This brings me to the two questions I will answer in today’s newsletter.
The first comes from Idayat, whose question is regarding what the Oyo State Government is doing about employment. Well, yesterday, we announced the highest number of recruitments in one swoop under any government in Oyo State. 14,500 teachers are being recruited. We are also recruiting about 3,300 health workers. But the fact remains that there are only so many direct jobs that the government can create. The entire civil service in Oyo State is just a tiny fraction of the Oyo State working population. Our primary responsibility is to continue to focus on creating an environment that will allow the private sector to thrive and create employment.
That is why over 22% of our budget is for infrastructure. The more infrastructure we build, especially roads, the more economic development we have. As we always say, where roads go, development follows. So, Idayat, we will continue to prioritise job creation and support skills development in Oyo State to help bridge the unemployment gap. I also wish you the best in your job search.
The second question is from Clement. His question touches on a subject close to my heart. He asks if the Oyo State Government plans to create more/new industrial estates within Ibadan metropolis. The answer is quite obvious. We have been talking about the Ilutuntun Business District in Akinyele Local Government Area- a modern take on Dugbe. That area is developing rapidly, with the train station and the 65 km Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road. We are also looking forward to an agro-industrial processing hub in that area. By God’s grace, when that project is completed, it will really open the area up more.
Clement also asked for an update on the Ikere Gorge Dam. Well, the first thing we are doing out there is getting the road fixed. We have already advertised the road for contract bidding under the World Bank-assisted Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). Once the process is complete, the road will be constructed, and then investors will come in to actualise that project. We really cannot do anything about the dam without the road access.
In conclusion, economically, we are looking forward to better times in 2025. We just have to keep pushing and making the right decisions in the overall interest of our people and nation.
On that note, I want to remind you that Ondo State is a litmus test for Nigerians to show that their hunger and anger can produce real change. Tell everyone you know that the PDP is the party that can really rescue Nigeria.
Talk to you again soon.
