The Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, Hon Gbenga Opaleye, has assured youths in his Local Government that he is working zealously to empower them by ensuring that they are gainfully employed at the soonest possible time.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with CEOAfrica on its online television programme “Community Today”, Hon Opaleye noted that his major concern is to ensure that the youths in his community are gainfully employed, adding that his three-point agenda as a Caretaker Chairman are in the areas of Security, Youth Empowerment and Health Development.

Explaining how he intends to engage the youths, the Caretaker Chairman explained that since he resumed office as the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, he has embarked on official visits with industries and organisations in his community to reach an agreement on employing youths.

He said “When I became the Caretaker Chairman, I visited all the industries in my community. On that visit, I reached an agreement with them to employ my youths, especially those with a little bit of formal education. I had their resumes sent to the organisations and I can assure you that by the end of this month, something positive will come up.”

The Chairman noted that his local government is working hard to generate its own revenue through various means including through taxes received from transportation services in his local government. He noted that with the internally generated revenue of his local government and the revenue gotten from the federal and state governments, he will be able to clear the outstanding salaries of workers in his local government.

The Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, Hon Gbenga Opaleye speaking during the Interview

Hon Opaleye further explained that his motivation for venturing into politics was because of the desire to provide proper basic amenities for his people. He noted rather than pointing accusing fingers at the government for its neglect, he decided to venture into politics to effect the needed change in his community.

“A few years ago, the people in my community lacked basic infrastructural facilities and suffered from insecurity, but instead of condemning the government, I decided to join politics in order to help and rescue my people. My mission is to provide security and empower youths in my community because security and youth empowerment are the bedrocks of a thriving society,” he said.

When asked if he will be contesting for the Chairmanship position should local government elections be conducted in the state, Hon Opaleye assured that he is ready to contest and expressed confidence that he will win such elections because his people are there to support his bid to serve them.

He said “Of course I will contest if there is a local government in the state and I am certain that I will win the election. My passion to help my people burns strong and I am committed to serving them in whatever capacity I can. I am also sure that I have the support of my people at every time.”

Speaking about his future political ambition, Hon Opaleye revealed that he aspires to be the Governor of Oyo state. He said “My mother – although she is late now – used to tell me that I will one day rule this state and I believe her. My interest in wanting to be the Governor of Oyo state is because of my heartfelt desire to serve my people and I am sure that I will attain that position very soon.”

The Chairman further revealed to CEOAfrica that aside from politics, he has a strong and unwavering passion for boxing. Making reference to great boxers like Anthony Joshua and the likes, Hon Opaleye noted that he is currently involved in mentoring and training some youths in his community who are interested in the sport. He stated that rather than have them idle, it is better to engage them in sporting activities like boxing which can in the long run serve as a means of livelihood to them.

Hon Opaleye encouraged youths to believe in themselves and work hard in order to achieve their dreams. He also took the opportunity to admonish Nigerian youths in diaspora to return to the country to help grow and develop it.