Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday, announced packages totalling N1bn to cover compensation for victims of police brutality and injustice and a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) scheme, for youths.
The package includes an initial deposit of N500m for MSMEs and another N500m as compensation to victims of police brutality and injustice.
Makinde, who made the disclosure while addressing traditional rulers, local government chairpersons, security operatives and other stakeholders at a meeting on Monday, said that the state government will equally employ 5,000 youths across the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, in order to address the challenge of youth unemployment in the state.
He added that the state will also ensure that the 2021 Budget captures a Direct Labour Agency that will allow youths with prerequisite skills to have access to jobs whenever projects are awarded.
A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Makinde, indicated that the governor disclosed this while meeting with the traditional rulers, security chiefs, religious leaders and chairmen of the 68 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.
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He stated that apart from the platforms already put out by the government for victims of police brutality to report their experiences, the state will inaugurate the judicial panel of inquiry within the next one week, adding that his government will continue to live up to its mantra of putting the people first.
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Makinde, who expressed sadness at the news of the kidnap of an LCDA chairman, said the government will do everything within its power to get him freed, but that local government chairmen also have work to do within the localities – and quickly too.
The governor further said that the police will have to return to playing its role, noting that traditional rulers and other stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring that the police come back and perform their duties diligently.
He maintained that the state will begin the process of rebuilding police stations that were razed or vandalised, warning residents of the state to, however, be vigilant and watchful about external people coming to attack facilities in the state, as, according to him, killing, arson are not part of Oyo State, a state of Omoluabi.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi, charged the government to listen to the youths, stating that the recent challenge faced by the country was not only as a result of police brutality but also the failure of those in authority to rise to the occasion.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland, who spoke through their representatives, also echoed similar lines.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, said the government will not hesitate to implement all that has been agitated for, especially in the area of Police reform and reform in the constitution, as well as provision of gainful employment, among others.
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