A House of Representatives aspirant for the Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, Deolu Masolanu, has unveiled a comprehensive blueprint focused on youth empowerment, sports development and job enhancement, pledging to expand existing intervention programmes across the constituency if elected.
Speaking on the challenges posed by the new Electoral Act, the aspirant lamented that the compressed political timetable had limited his ability to directly engage with residents across the 20 wards in Ido and Ibarapa East Local Government Areas ahead of the party primaries.
According to him, his original plan was to personally present his programmes and policy direction to constituents while also gathering feedback through town hall interactions.
“I would have loved to tour the 20 wards of Ido and Ibarapa East before the primaries, but there is just no way that could be achieved,” he said.
He, however, stated that alternative communication channels had been established to enable constituents to study his proposals and contribute ideas that would further strengthen the blueprint.
Masolanu highlighted several youth-focused initiatives already being implemented through the Masolanu Foundation, noting that the programmes had largely benefited residents of Ibarapa East.
He disclosed that the foundation had consistently sponsored educational and sporting programmes, including scholarships for students, debate and quiz competitions, as well as payment of examination fees for WAEC, NECO and JAMB candidates.
“In the area of sports development, I have been sponsoring football competitions among schools and communities, traditional games such as Ayo, and table tennis competitions,” he said.
The aspirant added that plans were underway to scale up the initiatives to cover both local governments on a larger platform.
On football development, he revealed that discussions had already commenced with organisations specialising in scouting raw football talents, with the aim of connecting talented youths from the constituency to clubs abroad.
“We will partner with them so that talents discovered from our competitions can be assisted into football teams abroad,” he stated.
Masolanu also pledged to expand scholarship opportunities to support students up to university level, stressing that his current interventions were constrained by personal resources.
He said his ambition to represent the constituency at the National Assembly was driven by the desire to broaden the reach of the empowerment programmes.
Speaking on employment, the aspirant carefully distinguished between “job creation” and “job enhancement,” noting that lawmakers have limited powers to directly create jobs.
According to him, consultations with former lawmakers had exposed him to strategies through which legislators could facilitate employment opportunities for constituents.
“The abilities of a legislator to create jobs are limited, if not impossible. But there are ways representatives can support job seekers and create opportunities for young people,” he said.
Masolanu maintained that Nigerian youths are hardworking and capable but often lack the enabling environment to succeed.
“Our youths are not lazy. They are hardworking and honourable people. What is lacking is the right atmosphere for them to pursue their dreams,” he said.
The aspirant, who described himself as “an ordinary young man from Eruwa,” said he understood the frustrations faced by many educated youths struggling for survival despite their qualifications.
“It pains me when I see many of our people, some with better credentials, riding motorcycles and tricycles for survival or struggling over Ankara fabrics distributed by politicians. They deserve better,” he added.
He assured constituents that more policy proposals and development plans would be unveiled in the coming weeks, while encouraging residents to provide honest feedback to improve the proposed programmes.
“We will cherish honest feedback so that we can incorporate the thoughts of others and arrive at a better workbook for our people,” he said.