person. Any person who is principled and knows his onus would be stubborn. He cannot be tossed here and there,” he said

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/05/19/to-accuse-amaechi-of-insubordination-is-rubbish-jonathan-is-not-his-boss-david-west/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=to-accuse-amaechi-of-insubordination-is-rubbish-jonathan-is-not-his-boss-david-west&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

lynpetra: Few months after the gruesome killing of four innocent undergraduates in Uniport,justice is yet to prevail.What is really going on?why the delay in charging and sentencing culprits?The death of those innocent youth is still fresh in the minds of a lot of Nigerians,especially those who unfortunately did watch the video.I remembered the night I showed the video to my parents,my dad cried like a baby.My mom who was very ill nearly fell from a sick bed.Am seriously pained as to the way this boys died and I feel for their families who is waiting for justice to be done
Until justice is done,I don't think so many Nigerians will forget how desperately wicked the heart of men can be!

WE NEED JUSTICE FOR ALUU 4!!!

peleson: You are very right. Oyo governor is working seriously. No politics

eggheaders: this guy is really working mehn. never realized I was seeing gate look so free in my lifetime. coupled with how beautiful and free iwo road is now, mokola roundabout bridge is world class then the dualization of eleyele road. the operation burst guys keeping those motor boys in check. pdp is now history in south west.

Oyo adopts PPP for Mass Rehabilitation of Hospitals
Posted in Press/News on May 2, 2013


The Oyo State Government is set to carry out comprehensive rehabilitation of Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan and other state-owned health facilities through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with foreign and local consultants.

The State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi disclosed this in Ibadan on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of the Malaria Control Partners comprising the USAID Washington and President Malaria Initiative in his office.
Governor Ajimobi said that this was part of his administration’s efforts at revitalizing the health sector and improving the health status of the people of the State.
He said that under the new arrangement, medical doctors and other health practitioners would take over the equipping and the running of the hospitals while the State Government would subsidize the running cost in order to enhance easy accessibility for the citizenry.
“We have started to equip our hospitals. We are now going to introduce what we call Public Private Partnership in some of our health centres and hospitals.
“We will bring in doctors and practitioners who will equip and run the hospitals while the Government will subsidize the cost. We are starting with Adeoyo Hospital in the next three months,” he said.
Governor Ajimobi said his administration had taken a lot of steps to improve health care delivery in the State citing the free health mission initiative through which over half a million people had been freely treated as one of the steps.

He commended the efforts of the Malaria Control Partners towards the eradication of malaria in Nigeria, while also pledging the support of his administration towards total eradication of the scourge in the State.
“We are committed to the eradication of malaria in Oyo State. Malaria is number one killer of our people, even more than AIDS. We will use everything we have to eradicate malaria. We have taken a lot of steps towards improving the health status of the people of the State,” the Governor stated.

In his remarks the Presidential Malaria Advisor, Dr. George Greer lauded the efforts of the Ajimobi administration in malaria eradication, stressing that over N2billion had been invested in malaria control in the State.
“I want to express our appreciation to the Oyo State Government for its efforts in reducing the rate of malaria. The collaboration with your state has provided positive results and we will always give the State the necessary support in the eradication of malaria,” he said.
The net State Ambassador and wife of the State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi said the mosquito treated nets had been widely accepted by the people of the State, adding that, by Year 2015, malaria would have been reduced to zero level.

Miss becky: Things are really changing in my city ibadan,some of u need to come to ib city before opening ur mouth that ajimobi has no plans for poor,yeye people....dis is d best gov in oyo state so far

bobthebuilder99: Put some pics and this will hit the front page.

Gov Ajimobi Constructs Business Complex In Ibadan
By: Adebayo Waheed on May 17, 2013 - 3:05am

The Oyo State government and Wemabod Estates Limited have commenced joint construction of an ultra-modern business complex expected to accommodate no fewer than 4,000 shops and 20 warehouses in Ibadan, the state capital.

