The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, has vowed to attract Federal Government presence to both the urban and agrarian semi-urban areas in his Senatorial District.
Alli, a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, who stated this in Ibadan, on Friday, while featuring on the Guest Platform, organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, promised to support local government autonomy when elected.
He asserted that local government administration, under the PDP government in the state, was not functional as it existed only on paper and could not execute projects on its own.
He affirmed that development could only happen if there was a viable, efficient and functional local government administration.
Alli, a former Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government Area, argued that the local government administration in the state functioned better under former governors Lam Adesina, Rasidi Ladoja, Adebayo Alao-Akala and Abiola Ajimobi.
He said presently, the local governments are dead and just existing by number.
“The primary healthcare centres are not functioning in the state, despite the fact that certain amount of money is budgeted for primary healthcare.
“People are now taking malaria, something that should be treated at the Primary Healthcare Centres, to the University College Hospital (UCH) because local governments are not functioning,” Alli lamented.
Speaking on his programmes, the APC Senatorial Candidate suggested more entrepreneurship trainings as the Federal Government cannot absorb all the graduates on the streets.
He encouraged youths to engage in additional skills apart from their formal education.
He stated: “This starts immediately they enter higher institution. I’m happy some universities are now trying to introduce entrepreneurship training into their curriculum. We are going to get support from the Federal Government to ensure that we assist such people either by way of grant or loan.”
Alli called on youths to be involved in sports and entertainment to grow the economy of the senatorial district.
Super stars
He also encouraged scouts to take young footballers for trials so they can become super stars.
He said successful youths could seek the support of government to go into music and other forms of entertainment.
On empowerment, he vowed that he would feel the pulse of people and ensure they are empowered with what they need.
Alli pledged to support and represent the people well when he gets to the National Assembly, saying he would do better, as he lives among the people and knows their needs.
Lateefah Ibrahim
