At Arise News Town Hall, Osun ADC Candidate, Salaam, Promises to Restore Awo’s Progressive Legacy, Create 20,000 Jobs In 100 Days, 24-Hour Electricity

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Osun State governorship election, Dr. Najeem Salaam, on Tuesday promised to restore Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive legacy and create jobs for 20,000 youths if elected.
He also promised that his administration would provide 24-hour electricity across the state.
Speaking at the Arise News Town Hall organised ahead of August 15 governorship election, Salaam said he was contesting to build on the achievements of past governors of the state.
The candidate, while outlining his plans for the development of Osun State, said his administration would address areas he described as lacking under previous administrations.
He said, “as a political scientist, I will give Osun people the government they want and what they deserve to correct what they are lacking as people.”
According to him, ” to create 20,000 jobs, provision of 24 hours Electricity across the state, 1 billion support for women for empowerment would not be difficult based on government proactive actions”.
He stressed that the Electricity Act, which enables states to provide energy for their people, as done in some states, would be implemented without interruption.

Education and Healthcare
Speaking on education, Salaam noted that “from the primary to the secondary school for our children will be free and we will also ensure that we have a committee that will review the tuition fees in our higher institutions with a plan to bring it down. “
“Children from age 1 to 18 will have access to free medical treatment in a well-equipped government hospital. Our pregnant women will have free treatment. Our elders and widows will be taken care of,” Salam said.
Recalling programmes introduced during his administration between 2010 and 2018, which he said were designed to put people first, Salam said the ADC governorship candidate would bring back all laudable programmes if elected.
He added that the ADC would reintroduce school feeding across public primary schools and expand other social intervention schemes abandoned by successive governments.
“We invested in healthcare, social welfare, and emergency response systems like O-AMBULANCE. We introduced O’YES for youth empowerment, O’MEALS for school feeding, and O’REAP for agriculture. These and many more laudable programmes will be back under Iwaloye,” he said.
He stressed that good governance should be a continuum and that beneficial programmes must not be discarded because of political differences.

Infrastructure and Youth Employment
On infrastructure, Salaam said rural roads were more than concrete and asphalt because they connect farmers to markets, children to schools and communities to opportunities.
He promised that an ADC government would prioritise rural electrification, mechanised agriculture and innovation hubs to drive jobs and productivity.
According to him, Salam’s agenda includes re-establishing O’YES to employ 20,000 youths, reviving the O’MEALS school feeding programme, expanding mechanised agriculture, and investing in rural infrastructure and technology.
“This election is about the future of Osun. Quality education, youth opportunities, farmer prosperity and a government that truly serves the people,” Aregbesola said.
Salam said all sectors would be improved upon, warning that the party would not allow any form of rigging in the election.
While speaking on his mission and vision, he said, “Education from the primary to the secondary school for our children will be free and we will also ensure that we have a committee that will review the tuition fees in our higher institutions with a plan to bring it down.
“Children from age 1 to 18 will have access to free medical treatment in a well-equipped government hospital. Our pregnant women will have free treatment. Our elders and widows will be taken care of,” Salaam said.

Agriculture
Speaking on agricultural development, Salam described agriculture as the only way to improve the state’s economy, saying farmers would be encouraged with the necessary farm tools and support to succeed.
He said farm settlements would be encouraged, while the needed social amenities would be provided to create better opportunities for farmers to market their products.
Salam noted, ” I know what the farmers needs and my government will provide it to improve their business.

State Police and Security
Speaking on state police, Salaam said that if given the mandate, community policing would be introduced through the collective efforts of traditional rulers and opinion leaders to complement the state police.
On the issue of federal might, Salaam said despite federal might, “I believe God will do it because ADC is the only party that has coordinated her self in a peaceful manner.”
He stressed, “APC, Accord are already in crisis, if anyone of them wins they will continue in war, election is not a war, craying guns and dangerous weapons should not be our priorities by now. But ADC is the only party that can change the ugly development.”