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**Historic Declaration by Dr. Olamide Balikis Junaid for House of Representatives, Ibadan North

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 Yemetu Police Barracks Field, Ibadan North — Dr. Olamide Balikis Junaid has officially announced her candidacy for the House of Representatives to represent the Ibadan North Federal Constituency under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The event, which took place at the Yemetu Police Barracks Field, witnessed an extraordinary turnout that highlighted the strong support she has garnered from the community.Thousands of enthusiastic supporters, friends, and well-wishers filled the grounds, creating an electrifying atmosphere characterized by energy, belief, and unwavering solidarity. The overwhelming attendance is a testament to Dr. Junaid’s deep connection with the people, showcasing the faith they have in her vision and leadership.   “This is not just a declaration; it is the beginning of a movement,” Dr. Junaid stated during her speech. “Together, we will work towards a brighter future for our community, driven by our shared values and commitments.”The event w...
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‎Youth Unemployment in Oyo State: The Crisis and a Practical Roadmap Forward ‎ ‎A Statement by Barr. Akeem Agbaje ‎APC Chieftain and 2027 Oyo State Gubernatorial Aspirant ‎ ‎As a father, lawyer, and dedicated APC leader, I have heard the deep frustrations of Oyo State’s youth, from the streets of Ibadan to the communities of Oke-Ogun to Oyo, Ibarapa and Ogbomoso. Youth unemployment is not just a statistic; it is a human emergency that wastes talent, fuels insecurity, drives migration, and endangers our state’s future. Our young people represent our greatest asset, and we must act decisively. ‎ ‎The Current Situation ‎Nigeria has one of the world’s youngest populations, and Oyo State, with its many tertiary institutions, produces thousands of graduates annually. Yet the economy struggles to absorb them into quality jobs. ‎ ‎While the National Bureau of Statistics reports a national youth unemployment rate (ages 15–24) of 6.5% in Q2 2024, this headline figure masks a harsher reality. Independent assessments, including the State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025, indicate that nearly 80 million Nigerian youths are unemployed or severely underemployed, with over 1.7 million graduates entering the labour market yearly. ‎ ‎In Oyo State, the challenges are acute: ‎ ‎ ‎- Skills mismatch — Many graduates lack competencies demanded by industry, technology, agriculture, and services. ‎ ‎- Infrastructure gaps — Unreliable power, poor roads, and limited digital access hinder business growth. ‎ ‎- Limited capital and mentorship — Promising ideas rarely scale due to lack of funding and support. ‎ ‎- Over-reliance on formal/government jobs — This sidelines viable opportunities in agribusiness, creative industries, and vocational trades. ‎ ‎The result is widespread underemployment, poverty, restiveness, crime, and brain-drain. If unaddressed, this crisis will undermine food security, peace, and all-round development. ‎ ‎Practical Solutions: My Commitment ‎ ‎Youth unemployment is solvable with bold, focused, and inclusive policies. If elected in 2027, my administration will prioritise it as an emergency, working with the federal APC government, private sector, and development partners. ‎ ‎1. Education for Employability ‎ ‎ ‎Reform curricula to embed digital literacy, entrepreneurship, coding, and practical skills. Establish innovation and vocational hubs across zones, ensuring every graduate leaves with market-ready competencies and certifications. ‎ ‎2. Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem ‎ ‎ Launch an Oyo Youth Enterprise Fund with low-interest loans, grants, and equity via public-private partnerships. Create incubation centres offering mentorship, legal support, and market access, targeting 50,000 new youth-led businesses in the first term, with special focus on women and persons with disabilities. ‎ ‎3. Modernising Agriculture for Youth ‎ ‎Reposition farming as a profitable career through climate-smart technology, irrigation, processing facilities, land access, inputs, and guaranteed markets. Youth agripreneurs will drive food security and exports. ‎ ‎4. Power and Infrastructure for Job Creation ‎ ‎Deliver reliable electricity within the first eight months through renewables and private investment. This will unlock SMEs, cold chains, and digital services that generate thousands of jobs. ‎ ‎5. Digital and Creative Economy Push ‎ ‎ Invest in broadband, digital skills academies, and incentives for fintech, e-commerce, film, music, and animation. Public works programmes will engage youth while building transferable skills. ‎ ‎6. Youth Inclusion in Governance ‎ ‎ Establish a functional Youth Advisory Council, ensure significant youth representation in appointments, and hold regular town-hall meetings. Transparency in all youth programmes will be mandatory. ‎ ‎These commitments are realistic, fiscally responsible, and grounded in collaboration. Oyo has the land, the talent, and the will, we need leadership to unlock them. ‎ ‎To the youths of Oyo: Your anger is understandable, but your potential is boundless. Partner with us to build a state where dignity, prosperity, and purpose are within reach. ‎ ‎To parents and stakeholders: This is a shared challenge whose solution will be our collective victory. ‎ ‎Together, we can make Oyo a shining model of youth-led progress in Nigeria. I am ready to lead this transformation in 2027. ‎

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As a father, lawyer, and dedicated APC leader, I have heard the deep frustrations of Oyo State’s youth, from the streets of Ibadan to the communities of Oke-Ogun to Oyo, Ibarapa and Ogbomoso. Youth unemployment is not just a statistic; it is a human emergency that wastes talent, fuels insecurity, drives migration, and endangers our state’s future. Our young people represent our greatest asset, and we must act decisively. ‎ ‎The Current Situation ‎Nigeria has one of the world’s youngest populations, and Oyo State, with its many tertiary institutions, produces thousands of graduates annually. Yet the economy struggles to absorb them into quality jobs. ‎ ‎While the National Bureau of Statistics reports a national youth unemployment rate (ages 15–24) of 6.5% in Q2 2024, this headline figure masks a harsher reality. Independent assessments, including the State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025, indicate that nearly 80 million Nigerian youths are unemployed or severely underemployed, with ov...
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OYO APC AND THE NEED FOR A TECHNOCRAT AS THE FLAGBEARER.

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 The growing demand for effective governance in Nigeria has continued to reshape political conversations across states, and nowhere is this more relevant than in Oyo State. As citizens become more development-focused, there is an increasing argument that political parties—especially the APC—must begin to prioritize competence, technical capacity, and proven administrative experience over the traditional cycle of “season politicians.” A useful reference point is the governance model of Lagos. Over the years, Lagos has demonstrated how technocratic leadership, particularly in areas of urban planning, finance, infrastructure, and public service delivery, can transform a complex state into a functional economic hub. The consistent emphasis on administrators with strong private and public sector experience has helped Lagos maintain relative stability in policy direction, revenue generation, and infrastructure development regardless of political transitions. This Lagos experience offers ...
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Barr Akeem Agbaje Celebrates Her Excellency, Dr Florence Ajimobi, Applauds Grace, Strength, and impact

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 ‎Barr. Akeem Adedeji Agbaje, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 2027 gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, has extended warm felicitations to Amb (Dr.) Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Austria, on the occasion of her birthday, describing her as a distinguished matriarch and an embodiment of grace, strength, and enduring influence. ‎ ‎In a congratulatory message, Barr Akeem Agbaje celebrated Her Excellency's remarkable contributions to public service, diplomacy, and community development, noting that her life has remained a shining example of commitment to excellence and service to humanity. ‎ ‎He acknowledged her role as a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration to many, particularly for her resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication to causes that uplift people and promote societal progress. ‎ ‎“Her Excellency is a distinguished matriarch of exceptional character whose life embodies dignity, service, and purpose. Her contributions, b...
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