The special adviser on media to the state governor, Dr Festus Adedayo said in a statement in Ibadan yesterday that Governor Abiola Ajimobi, while laying the foundation stone of the business complex said that it would be a state-of-the-art shopping complex, upon completion.

According to him, the complex, which would be completed within nine months, is located at Samonda area of the Ibadan metropolis.

When completed, he said the project would boast of such facilities as police post, banks, clinics, industrial borehole for supply of potable water, fire station, street light, toilets, worship centres and administrative block.

He described the project as another giant stride in his government’s urban renewal programme, stressing that the event was the second of such in the history of his government.

He disclosed that the Neighbourhood Shopping Complex at Scout Camp, Challenge, Ibadan, whose foundation was laid earlier in the year, would be inaugurated within the next two weeks.

Governor Ajimobi reiterated that the transformation agenda of his administration was put in place to correct the ills of the past and strategically re-position the state for enhancement and promotion of its socio-economic prosperity for the benefit of the people of the state.

Oyo govt, Wemabod begin construction of 4,000-shop complex in Ibadan
Written by
Friday, May 17, 2013

OYO State government and Wemabod Estates Limited have commenced a joint construction of an ultra-modern business complex expected to accommodate not lesser than 4,000 shops and 20 warehouses in Ibadan, the state capital.
The complex, which would be completed within nine months, is located at Samonda area of the Ibadan metropolis.

When completed, the project will boast of such facilities as a police post, banks, clinics, industrial borehole for supply of potable water, fire station, streetlights, toilets, worship centres and administrative block.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi, while laying the foundation stone of the business complex, said that it would be a state-of-the-art shopping complex upon completion. He described the project as another giant stride in his government's urban renewal programme, stressing that the event was the second of such in the history of his government.

He disclosed that the Neighbourhood Shopping Complex at Scout Camp, Challenge, Ibadan, whose foundation was laid earlier in the year, would be inaugurated within the next two weeks.

Governor Ajimobi reiterated that the transformation agenda of his administration was put in place to correct the ills of the past and strategically reposition the state for enhancement and promotion of its socio-economic prosperity for the benefit of the people of the state.

To this end, the governor said the institutional frameworks, which hitherto had been weak, were now being strengthened daily, adding that very soon, the strength of government institutions would be firm, thereby creating a solid foundation for future administrations to build upon for enhancement of good governance.


He assured the people of the state that specific measures had been put in place for the realisation of the transformation agenda, so that by 2015, the state would become one of the most conducive places for socio-economic activities in Nigeria. The governor stressed that the urban renewal policy of his administration was not meant to witch hunt any individual or group, but aimed at taking the state out of the doldrums.

He also assured genuine market men and women in the state, who were affected by his government's urban renewal exercise, that all of them would be comfortably relocated.

Nigerian varsities compared to A’ levels overseas
on MAY 16, 2013 · in EDUCATION

By Favour Nnabugwu

For as much as some Nigerian universities are recognised and well known abroad, some others are reduced to A’ levels overseas.

Chief Executive Officer of Kiara Group, Mr Endi Ezengwa at a media chat with journalists in Abuja, regretted that some of the universities certificates are graded as A’ level over in the United Kingdom by the National Recognition Information Centre, Naric in Cheltenham.

Naric, Ezengwa described advises universities and employers on the rigour of lesser-known qualifications, rates most Nigerian universities to be at par with international A-levels

He said, “The comparability information supplied by UK NARIC is expected to assist candidates when applying for jobs or courses in the UK hence the Statement of comparability can be presented to employers or institutions as supporting information, together with candidates CVs or application forms, as confirmation of the comparable level of qualifications in the UK. This will enable potential employers or admitting institutions to make informed decisions about the suitability of candidates’ qualification(s) for the job or course for which they are applying”.

