The Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has hosted Engr. Oluremi Omowaye, Head of Media for the All Progressives Congress Governorship Candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, at its Guest Platform in Osogbo.
Welcoming the guest, NUJ Osun Chairman, Dr. Adeyemi Aboderin, reemphasized the need for the media to be adequately informed on the action plans of political actors in the state. He said this would enable effective information to the public ahead of the August 15 governorship elections in the state.
Speaking at the forum, Omowaye outlined the key focus areas of the APC candidate, which he said include infrastructure, education, agriculture, health, tourism, industrialization and electricity.
On infrastructure, he noted that the Olaiya flyover constructed during former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s tenure by a World Bank contractor remains the most effective in the state. He faulted the flyovers at Oke Fia and Lameco built by the present administration, describing them as substandard and unnecessary.
“The flyovers built by the present administration were done by a contractor I can describe as estate agents. The ones at Oke Fia and Lameco were unnecessary,” he said.
He said education is one of the major projects of the APC candidate. Omowaye challenged the proposed N130 billion airport project by the Adeleke administration, arguing that the same amount could cater for schools across the state.
“If the fund were split into N50 million each, it would conveniently take care of 2,600 schools in Osun, which as a whole, we do not even have that number of schools,” he said.
On agriculture, he said the candidate, being a farmer himself, will prioritize agricultural development. He also listed health and tourism as key agenda items, noting that tourism holds great potential for the state. Other areas he mentioned include industrialization.
Speaking on electricity, Omowaye disclosed that the “Light Up Osun” project had already started and was being handled by the candidate. He said the project would take off by the weekend.
He recalled that when Oyebamiji served as Commissioner for Finance in the Oyetola administration, state finances were managed smoothly with arrears paid and no borrowing for four years.
Omowaye assured that some quick wins under an APC government would include the reinstatement of the 66 sacked staff of Osun Broadcasting Corporation, as well as medical doctors and teachers, and the recruitment of more personnel.
He affirmed that the candidate, popularly called AMBO, remains committed to peaceful politics.
“He has maintained that there will be no violence as he insists ‘I will not march on the blood of anyone to government house,’” Omowaye said.
