Kunle ADELABU
APC State Vice Chairman, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya (middle) in group photograph with the representatives of the youths after the parley
Youths in the six Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, under the aegis of Ikorodu Division Youths Movement (IDYM), are demanding for consideration for political appointments in the administration of the incoming governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The youths are also demanding that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the division should facilitate promotion for those of them in the service of the Lagos State Government.
They made the demands at a parley with the State Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, at his country home at Owode, Ibeshe, in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, on Saturday, March 23, 2019.
Comrade Samson Bisiriyu, the Convener/Executive Director, IDYM, who led other representatives of the youths group to the parley, congratulated the APC State Vice Chairman on the victory of his party in the recently concluded polls.
He also expressed confidence in the capacity of those elected on the platform of the party to ensure the development of the division in the next dispensation.
“We believe that those that have been elected on the platform of your party have the capacity to bring the dividends of democracy to the teeming populace and also bring a better focus and come up with better strategies that can make things work for the citizenry”.
He listed some of the practical ways that the youths group have impacted on the populace while also emphasizing the importance of youths in the socio-political and economic arrangements of any community.
“As a youth movement in Ikorodu division committed to the clamour for youth inclusiveness in governance, we have organised few events including the successful mobilization for voters registration and collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) in Ikorodu Division, 1st Ikorodu Division Legislative Public Debate in the just concluded general elections and 1st Ikorodu Division Youth Summit among other programmes.
“We believe that the place of the youths in the positions of responsibility and posterity cannot be overemphasized and this brings to mind the popular saying that “today’s youths are tomorrow’s leaders” .
Comrade Bisiriyu, therefore, on behalf of the youths in Ikorodu, demanded that the youths should be considered for political appointments in the next dispensation.
“We implore you to ensure that the place of qualified and competent youths in governance is not jettisoned as arrangements are already in top gear to compose the cabinet members for the next administration in the state .
“Such a move will breed a group of dynamic, well informed and tutored youths who will effortlessly take up the mantle and challenges of leadership and prevent the dearth of proven and capable hands in leadership positions”.
He also urged the leadership of APC to ensure that those elected on the platform of the party implement the manifestoes of the party.
“We also humbly implore the leadership of your party to ensure that the breathtaking manifesto of the party and all its promises to us are not neglected as we trust in the leadership abilities of those elected on the party’s platform.
Seun Elesho, while also contributing, stated that Ikorodu should take advantage of her improved performance in the number of votes given to APC in the last general elections and demand for more political appointments.
While also emphasizing that youths that are playing significant roles in the social and economic development of the division should be considered when selecting candidates for political appointments , Elesho appealed to the political leaders not to neglect Ikorodu people in the civil service.
He disclosed that there are many Ikorodu sons and daughters in the service that are qualified for promotion.
Elesho also urged the political leaders to pay more attention to the engagement of Ikorodu sons and daughters in the civil service.
While condemning the disparaging of political leaders by the youths on what he termed as falsehood, Asipa Kaoli cautioned them to always meet with the leaders for clarification on any issue.
The APC Chieftain stated that his passion for Ikorodu has always dictates his decisions as a lecturer, commission member, commissioner and now as a party leader.
“It was my passion for Ikorodu that made me stayed back here when I could have lived in Ikoyi when I was a Commissioner.
“The same passion informed my efforts in bringing important agriculture facilities to Ikorodu division when I was the Commissioner for Agriculture. The governor always referred to me then as being too parochial when it comes to Ikorodu matter and I was proud of that.
Asipa Olusanya explained that his desire to have a school of international standard that will deliver qualitative education also led him to established Kith and Kin Schools in Ikorodu.
“It was my passion and commitment to the development of Ikorodu that made late Oba Oyefusi detected me and bestowed a traditional chieftaincy title on me. I was away in abroad when I was informed about the chieftaincy title and I returned home to find out about it . I was very close to the late Kabiyesi throughout his reign.
“The same thing brought me close to the current Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Shotobi. It was the passion for the development of Ikorodu that made some of us to be giving him the needed support and we can all see the result today”.
He added that he is proud that many people he assisted to get employment into the state’s civil service when he was in the commission are all doing fine.
While challenging the youths representatives , Asipa Olusanya urged them to allow their passion and commitment to the development of Ikorodu be the ultimate in their agenda.
While explaining the decision of the Ikorodu APC apex leaders to call on those interested in political appointments to submit their curriculum vitaes (CVs), Asipa Olusanya also asked any of the youths interested in political appointments to submit his or her CV. He, however, cautioned that the final recommendations for those that show interest would be based on merit and competence.
Reacting to Seun Elesho’s demand that Ikorodu political leaders should assist Ikorodu indigenes that deserve promotion in the state’s civil service , Asipa Olusanya revealed that they already have a comprehensive list of Ikorodu sons and daughters that are qualified for directorship and permanent secretaryship positions.
“We are not only focusing on pushing for political appointments for sons and daughters of Ikorodu, we are also mindful of those in the service too.
“We have been following them and we have also been updating our list. You can be rest assured that we are going to make case for them. We have qualified and capable hands”.
He also challenged members of the Ikorodu Division Youths Movement who are in the state’s civil service and have attained the level under consideration to submit their CVs for consideration.
