Sacking 20,000 youths without replacement dangerous, group tells Adeleke

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

Indigenes of Osun State in the United Kingdom have expressed worry over the lack of adequate attention to the welfare of youths by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The group noted that the exodus of youths to the neighbouring states had shown that the administration had been making empty promises to the youths since inception.

A statement by the Co-ordinator, Osun People Living in the United Kingdom, Tunmise Ajiboye, made available to our correspondent in Osogbo, on Sunday, said, “Over two years into the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, we realize that the government is making empty promises to the youths in the state. We have carefully observed the exodus of youths from the state to neighbouring states like Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos.

“It is now looking scary as many youths who are into small-scale businesses are now leaving the state because the current government does not have an engaging programme for them.

“Many of these youths in Osun State are left without choice as the government of the state does not deem it fit to patronize their business, unlike the previous governments. During the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola, he patronized youths in agriculture, clothing, and many more but it is otherwise today.

“The peak of the neglect is the sacking of 20,000 youths from the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, teaching jobs among others by the current administration without replacement for over two years now.

“This is dangerous and their idleness may threaten the peace that we are enjoying in Osun State because an idle hand is the devil’s workshop.

“We want to urge His Excellency, Ademola Adeleke to look into the youth engagement sector and prioritize their welfare, it will go a long way to address issues related to restiveness that may surge social vices in the state,” the group said.