Obinoscopy: I must commend Osun State for their OYES programme. However the sustainability of this project on the long run should be the target of the govt

Also I think the NDE shld provide more accurate statistics than the NBS

National Vocational Qualification
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are work based awards in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that are achieved through assessment and training. In Scotland they are known as Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ).
To achieve an NVQ, candidates must prove that they have the ability (competence) to carry out their job to the required standard. NVQs are based on National Occupational Standards that describe the 'competencies' expected in any given job role. Typically, candidates will work towards an NVQ that reflects their role in a paid or voluntary position. For example someone working in an admin office role may take an NVQ in Business and Administration.
There are five levels of NVQ ranging from Level 1, which focuses on basic work activities, to Level 5 for senior management.

Assessing Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme
POSTED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH, 2013

By Gbenga Faturoti, Correspondent, Osogbo

It was success story for Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, when his administration disengaged the 20,000 volunteer youths recruited two years ago under the State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) that was introduced by his government. The volunteer cadets were disengaged after they had been successfully trained in various vocational, apprenticeship and entrepreneurship skills for future opportunities.

When the scheme was introduced by the administration exactly in its first 100 days in office around February 2011, the concept was done out of necessity; it was a product of courage, determination, self-conviction, interventionist, political calculation and translation of promises into fulfillments.

This was because the scheme hit the ground at the period when the financial resources were unavailable. Prior to the time, the state was borrowing at least N1billion monthly from financial institutions to meet up its financial commitments in the payment of salaries and allowances of workers of the state as well as other commitments.

There was no hope at that time and the daunting unemployment rate in the state was enough to put off the passion Aregbesola had for the youths who were roaming about the streets without jobs or opportunities to engage in meaningful activities for living.

The monthly stipend of N10,000 to each of the OYES cadets costing N200million aside from the money for their uniform, kits, training and equipment was a huge take-off outlay. Not only the opposition parties in the state were skeptical about the implementation of the scheme, civil servants, artisans, market men and women, professional bodies including journalists and even some members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the political platform upon which Aregbesola emerged.

The insinuation in the state then was that the programme was a political gimmick that was bound to fail at the implementation stage.

In fact, the main opposition party in the state, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was acidic in its criticism of the scheme as it petitioned the Presidency and security agencies to keep eyes on Aregbesola and the state, alleging that the cadets were being trained as political thugs for the purpose of rigging elections. The state government was also accused of plots to secede from Nigeria.

Incidentally, it seems the scheme has come to stay as it appears to have become the platform for recruitment into the state civil service and other programmes.

By the last count, no fewer than 18,000 of the volunteers have secured job placement in the state as exit strategy being implemented by the state after they had been trained for future opportunities.

The scheme was well packaged and executed in that the number of unemployed youths scheming for the second set of 20,000 is more than before the scheme. Investigation also revealed that non-indigenes who are residing in the state have been encouraging their unemployed relatives to part take in the second phase of the scheme. Some are even said to have changed their citizenship status because of the abounding empowerment opportunities of the programme.

What admirers of the government particularly advertise as the cheering news about the programme was that the World Bank recommended it to Federal Government as a model to be replicated in other states of the federation as a viable route in tackling the excruciating unemployment rate in the country.

On account of the success of the programme, our reporter gathered that indices from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that Osun has emerged as the state with the least unemployment rate in the country. It was also said to be rated second best managed state with second lowest poverty level index in the country. It also ranks as second best resources management in the country. Officials of the government celebrate these as feats borne of prudent management of resources and accountability.

According to the Chairman of the OYES Implementation Committee and Director General, Bureau of Social Services to Governor, Femi Ifaturoti, the cadets are taken through various types of vocational and entrepreneurship training, apprenticeship, mentoring, partnerships and collaborations with stakeholders, industry and government.

He stated further that there is Town and Gown collaboration in the areas of skills development, entrepreneurial training and vocational education through engagements with Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State University, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Fountain University, Adeleke University and some private training and development organisations.

