The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke, has decried the number of out-of-school children in the state and the South-West region.
In his address during the inauguration of his campaign council in Ibadan, the state capital, yesterday, he described the situation as worrisome.
It was gathered that a recent report indicated that Oyo State had the highest number of out-of-school children in Southwestern Nigeria.
The report indicated that about 674,324 children between the ages of three and 17 who are supposed to be in school were currently out of school.
He decried the situation, noting that the problem exists despite the huge federal allocation the state currently receives.
“Local government autonomy is a vital tool in grassroots human development and economic growth,” he declared.
Adegoke raised concerns about the number of out–of–school children in the state, promising targeted interventions to ensure that school-age children have access to quality and affordable education.
Adegoke pointed out that his government would seek private-sector investment in the power sector, boost agricultural production and create employment opportunities for young people across the state.
He charged members of the campaign council to take the ADC’s message of solutions, accountability, inclusive development and grassroots empowerment to the people across the state’s 33 local government areas.
‘’This will be done by granting local councils greater autonomy and ensuring that grassroots institutions are empowered to deliver meaningful development in Oyo State.
” If allowed to serve Oyo State as governor, the local government will have full autonomy. I will boost agriculture and bring in investors to provide electricity for the people of the state and ensure employment opportunities for the youths,” he said.
He stressed that the ADC administration under his leadership will revive Oyo State by placing great priority on agriculture, power, job creation, and, most importantly, local government autonomy.
At the inauguration held at the Adegoke’s campaign office in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Adebayo Olusola Kesh was appointed Director-General of the campaign council to coordinate mobilisation, strategic engagement, media activities and grassroots outreach across the state.
