An Ogbomoso-born young politician, Professor Abdulrahman Raphael Afonja (PARA), last week said he believes he is one of the largest private employers of labor in the state.
Professor Afonja stated this while chatting with newsmen at a get-together party organized by the staff of his company in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, on Friday.
The Oyo PDP member was apparently discussing the need to prioritize job creation as continuously done by the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
The Agricultural administrator, who had combined experience in different businesses, academia, engineering, military, government, agriculture, and nonprofit organizations (NGO) for over 24 years, said as an individual, he believes his record in employing young people in Oyo state is unrivaled by individuals and most the private investors in the state.
Engr. Afonja, who was also a former Commissioner for Public Works and Transport during the first time of Governor Seyi Makinde said he is currently the Managing Director of Gamut Security and Escort Services, Gamut Engineering, and Technology Services, and Gletxtone Nigeria Limited with over 1,200 full-time and temporary employees who currently work between the three companies across ten states in Nigeria with approximately over 400 who currently work and live in Oyo State.
The former commissioner urged well-to-do individuals in Oyo state and investors to support the state government in setting up businesses that will take advantage of huge reserves of resources in different parts of the state as well as contribute to the drastic reduction of the unemployment rate.
According to Professor Afonja, “I am pleased to say that I have created employment opportunities for over 1200 citizens of Oyo state through the investments I made within the state. Today, I can boost that, I am one of the highest employers of labor in Oyo state. All the staff are indigenes of the state, not imported. I am a fearless advocate for the Citizens of Oyo state, and I have dedicated my life to listening to the needs of the common man and helping solve complex challenges for the people.
“All thanks to Governor Seyi Makinde, who had, over the years, created an enabling environment for individual businesses and investors to thrive. He still continues to provide adequate security for investments and businesses in the state as his long effort reflects in job security and creation.
Afonja stated; “the economic and social effect of the 2024 massive recruitment made by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has directly reduced the unemployment rate in the state.
“Governor Makinde is not just a leader or administrator; he is a visionary man, whose commitment to leveraging youth potential and fostering innovation has set a new benchmark for sustainable development in governance since he resumed as the executive governor of Oyo state in 2019. His massive recruitment of youths to the State workforce in 2024 will no doubt have a large positive impact on the state economy and security.
“The governor recruited 5600 teachers and 80 Caregivers through Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), recruited 6,736 teaching and 2,433 nonteaching for state secondary schools through Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM). Not only that, over 902 job seekers were recruited into the state Civil Service while the Hospitals Management Board Recruitment (OYHMB) absorbed 332 to increase the workforce in the state health sector. The Governor also employed 562 to boost the state security architecture locally. The governor, in his kind gesture,, also approved the conversion of 1591 ad-hoc staff of the 33 local government councils in the state to permanent staff, an uncommon decision by a state governor.
“In addition, in the same year, 80 new job seeker youth were trained and given employment letters at the Oyo State Fire Service. Also, 3,933 health workers, including Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacist, Nutrition Officers, Community Health Officers, Health Attendance/Health Assistants, Health Educator, Driver, Watchmen, and others were employed in the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board (OYSPHCB). More, in 2024, governor Makinde approved the employment of 500 abled youth into The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), adding to the regulation control and management of transport and other matters connected to efficient traffic within the state.
“With all the massive recruitment made by Governor Seyi Makinde lately in 2024, it is clear that there will be more positive effects on the state economy, security, and society. Private organizations, Private Schools, and business owners who had lost staff to the Oyo state mass recruitment will no doubt fill the position left by the new civil servants with enticing payment and give value to the available manpower.
“All these employments mean the state is maximizing the available manpower resources, turning the population liability into an asset with the state youth feeling hopeful. The latest recruitment will automatically also decrease the state’s economic load. The dependence of the unemployed on the state’s working population will also automatically decrease. There is evidence that unemployment is a risk indicator for increasing alcohol consumption, particularly in young men. Unemployment is also associated with increased tobacco consumption, increased use of illicit drugs as well as deteriorating health behavior
“More so, the mortality rate is significantly higher among unemployed young men and women, especially in suicides and accidents, drug abuse has now been totally controlled by such massive recruitment as well as social causes which include increased risk of alienation, lack of financial resources, criminality and future exclusion from the labour market,” Afoja analyzed.
The former Oyo state commissioner who has been involved in community engagement, and human capacity development, with innovative ideas to fast-track the growth of the state, believes that the government should not be the sole employer of labour and that government policies should encourage investors to come to the State and establish their businesses, leading to new workforce skills and job opportunities.
“With all that Governor Makinde has done in terms of youth engagement and recruitment, individuals like myself who can complement such efforts also need to invest in our state to boost the economy and social value of the state through the employment of youth. Our well-to-do individuals should not shy away from the state’s challenges because they have also lived through some of those same challenges, “ Afonja said.