“Cadets are encouraged to form Co-operatives. The State Government in turn guarantees soft loans to the Co-operatives by way of Starter packs. One area where this is working well is the Oloba Farm in the outskirts of Iwo, where OYES volunteers under a Co-operative Union, are engaged in cattle and ram fattening and broiler out grower scheme called O-Chicken”, Ifaturoti said.

Speaking further, he said that the scheme was a radical approach by the current administration to tackling unemployment and youth restiveness.

According to him, “OYES , the biggest and arguably the most innovative youth employment initiative in Africa is progressing. At the core of the OYES scheme is volunteerism. It redefines work as the fulfillment of the needs of the community through invaluable contributions that accommodate no class distinctions or false ego.

“OYES as a revolving volunteers scheme is designed to eliminate the frustration and paralyzing effect of unacceptably high and seemingly intractable youth unemployment pervasive in Osun nay, Nigeria.

“It aims at creating a bridge to employment by equipping as many young men and women; our new youth, with positive work ethics and culture, self-sustenance, resourcefulness and respect for the environment. It is designed to promote character and competence and the “yes we can” spirit in the youths.

“The OYES corps were deployed to productive services in identified areas of socio-economic life, smartly kitted for group identity, morale and paid an allowance that the World Bank has said is the highest paid on any such programme anywhere in the world. In fact the government was advised that with such amount many previously employed would be tempted to cross over to OYES – a phenomenon that came true and created new challenges for the management team.

“Areas of deployment include Public Works, Sanitation Czars, Paramedics, Green Gang, Sheriff Corps, e-payment vendors and Traffic Marshalls. Then came teachers’ corps through which 5400 graduates were seconded to classrooms to provide support. A new corps, Farmers Corps is also emerging as a fallout of OYES’ massive involvement in Agricultural programmes and training by the State”, he stated.

Ifaturoti remarked that opportunities abound for volunteers who apply themselves diligently. He said; “at the recently conducted interviews to fill vacancies in the public service, the directive that 60 percent of the intakes must be from OYES was adhered to, thereby boosting the morale of the volunteers themselves and enhancing public confidence in the scheme”.

Speaking at the passing out parade, Aregbesola expressed appreciation to God and the people of the state for the astounding success of the programme saying that the scheme was conceived in order to take the youths off the streets and give them orientation about public service and contribution to the development of their society.

While describing his government as unstoppable, Aregbesola maintained that the programme was one of the progressive efforts and development policies of his administration.

He explained that the recruitment of the 20,000 volunteers was not only to generate jobs but to re-float the economy of the state, stressing that the N10,000 monthly stipend paid to each of the cadets sinks into the economy of the state aside from the fact that their uniform, kits and equipment were sourced from the markets spread round all the local government councils of the state.

According to him, “the OYES programme was designed as a stop-gap scheme to train the youth and imbue them with positive work orientation and ethics such as self-sustenance, resourcefulness, character and competence, and to give them the self-confidence to forge ahead and overcome life’s numerous challenges”.

He added that OYES is not about youth employment alone. “It is also about re-inflating the economy of the State. Every month, the N200 million allowances paid to the cadets sink into the economy of the State. Our backward integration policy requires that all the uniform, kits and equipment used by OYES be obtained from the markets spread round all the local governments in the State. This has created value chain, improved the economy of the State, empowered families and created wealth”, he enthused.

While noting that his administration feels fulfilled two years after the programme, Aregbesola said he had the evidence of its success when the World Bank recommended the scheme for study and adoption by other states for public sector mass job creation and youth engagement.

According to him, “when we came to office, we realized that the greatest challenge of our people was lack of job opportunities for the teeming youth. For this, we immediately swung into action and, in less than 100 days in office, established the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) through which we engaged 20,000 young persons, which is targeted at tackling the chronic problem of unemployment in the State.

“OYES is a programme like no other. Rather than being a white-collar or blue-collar job scheme, it was uniquely conceived and designed to, among other things, take our youths off the streets; give them an orientation about public service; and make them see the need to contribute to the development of their society.

