Oyebamiji promises youths jobs, sports development if elected
By Ismail Azeez
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has promised to prioritize sports development, youth entrepreneurship, and job creation if elected governor on August 15, 2026.
Oyebamiji made the pledge during the Osun Youths Interactive Session in Osogbo, where young people from various sectors including students, professionals, civil society organisations, artisans, community groups, and other youth clusters engaged him on his vision for the state.
The interactive session, organised by the Directorate of Youth, Students, and Civil Society of the Osun All Progressives Congress Campaign Council, was designed as a platform for young people to understand the candidate’s PROSPERITY Agenda and engage directly on issues affecting their future.
Speaking specifically on sports, the APC candidate stated that the sector remains one of his major interests, promising to make its development a priority under his administration.
He disclosed that he recently initiated discussions with serving and prospective governors in the Southwest on the possibility of establishing a regional sports club jointly funded by the states.
According to him, the initiative was informed by the high financial demands of modern sports development, which individual states might struggle to meet alone.
“I see that no single state whether Osun, Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, or Ekiti can invest in sports development adequately on its own. But we can synergise. We can sit down together, discuss it, think of a solution, and establish a single club in the Southwest.”
“Most times, when I go through my CV, I discover that 90 per cent of what I have achieved to date, I achieved when I was a youth like you. That is why I don’t take young people for granted.”
“Do not be afraid. As an individual, I know your challenges and I know the solutions to them. Under my leadership, Osun will experience a new era. We will work for you and make you happy,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Directorate of Youth, Students, and Civil Society, Hon. Ayodele David Asalu (Asler), described the gathering as more than a political meeting, noting that it was designed as an open conversation between the candidate and young people across different backgrounds.
Asalu emphasized that the future of Osun State requires young people to be active participants in governance rather than merely being mobilised during elections.
He stressed that issues such as education, employment, skills development, entrepreneurship, technology, the creative economy, and youth participation in government remain central to young people’s concerns.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Kehinde Ayantunji, while discussing the expectations of the interactive session, said the current administration in the state has destroyed sports infrastructure and achieved little to nothing regarding youth development.
According to him, for almost four years, the state has lacked a basic football pitch to host a local league match, while virtuous youth values have been replaced with brigandage and thuggery, making the youth population less productive.