The Youth Party (YP) chairmanship candidate in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Ayodele Adio, has unveiled an ambitious economic blueprint aimed at transforming the local economy and generating thousands of jobs.
The plan, branded “RISE” — Recycle, Invest, Strengthen, Empower, is described by Adio as the most comprehensive economic agenda presented by any candidate in the forthcoming local government elections. The initiative is designed to address Eti-Osa’s key structural challenges while leveraging its economic and geographic advantages.
Speaking before community leaders, business owners, and residents, Adio explained that the four-pillar strategy combines immediate economic stimulus with long-term sustainable growth.
“Our RISE plan addresses both immediate economic needs and long-term sustainable growth. It’s about creating real opportunities for our people while building an economy that works for everyone.”
Recycle: Building a Circular Waste Economy
The first pillar focuses on tackling Eti-Osa’s growing waste management crisis while simultaneously creating a new economic subsector. The proposal includes establishing community recycling centres that convert waste into marketable products such as biogas and construction tiles.
According to Adio, this initiative will not only improve environmental sanitation but also stimulate green entrepreneurship and job creation within the environmental services value chain.
Invest: Developing Skilled Youth for Construction Growth
Recognising the ongoing construction boom across Eti-Osa, the second pillar targets youth employment through specialized construction training. The plan proposes certification programmes and structured apprenticeship partnerships with major real estate developers.
The objective is to create a pipeline of locally trained artisans and technicians equipped to participate competitively in the area’s expanding property market.
Strengthen: Expanding Tourism and Hospitality
The third pillar focuses on strengthening tourism infrastructure and branding. Adio outlined plans to develop beaches, historical landmarks, and cultural festivals into globally competitive attractions.
“We’ll develop our beaches, historical sites, and cultural festivals into world-class attractions,” he said, highlighting infrastructure upgrades and international marketing campaigns as key components.
The strategy aims to position Eti-Osa as a premier tourism and hospitality destination.
Empower: Grassroots Economic Inclusion
The final component centers on community empowerment. It proposes microfinance schemes, creative industry funds, business incubation hubs, and cooperative structures designed to ensure inclusive growth across all neighborhoods.
Adio emphasized that the RISE plan is backed by measurable targets, including:
- A 50% increase in tourism and hospitality revenue within 18 months
- Creation of 15,000 new jobs across tourism, hospitality, construction, and environmental services
- A 30% reduction in youth unemployment in Eti-Osa
“What sets this plan apart is its holistic approach. It addresses environmental concerns, skills gaps, tourism potential, and community inclusion simultaneously. Although the projections are ambitious, I believe they are achievable with proper implementation.”
He further noted that the blueprint includes defined implementation timelines, funding mechanisms, and accountability frameworks.
“This isn’t just campaign rhetoric. We’ve mapped out the execution details, including public-private partnerships, grant opportunities, and revenue-generation models that will make this plan succeed.”
Credit: ThisDay Live