Yayi Unveils Nine-Point Agenda, Promises Jobs, Rail, Healthcare, Industrial Growth for Ogun

By Adeyemi Obadimu

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has unveiled a nine-point development agenda and six institutional reforms aimed at transforming the state’s economy, infrastructure, security, healthcare and human capital.

Adeola unveiled the agenda on Friday while speaking during a courtesy and familiarisation visit to the Ogun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta.

The APC candidate said his administration, if elected in the 2027 governorship election, would focus on infrastructure development, tourism and creative arts, education, security, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, agriculture, industrialisation, as well as urban renewal and environmental sustainability.

He described his programme as a “covenant” with the people of Ogun State, saying journalists would have a responsibility to hold him accountable for the promises contained in the manifesto.Adeola said, “I stand before you not as a politician reciting promises, but as a son of Ogun State bringing you a covenant, a plan I intend to be held accountable to, page by page, project by project.

”The senator, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, also highlighted his legislative experience in public finance, citing his previous roles as Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriations, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts and Senate Committee on Finance.

He said his experience in public finance had equipped him with the knowledge required to manage the resources of the state effectively.On infrastructure, Adeola promised to address the state’s transportation and power challenges through the establishment of the Ogun State Bus Mass Transit Programme along major corridors, including Abeokuta-Sango-Ota-Sagamu.

He also proposed collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to introduce commuter rail services linking Abeokuta with Lagos and other industrial corridors.

The APC candidate further announced plans for an OgunRide mobility platform for cars, tricycles and motorcycles, which he said would provide participating operators with health insurance, vehicle financing and cooperative support.On employment, Adeola said his administration would train 100,000 youths in digital skills by 2031 and establish a Youth Enterprise Hub in Abeokuta within its first six months in office, with satellite hubs across the state.He said the programme would be supported with microcredit for young entrepreneurs and was designed to contribute to the creation of more than 500,000 jobs and reduce youth unemployment.

In healthcare, the APC candidate promised to expand healthcare infrastructure in underserved communities and revitalise the state’s health insurance scheme, “Ilera D’ero”, with a target of enrolling two million residents.He also pledged greater investment in doctors, nurses and community health workers.

Adeola said agriculture would be repositioned through mechanisation, farmer financing, climate-smart farming, processing hubs and agro-industrial parks designed to move farmers from subsistence production to commercially viable and export-oriented value chains.

He also proposed the establishment of a State-Supported Produce Market to improve the distribution and marketing of agricultural produce across the state.On industrialisation, the APC candidate promised to strengthen free trade zones, dry ports and economic development clusters to position Ogun as an export gateway under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He also proposed the establishment of a Solid Minerals Development Company to secure licences and develop partnerships in the state’s mineral resources sector. Adeola said the emerging oil activities around Eba Island in Ogun Waterside and exploration around Tongeji Island in Ipokia presented opportunities that required responsible management and transparent governance.

He said his administration would ensure that revenue from emerging natural resources was deployed to develop the affected coastal communities and other parts of the state.

On security, the APC candidate promised to strengthen the Ogun State Security Trust Fund, establish a Cybersecurity and Security Operations Centre and create a Residents Identity Management Agency to improve the state’s security architecture.He also promised to support women, vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities through expanded social welfare programmes, legal support and protection.

Adeola’s environmental agenda includes the revival of the Ogun State Waste Management Agency, licensing of private waste collection operators, recycling hubs, waste-to-energy projects and a Clean Ogun Initiative.He said his administration would also pursue improved water and sanitation infrastructure and work towards ending open defecation across the state by 2031.

The APC candidate identified fiscal discipline, justice sector reform, legislative reform, civil service reform, asset optimisation and local government autonomy as six key institutional reforms that would support the nine development pillars.

He promised to introduce a Single Window Revenue Collection System to integrate the state’s various tax, fee and levy collection channels, while targeting a 40 per cent increase in internally generated revenue.

Adeola also pledged to implement the minimum wage in full, improve civil servants’ welfare and training, and promote transparency and performance within the public service.On local government administration, he said his government would respect the financial autonomy of the 20 local government areas in line with the 2024 Supreme Court judgment.He said resources meant for local governments should be available to fund projects and services closer to the people.

Speaking on the media, Adeola promised to comply fully with the Freedom of Information Act and hold regular press briefings if elected.He also pledged to pay greater attention to the welfare and safety of journalists in the state, describing the media as an important partner in governance.

The APC candidate said his administration would attach measurable targets to its manifesto and require government agencies to operate with performance agreements and public reporting mechanisms.He urged journalists to scrutinise his promises and hold him accountable throughout his tenure if elected.He said, “I do not come to you asking you to believe me.

I come asking you to hold me to this manifesto, line by line, project by project.”Adeola concluded by calling on residents to support his vision of building an Ogun State where infrastructure, economic opportunities and government services would be accessible to citizens across the state.

Speaking on behalf of the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), its Chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, applauded Senator Adeola for what he described as his outstanding performance in public office.

Olanrewaju said he had not seen a senator perform as wonderfully as Adeola, describing the APC governorship candidate as “a good man” who deserves the best in his political career.

The NUJ chairman commended Adeola for his contributions to Ogun State and acknowledged his support for members of the media, expressing appreciation for the senator’s decision to visit the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre ahead of the 2027 governorship election.