By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, Kadijat Kareem over the weekend visited various Federal Government abandoned projects across Ibadan, the Oyo State capital city.
Some of the projects sites visited include abandoned Youth development center located at Adehun Onlila along muslim road, Oluyole local government. The project was facilitated by a federal lawmaker but was abandoned after he lost his bid to return to the house of representatives.
Another is: FG National Primary health care centre, Ire Akari, Inalende, Ibadan North local government area which as facilitated by Hon. Waheed Gbede in 2010 but has not worked since completion, with the building already practically dilapidated
Others include: Federal maternity centre, Ifelodun/ Ogundeyi LCDA, in Oluyole local government area, facilitated by Hon.Samson Olugbemi about eight years ago when he was a member of house of representatives. It was gathered that the facility is the only maternity centre in the area as the community yearns for the federal government’s intervention for its completion.
Kareem while speaking with newsmen after the tour of the facilities promised to properly brief relevant agencies of government, assuring that the federal government will intervene to bring the projects into fruition.
Prior to the inspection, the President’s aide had collated the lists of the various projects during a Town hall meeting with critical stakeholders in the state, which held earlier in the day at Koltol Hotel, Ikolaba, Ibadan
Some of the critical stakeholders in attendance at the town hall meeting include religious leaders, civil society organisations, community development Associations, National Youth Council of Nigeria, security agencies, community leaders, traditional rulers, student bodies, professional groups, trade unions amongst others.
Speaking earlier at the town hall meeting, the President’s aide assured the gathering that she would convey their messages, particularly about their plights and demands to President Tinubu, with assurance that immediate actions would be taken.
She also promised to return to the state with a massive empowerment program that would be in response to the yearnings and requests raised from the engagement.
She said she was in the state on the orders of the President for her to visit all the states of the country to have a first hand knowledge of abandoned projects scattered across the country, with a view to resolving all issues that might have led to the situation and justify public funds committed to such project by initiating the right intervention that would lead to their completion.
She said “Please for God’s sake, let’s join hands together to bring back Renewed Hope that Mr President is agitating for.
“Let’s run this government together, we cannot do it alone, we also need your support, we need your prayers and also encourage your children, brother, sisters. If there is any opportunity, go online and register The Minister of Youth is working tirelessly there is a portal he open for youths vulnerable.”
“Mr President goals is to create a brighter future for the good people of this state, where every citizen has access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
“Mr President also recognizes the unique challenges facing the state, from infrastructure development to economic empowerment. To achieve this vision, we will work closely with local stakeholders, community leaders, and civil society organizations.”
She seized the opportunity to appeal to youths in the region to take advantage of the Federal Government’s students loan, noting that the turnout for the loan in the region is poor compared to other regions.
Kareem emphasized that the loan is easily accessible, requiring only a letter of admission.
“The turn out of Federal Government students loan in Southwest is very poor compared with other regions. They are benefitting, they are putting it in. So, let me appeal to our youths, students, and also our governors, leaders and other stakeholders to encourage these youths so that they can benefit maximally.
“Our fathers, our mothers, brothers, our sisters, go back home and encourage our youths. Other regions are benefitting from this loan. This is students loan that doesn’t require any equilateral. It’s just letter of your admission.”
In her remarks, the Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke commended the President for seeing the need to intervene in abandoned projects.
She said Governor Seyi Makinde has always supported youths, saying a lot of projects that directly benefit youths have been executed since his administration came on board.
Stakeholders who spoke called attention to various projects which have been left uncompleted in their various communities before the coming of the Tinubu’s administration.
In her remarks, the Amirat, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Dr Latifat Dairo lamented the dilapidated condition of the Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso road, calling on the government to address the issue and avert the frequent deaths on the road.
She also said urged the FG to give quick attention to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan saying the facility is fast becoming obsolete due to lack of basic amenities such as water, power and medical personnel.
Also speaking, the Director General, World Islamic Peace Foundation, Sheikh Busari Salaudeen said topmost of his concern is to appeal to the President to see what he can do bring the price of Petroleum and make it affordable for all Nigerians.
He also called the government attention to the neglected comprehensive health centre located around Ifelodun- Ogundeyi community along Olomi-Olunde road which has been abandoned by three successive administrations.
Other speakers also appeal to government on extending the rail line to other parts of the country and directing tanker drivers to using rail to avoid explosions that have claimed several lives in recent times.
