LAGOS – Oba Akeem Adesanya, the Alara of Ilara in Epe Local Government area, has advised the governor-elect in Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, to empower those at the grassroots.
Adesanya told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that this could be done by establishing industries in rural areas.
He said that that establishing industries in rural areas was essential because youths at the grassroots were not benefitting from empowerment programmes of the state government.
“Most of the empowerment programmes by the state government are usually benefited by the youths living in the urban areas.
“Youths at the rural areas don’t get the information about the government programmes on time; therefore they do not enjoy the benefit of such programmes.
“Even when they are aware of such programmes, most of them are financially handicap to meet the conditions of such programmes including finance and time, “ Adesanya said.
He said that the state government should establish industries in rural areas to help in the development of rural communities and help in empowering the youths.
The monarch suggested that some of the industries that could be established in the rural area were pure water factories, plastic industries, micro-finance banks, photo laboratories, mechanic villages and food processing factories.
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According to him, most of the youths living in the rural area are farmers and artisans earning their living through farming, fishing, mechanic works and photography.
“Government can assist the youths by building these needed factories and industries to help in empowering them to alleviate poverty in the communities.
“Apart from creating employment opportunities for the youths, it will also improve the rural infrastructure, including electricity,“ he said.
Adesanya urged the governor-elect to take development of the grassroots seriously for residents in rural areas to enjoy dividends of democracy. (NAN)
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