Oyo State
Government, under the leadership of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has taken a step
to redeem its pledge to bring back a stronger and more re-invigorated Youth
Empowerment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O) to the people, to serve as a stop gap
for the teeming unemployed youths.
A screening
exercise for the shortlisted candidates for YES-O was held from February 3rd to
7th at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Special
Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, who issued a statement,
said the exercise was part of government's efforts at reconstituting the
scheme, which was inaugurated on December 1, 2011.
The
governor, who dissolved the scheme on October 2013, attributed it to the need
for the state government's drive and quest to re-invigorate it for optimum
performance.
It was the
turn of candidates from Irepo, Orelope, Ologunsogo, Ori-Ire, Ogbomoso South,
Ogbomoso North and Ogo Oluwa council areas on Wednesday, while the screening
was conducted for those from Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Kajola,
Iwajowa and Surulere on Thursday.
The
screening was concluded with the candidates from Ibarapa North, Ibarapa South
and Ibarapa Central being screened while those from Lagelu, Atiba, Oyo West and
Oyo East local government areas will be screened later.
Ibadan
indigenes at home and in the diaspora gathered recently for a fundraising to
build a befitting official palace for the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The event,
which took place at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, was attended
by prominent Ibadan indigenes from Ibadan.
Over N250 million was raised for the new
palace project, which is billed to have a living area for the monarch, a royal
guest house, a ceremonial pavilion, a reception block, festivities ground, car
parks, a palace transport pool, a power house, a police post, fire station, a
wood land, an existing Ibadan House and a market.
The chief
launcher, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, began the fundraising with a donation of
N50 million, while Governor Ajimobi followed suit with a donation of N25
million on behalf of the state government and another N20 million on behalf of
himself.
The chairman
of the occasion, Chief Bode Amoo, also
donated N25 million, while the Olubadan-in-Council, all the 11 councils in
Ibadanland and the 11 traditional councils in the city donated N20 million, N55
million and N11 million.
Senator
Olufemi Lanlehin also donated N5 million, while former governor Omololu
Olunloyo contributed N1 million, Ambassador Olusola Saanu, N1 million, the
Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), N10 million and members of the
House of Assembly, N10 million.
Governor
Ajimobi described the occasion as a landmark in the annals of not only
Ibadanland, but also Oyo State and the South-West in general, stressing that a
befitting palace for the Olubadan was a thing of pride to all Yoruba sons and
daughters because Oyo State was the political and intellectual capital of the
South-West.
He said his
desire to facilitate the endowment fund for the construction of a befitting
palace for the Olubadan was a quest to make Ibadan fulfill the requirements of
modernity.
``Government's
struggle to make the landscape of Ibadan conform with what is obtainable in
modern cities can only be complete with a modern palace for the Olubadan,''
Ajimobi said.
The governor
expressed his administration's commitment to the welfare and improved standard
of living of traditional rulers, adding: `We will always ensure that the
institution occupies its pride of place in this dispensation, which is noted
for respect and honour for traditional institutions.
Describing
chieftaincy institution as a source of political stability, administrative
convenience and veritable haven of r cultural heritage, Ajimobi said it should
never be allowed to be enmeshed in unnecessary controversy or instability.
He said
government would not hesitate to remove any threat, real or perceived, which
might affect the peace and tranquility enjoyed by traditional institutions.
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