- By Kunle Akinrinade
A chairmanship aspirant in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Ajibola Sulaiman Larinde, has promised to reduce unemployment, especially among youths in the council area, if given the chance by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Larinde, a public servant and the youngest aspirant in the race for APC ticket, said his job provision and empowerment for youths and women would provide self-sufficiency for residents of the council area.
‘’ I am a proud son of Ojokoro and I currently serve in the employ of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF). At LSETF, we empower entrepreneurs, support job seekers, and help reduce unemployment across Lagos. I’ve worked closely on projects that have funded over 15,000 small businesses, trained over 100,000 youths, and supported thousands of women and vulnerable residents. Now, I am bringing that experience home to serve my people at the grassroots.
‘’Working at LSETF has shown me what’s possible when government works for the people. I have seen barbers become chief executive officers (CEOs), tailors grow their shops, and unemployed youths gain technology skills and land jobs. I want to replicate this impact directly in Ojokoro. We have the talent; we just need the right leadership and support systems.’’
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‘’ I will establish the Ojokoro Local Enterprise Support Unit—to fund and mentor businesses. I will launch Ojokoro Employability Bootcamps, modeled after LSETF’s job placement programmes. I will also create a database of skilled youth so we can link them to job opportunities and startups.With my network at the state level, I will ensure Ojokoro is not left behind in any state-wide development plan.
Larinde added: ‘’I plan to launch a Women Support Fund, create women-only cooperative clusters, and offer free business clinics for female entrepreneurs.
For our elderly and vulnerable, I will implement health subsidies, mobile clinics, and food assistance programmes.’’