The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Dr. Najeem Salaam, on Monday unveiled his manifesto ahead of the August 15 gubernatorial election in the state.
During the manifesto presentation held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Osogbo, Dr. Salaam promised job creation, workers’ welfare, education, security, infrastructure & power, among others.
The manifesto is titled, “My 10 Points Development Agenda: Restoring Trust, Rebuilding Osun, Empowering the people “
The former Speaker said: “Today, I present myself before you with a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to building an Osun State that works for all. A state where workers and pensioners are valued, respected, and prioritized, because our civil servants are the silent engine of governance.
“A state where our farmers are supported and agriculture becomes a major driver of economic prosperity. A state where our youths are empowered with skills, jobs, and opportunities to thrive. A state where quality healthcare and education are accessible to every citizen.
“A state where businesses flourish and investors find Osun attractive for investment.
A state where transparency, accountability, and integrity define governance. My fellow citizens, no society can attain sustainable development without a strong economic foundation. And no economy grows without electricity.
“Electricity is the engine of development. It powers industries, drives innovation, supports businesses, strengthens healthcare delivery, improves education, and enhances the quality of life of our people.
“That is why our administration will pursue an ambitious but achievable power agenda. We believe that 24-hour power generation is possible, through strategic investments, alternative energy solutions, and effective public-private partnerships, we shall work tirelessly to provide reliable power infrastructure that will stimulate industrial growth, attract investors, and create thousands of jobs across our state.
“When there is power, industries emerge.
When industries emerge, jobs are created.
When jobs are created, families prosper.
When families prosper, communities flourish.
This is the future we envision for Osun State.”
The 10-point development agenda are below:
- Workers Welfare & Accountable Leadership
- Prompt Salary and Pension payments.
- Review of low-cost Housing/Car Loans system for Civil Servants.
- Prompt payment of Impress for smooth running of offices
- Employment of Civil Servants and Improved welfare package for workers in the State.
- Digital governance platforms • Training & Retraining of workers
- Ensuring Local Government Autonomy Compliance.
- Ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
- Agriculture
- Position Osun to be the regional food hub•Off season irrigation along riverbanks.
- Establishment of Farm Estates at the 3 senatorial districts
- Putting five Agric extension officers in each local government to assist farmers
- Establishment of farmers’ market in urban centres, and the establishment of drying and pressing plants
- Provision of 62 tractors and mechanized farming implements (two per local governments)
- Off-taking, markeng, and price guarantee of farm produce•Agro-processing hubs•Farmer financing programs and provision of farm input support
- Development of 1000 hectares Farm Estate/Settlement in the State•Resuscitaon of Ọlọba Cattle Ranch and empowerment of graduates and agriculture entrepreneurs in poultry and other animals farming.
- Security & Territorial Protection
- Community policing
- Surveillance systems
- Provision of monthly stipends to security agents in the state
- Mapping entry/exit points in border towns
- Provision of security amenies and equipment support to the state’s security formations
- Community policing and engagement of traditional rulers and youths in the security architecture
- Education
- Reintroduction of the School Feeding Program
- Free Educa on from Elementary to Secondary Education
- Bursary and scholarship awards to tertiary students
- Enhancements of inspectorate division in public schools
- Sports development in public schools
- School upgrades and Construction
- The return of calisthenics
- Annual awards for excellence in educa on
- Recruiting more teachers (where needed), regular training and retraining and improved welfare package for educa on workers.
- Review of the school syllabus and introduction of skills acquisition for self reliance and entrepreneurship at both secondary and tertiary levels
- Enhancement of Technical Education
- Digital learning systems and upgrade of ICT laboratories at our schools.
- Infrastructure & Power
- Establishment of 213 megawatts alternative power plant/system each at the 3 senatorial districts in Osun
- Rehabilitation and Construction of at least 10kilometer roads per Local Government.
- Construction of Rural access roads
- Electrification of all rural communities in Osun
- Urban Renewal and Development
- Community based infrastructure maintenance system
- Resuscitation of moribund infrastructures through public private partnership scheme (PPP)
- Provision of rural borehole system in each local government
- Judiciary: Construction of new state of the art courts and Renovation of dilapidated buildings in the judiciary.
- Evaluation and completion of the abandoned House of Assembly Members’ Quarters
- Youth Engagement, Job Creation & Social Welfare
- Re-establishment of the O-YES SCHEME with employment of 20,000 cadets in the first 100 days of the government.
- Reintroduction of Agba Ọṣun with Monthly Allowance and free medical treatment to ALL senior citizens from 70 years and above who are without pension.
- Re-establishment of OMOLUABI Youths, Boys and Girls Club for character building ins lling Omoluabi Ethos
- Special attention to the people living with disabilities and establishment of rehabilitation centres
- Introduction of apprenticeship Programme with monthly allowance and provision of tools and start-up capital upon completion of training.
- Skill acquisition programmes
- Establishment of Technology Innova on Hubs
- Start-up funding support scheme
- Resuscitation of the Osun Job Centre with focus on job creation, training, and innovation.
- Establishment of one Sport Arena at each Federal Constituency of the State.
- Health
- Revamp and upgrade of 332 primary health centres
- Free Ante-natal care for women
- Free healthcare for children from age 1-18years
- Establishment of a state-of-the-art SPECIALIST hospital with diagnostic and interventional radiology centres at the 3 senatorial districts for proper accessibility through a public private partnership model for adequate sustainability.
- The upgrade of existing state hospitals.
- Recruit health professionals
- Expand insurance coverage
- Resuscitation of the Osun Pharmaceutical Company through a public private partnership model
- Resuscitation of the O-AMBULANCE system at every local government of the state and at major federal and state roads.
- Women Empowerment & Inclusion
- Inclusion of at least 35 percent women in the government structure
- Support for women businesses
- Introduction of Women Protection policies
- N1 billion annual loan for women entrepreneurs.
- Culture, Tourism and Community Engagements
- Upgrade of tourism sites in the state
- Development of resorts and hospitality centres at the 3 senatorial districts.
- Promotion of cultural festivals
- Improvement of tourism infrastructure and sites around the state.
- Establishment of an active community sanitation systems
- Periodic town hall governance meetings and engagements
- Introduction of grassroots participation mechanism
- Investments Facilitation & SME Empowerment
- Resuscitation of the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency
- Provision of loans and grants for SMEs
- Re-introduction of broad-based cooperative enhancement system
- Business support programs
- Product off-take and marketing of Made-in-Osun products.
- Enhancement of the One-Stop-Shop to improve Ease of Doing Business in the State.
The implementation strategy for the 10-point development agenda are as follows;
“Governor’s Delivery Unit (GDU).
“Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for Commissioners and Heads of Government Agencies and Parastatals.
“Quarterly public performance reports as every MDA must justify spending, eliminate redundant agency, reduce cost of governance, digitalise processes and provide transparent procurement systems.”
Speaking during the manifesto presentation, the Chairman of Osun ADC, Alhaji Isa Adesiji, commended party members for their resilience, urging them to remain steadfast and continue to work for the success of the party at the polls.
He also assured residents of the state of the full implementation of the manifesto.
Present at the event are party stakeholders, Market men and women, youth organisations, and representatives of the Civil Society Organisations.
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
