The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Umar Farouk Arisekola, has pledged to push for the establishment of a National Job Centre in the constituency if elected to the House of Representatives in 2027.
Arisekola made the pledge on Thursday while formally launching his campaign at the Police Barracks Open Field, Yemetu, Ibadan.
According to the former Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, the proposed centre would provide young people with access to employment information, skills training and direct connections to potential employers.
He, however, acknowledged that establishing the centre would be subject to the necessary legislative, institutional and budgetary approvals.
Arisekola said his ambition to represent Ibadan North dated back to 2015, describing his 2027 bid as a renewed commitment to serving the people of the constituency.
He maintained that his ambition was not driven by the prestige associated with becoming a federal lawmaker but by a desire to provide stronger representation for Ibadan North at the National Assembly.
“I am not seeking the title of honourable member. I am seeking to serve,” Arisekola said.
Beyond the proposed job centre, the APC candidate promised to support initiatives in digital skills, entrepreneurship and vocational training, arguing that young people should be treated as active stakeholders in the development of the constituency rather than merely as leaders of the future.
He also pledged to pursue interventions in education, healthcare and infrastructure, including water supply, electricity and roads.
Arisekola said decisions on constituency projects would be based on consultations with residents and communities to ensure that interventions reflect their actual needs.
Highlighting the size of Ibadan North Federal Constituency, the candidate noted that the area comprises two state constituencies, 12 wards and 512 polling units.
He promised that communities across the constituency would receive attention if he is elected, saying every ward, polling unit and resident would count under his representation.
The campaign launch was attended by the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, his running mate, Soji Adedeji, as well as party leaders, executives and supporters from Ibadan North and other parts of the state.
The event also witnessed the defection of some members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord to the APC.
Oyo State APC Chairman, Otunba Moses Alake, while speaking at the event, commended residents of Ibadan North for producing what he described as credible candidates for the party.
Alake described Arisekola as a member of a prominent Oyo State family and urged party members and residents to support him alongside other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
