Alhaji Ibrahim Ajia, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Asa/Ilorin-West Federal Constituency, has empowered PDP youths across his constituency.
The beneficiaries were drawn from Ajikobi, Ojuekun Zarumi, Ogidi Oloje, Alanamu, Ubandawaki and Adewole wards in Ilorin-West Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking on the sidelines of the empowerment, Ajia underscored the need to provide employment for the teeming youths in the state.
According to him, the programme is aimed at empowering the youths with various cash sums of millions of Naira to help them engage in different jobs of their choices.
He stated that this demonstrate his commitment to youth development, recalling that similar gesture was earlier made at the PDP Youth constituency in Asa local government area of the state.
He added that these are his constituencies which he hope to represent at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.
The PDP candidate stressed the need to resolve the increasing unemployment rate and youth restiveness across the country for meaningful development to take place.
He pledged to use all his resources and influence to empower youths and women in his constituency and Kwara in general, if given the mandate.
Ajia described the 33 per cent statistics of unemployment in the country as alarming, saying that it can retard the nation’s growth and development if the situation is not arrested urgently.
He noted that those afflicted by unemployment syndrome also lacked direction as to where they are going in the way and manner they are scouting for jobs.
“Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges causing insecurity in the country.
“To arrest the ugly situation, If I am voted to represent the good people of my constituency, I will as a matter of urgency, begin a process that will stimulate socioeconomic development.
“I will create access for youth entrepreneurship, where youths will discover their talents and realise their dreams,” he said.
Ajia disclosed that he will consider the use of modern technologies in the process of “Aso-Oke” with a view of opening the very sector of our economy up to global markets.
“I will also ensure that our local fabrics are being used at home to stimulate our economy and facilitate sporadic development,” he said.
He maintained that this was in line with his firm belief and advocacy for patronage of home made goods.
The PDP House of Representatives candidate also encouraged youths to venture into agriculture businesses, stating that agriculture remains the sector that is always profitable and equally accommodates large number of youths.
In his remarks at the event in Ajikobi ward, the PDP Chairman, Ilorin-West Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdulkadir Issa, commended Ajia for the initiative.
Time Nigeria reports that some of the items distributed included freezers, laptops, sewing machines, pumping machines, generators and cash.