“It is a stop-gap scheme to train the youth and imbue them with positive work orientation and ethics such as self-sustenance, resourcefulness, character and competence, and to give them the self-confidence to forge ahead and overcome life’s numerous challenges after they must have spent two years and be ready for disengagement.

“Two years after, we can now proudly say that our dream has been realised. In order to make the programme a complete success the cadets were encouraged to form co-operatives through which soft loans were guaranteed by the State Government as a start-off empowerment to facilitate the success of the volunteers in their chosen vocation or area of entrepreneurship.

[b]“We are happy to announce that this effort is already yielding positive fruits in numerous areas where about 18,000 of the cadets passing out have found permanent job placements. At the newly established Oloba Farm, OYES volunteers are engaged in cattle and ram fattening and in the broiler out-grower scheme.

“Besides, 74 of our cadets are currently undergoing training in modern agricultural practices in Leventis Foundation School, while 610 others are being tutored in the OREAP agricultural training facilities where they are already cultivating farms under a profit sharing arrangement. Similarly, another 500 are in O’dua Farmers Academy, also for training in modern farming techniques. Under a public-private partnership arrangement, 100 OYES volunteers are engaged in fish farming in Okuku and in many other fish farms. Volunteers from the scheme are also to be found in honey-bee production as part of the Government’s apiary farming development policy.

Aregbesola added that in technology, 2,100 OYES cadets have been trained by an electronics company in readiness for a factory it is setting up in the State. The training of these cadets in mobile phone and computers assembly is meant to provide after-sales support and services for these products.

The governor added that 600 volunteers are currently engaged in the production of red bricks. One hundred and seventy-three of the paramedics trained under the OYES programme have been deployed to the O-Ambulance scheme, while two others are call-tracking personnel in the State’s Ministry of Health. The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has engaged 1,501 of these cadets with teaching qualifications, who will be posted to primary schools in a short time.

“In addition to these, more than 600 of these cadets are to be trained, and subsequently engaged as call operators by the State’s Emergency Call Service operations, emergency service providers and system engineers. More than 300 of these cadets are likewise being supported to set up Farmers Input Supply Shops, which is also a Public-Private Partnership arrangement. Over 5,000 are also being prepared to provide mobile money, e-payment and allied services through various schemes”, he said.[/b]

Aregbesola recalled that when the programme was initiated, his political opponents derided it calling the scheme and the volunteers names such as street sweepers, among others.

His words, “When we set out, we only had hope and a grim determination to change our society for good. We were buffeted on every side by detractors who derided the scheme and predicted its failure within the shortest possible time. I am happy that they have been disappointed. When their prediction of failure failed, they started to fabricate lies against the scheme. They alleged we were training the cadets as political thugs to be used to rig elections. They derided the cadets in the most uncomplimentary terms, including calling them ‘agbale oja’ (street sweepers). I am most pleased however that the cadets have imbibed, like true Omoluabi, the virtues of hard-work, dignity of labour and the leadership spirit that comes with public service”.

Aregbesola declared that none of the cadets have been indicted for any criminal charges- a development he said, made him and his administration proud, assuring that they would remain the foundation of the development and revolution that have begun in the state.

“I have the record that no cadet has been indicted for criminal behaviour or wrongdoing. Like I charged you at your inauguration, you have shamed the critics. I am also assuring you that we will never leave you or forsake you. You are the foundation of the development and revolution that have begun in our State. You have done marvelously well and I am so proud of you”.

The governor however regretted 22 of the cadets who lost their lives during the scheme, describing them as the true patriots who served their state till the very end. He prayed God to comfort the their families and loved ones.

D sage: @Gbawe, though I'm not living in Osun-State, but please stop spreading a misleading information. I like ACN as a polical party but hate it when people trying to play politic in order make them look like a better side.

I learnt he(aregbesola) offloaded the 20,000 people he claimed he employed before the commencement of this current OYEs program. How are we sure he actually employed the said 20,000 youths? So, where on earth did you get your statistic from?