…Promises New Era for Youths, 40 Roads in First 100 Days Across Four LGs
The Oyo State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke (FCA), has promised to end prolonged delays in the payment of gratuities and enrolment of retired civil servants into the state’s pension scheme if elected governor in 2027.
Adegoke, who also unveiled an empowerment agenda for youths, farmers and other residents at the grassroots, said his administration would prioritise reforms designed to make retirement less traumatic for workers who have spent their productive years in public service.
He made the promises on Monday while addressing residents, party leaders and supporters in Oyo East, Oyo West, Atiba and Afijio Local Government Areas during his ongoing thank-you visits across the state.
The ADC candidate expressed concern over the prolonged period some retired civil servants reportedly spend waiting for their gratuities and commencement of pension payments.
He described the situation as unacceptable and promised to introduce a system under which preparations for retirement benefits would begin well before a worker leaves the service.
“It is sad that retired civil servants often wait for seven to ten years before they receive their gratuities and several months before they are enrolled for pension. We will change all that.
“Before retirement, the process for gratuities would have started so that they can immediately benefit upon retirement. Also, a few months to retirement, the process for placement on pension payment will be worked out, and upon retirement, the retirees would immediately enjoy their pension,” he said.
Adegoke also promised what he described as a new era for the youths of Oyo State, with local government councils expected to play a major role in youth empowerment and skills development.
He said his administration would expand opportunities for young people through vocational training, entrepreneurship and structured empowerment programmes, stressing that the youth population represented a critical component of the state’s future.
According to him, local governments would be empowered to participate meaningfully in youth development rather than concentrating all empowerment initiatives at the state level.
He said his administration would also work towards creating an environment where young people could acquire practical skills, establish businesses and become economically self-reliant.
The ADC candidate said his ambition was to reposition Oyo State as a leading subnational economy by drawing inspiration from the development philosophy associated with the old Western Region under the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
He pledged to pursue investments in infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare and human capital development as part of efforts to restore the state’s pride of place.
“I will replicate the developments earlier carried out by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola that made the Western Region a greater zone, which earned Oyo State the Pacesetter status.
“Oyo will be developed to the envy of other states in the country, and our Pacesetter status will be a thing of pride,” Adegoke said.
On infrastructure, Adegoke reiterated his pledge to repair at least 10 township and inner roads in each local government area within his first 100 days in office.
Applying the pledge to the four local government areas covered during Monday’s visit, he said 40 township roads would be targeted in Oyo East, Oyo West, Atiba and Afijio within the first 100 days of his administration.
He further proposed that contractors executing such projects should, as much as practicable, be sourced from the benefiting local government areas.
According to him, the arrangement would make it easier for residents and local authorities to monitor contractors and hold them accountable for the quality of work delivered.
Adegoke also reiterated his commitment to strengthening local government administration, saying councils should be allowed to perform their constitutional responsibilities effectively.
He said greater local government autonomy would bring governance closer to the people and make it easier to address community-specific challenges.
The ADC candidate also unveiled plans to strengthen the agricultural sector through the employment of Agricultural Extension Officers, who would provide technical assistance and modern farming knowledge directly to farmers.
He promised that farmers would also have access to soft loans to expand their farms and improve productivity.
Adegoke further said the welfare of farmers’ families would receive attention, promising that opportunities would be created to ensure that their children could secure gainful employment.
He said his administration would regard agriculture not merely as a means of subsistence but as a major instrument for employment generation, wealth creation and rural development.
Following the engagement in the four local government areas, Adegoke and members of his team proceeded to Lalupon for another thank-you visit to stakeholders and supporters in Lagelu and Akinyele Local Government Areas.
The ongoing visits are part of the ADC candidate’s efforts to consolidate support, strengthen grassroots structures and engage communities across Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
2027 Oyo Guber: Adegoke Pledges Prompt Gratuities, Immediate Pension Enrolment for Retirees
