A detailed insight into the achievements of Senator Iyiola Omisore during his time at the Nigerian National Assembly

1. SENATOR IYIOLA OMISORE PhD; FNSE
THE CONTRIBUTION AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF
UPPER CHAMBERUPPER CHAMBER
2007 - 2011
...IN THE
HEALTH
INFRASTRUCTURE
OMISORE YOUTH
SUPPORT FORUM
PHILANTHROPY
WATER
APPROPRIATION AND
AID EFFECTIVENESS
DEFENCE
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION
ENERGY
OF THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

2. UPPER CHAMBERUPPER CHAMBER
SENATOR IYIOLA OMISORE PhD; FNSE
THE CONTRIBUTION AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF
2007 - 2011
...IN THE
OF THE NIGERIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

3. ©Iyiola Omisore Organiza on. April 2014
Principal SenatorIyiolaOmisorePhD, FNSE
Reviewer: Prof.AkinOnigbinde,IndependentResearcherandTeacher,OgunState
Research: CentreforHealthSciencesTraining,ResearchandDevelopment(CHESTRAD)Interna onal
Graphics WaleOla,IndependentGraphicAr standCartoonist
PrintProduc on: NovaProduc ons
This is a publica on by the Communica ons and Media Team of the Iyiola Omisore Organiza on.
Credits

4. TABLE OF CONTENTS
His profile....................................................................................................
Budgeting, Appropriation and Aid Effectiveness.........................................
Key Legislative Contributions.....................................................................
Defence.......................................................................................................
Culture & Tourism........................................................................................
Economic Development...............................................................................
Education.....................................................................................................
Energy and Water Supplies.........................................................................
Health..........................................................................................................
Infrastructure...............................................................................................
Omisore Youth Support Forum....................................................................
Philanthropy.................................................................................................
Iyiola Omisore Organization.........................................................................

5. HIS PROFILE
Dr. Iyiola Omisore, the candidate for Osun East, is a high profile public figure in Nigeria with a
distinguished record of achievement within both government and the commercial sector. He has served
this constituency as Senator for two consecutive terms, from 2003 to 2011, gaining widespread
recognition in the media and by his constituents for being an effective grassroots politician, a political
mobiliser and a community man. He is, in his own words, “undaunted in my support to Osun State”.
Before entering politics, Senator Omisore trained and practiced as a Building Services Engineer. After
gaining degrees in Mechanical Engineering in the UK, he then joined an engineering company in Britain before returning to
Nigeria as its Project Manager. Demonstrating the integrity and energies which are his hallmarks in all fields of life, he gained rapid
promotion into senior management roles, successfully completing a wide range of major building and infrastructure development
projects.
With a flair for business, and a desire to bring greater prosperity to his own people, in the early 1990s Senator Omisore established
two engineering concerns, firstly Chrisore Engineering Plc. and then Mechelec Consultants Limited. Both ventures prospered
under his leadership and guidance, winning the trust of highly selective financial institutions that included theAfrican Development
Bank and World Bank, both of which funded large-scale Health,Transport and Electrification projects, amongst others.
It was through his increasing involvement in socially desirable projects that Senator Omisore, who is a devout Christian, found his
calling to serve his fellow countrymen in a more direct way. It was this calling that, in 1999, led him to become Deputy Governor in
Osun State. Four years later, he contested and won his first seat at the Senate, and was elected to the senate representing Osun
East district inApril 2003, a position he held for two terms until the June 2011.
Outstandingly, his 2003 campaign for the seat in the Nigerian Senate was organized while he was in detention for the
purported murder of the Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige. Dr. Iyiola Omisore was subsequently acquitted of
any involvement or complicity in the murder of the Attorney General by the High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The
campaign was intricately organized by his supporters, who were fiercely loyal to him supported by widespread general
population from the citizens of the state who believed that his detention was illegal and that he, Omisore, was being
persecuted for standing with the people of the state to protect their voices and an open democratic process that must reflect
all perspective and ages, especially the young, vulnerable and socially marginalized. This was the situation the period before
the PDP leaders decided to field Omisore and he won in all the local governments of the senatorial district. Iyiola Omisore
was reelected for Osun East in 2007.

6. During his tenure in the upper legislative chamber in Nigeria, Senator Omisore distinguished himself not only in name but also by the key
positions he held and the achievements recorded during this period at all levels of governance. In the Upper Chamber he served on
numerous Committees, frequently as Chairman, making important contributions on Industry, Housing, Culture and Tourism, Aviation
and PoliceAffairs. It was as Chairman on the Senate Committee onAppropriations that Senator Omisore used his office to highlight the
failure of the Federal Government to implement large construction projects.
Key positions held include
· Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, 2004 – 2005
· Chairman, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, 2005 – 2007
· Chairman, Joint Finance Committee
· Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, 2007
· Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations (2007 -2011)
· Chairman, UNDP/NASS Support Implementation Committee (2007 - 2011)
· Chairman, Board of Fellows, Institute of PublicAdministration of Nigeria.
He was appointed to committees for Police Affairs, Housing, Culture & Tourism, Aviation and Appropriation. In May 2008, Iyiola
Omisore was named as a member of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review (JCCR). In September 2008,
as Chairman of the Implementation Committee for the UNDP/National Assembly Support Program, Omisore said that everyone
must be involved in deciding what forms part of the appropriation estimate for Niger Delta development. In December 2008,
Senator Omisore spoke in favor of using the nation's accumulated external reserve to finance any revenue shortfall rather than
borrowing from abroad. In October 2008, Omisore was one of the Nigerian delegates to the 5th Consultative Assembly of
Parliamentarians in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In March 2009, Omisore attended the 24th International Conference on
Solid Waste Technology and Management in Philadelphia, US, where he discussed Constitutional Policy Frameworks and Solid
Waste Management in Nigeria. In August 2009, Omisore expressed grave concern about abandoned projects in the country, and
said the National Assembly had decided to include the list of abandoned projects in the budget.
Key Legislative Contributions

7. While he was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, he worked with other members of the
committee over 4 rounds of national budget reviews and allocation, increasing national investments in
infrastructure, economic and social development as well as championing civic engagement in what has
become nationally recognized as the 'Inclusive national budgeting initiative'. Using this platform he
transformed the appropriations processes into an evidence and people responsive process, taking on
publicly solicited citizens and institutional perspectives to guide allocations and appropriations. While this
often meant that long and challenging negotiations were required with the executive and implementing
ministries departments and agencies, Senator Omisore's leadership and people skills kept all views and
thoughts included until a shared budgetary consensus was achieved.
Senator Omsiore further worked with global institutions and national civil society organizations to ensure
that there is alignment between overseas development assistance and national budgeting and
appropriation process, proposing for legislative action to support improved research evidence support
alignment while focusing on improved budgeting performance and results. The overarching objective was to ensure of his work
over the 4 year period as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the Upper Legislative Chamber of the Nigerian Assembly
was to transform budgeting and appropriation into Socially Desirable Projects with sustained impact on national development. His
work development assistance and performance with effective engagement of civil society is recognized by the International Health
Partnership Plus and other international agencies including the Belgium based Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD).
Senator Omisore used his office to improve the level of infrastructural development
of the nation, especially road and water supply infrastructures network. He used his
office to facilitate bold and transformative investments of the national budget in
infrastructure, health and human capital development (education, youth
development and economic empowerment). Many of these projects reflect the
deployment of his professional capacity and a commitment to bridge the
infrastructure gaps in national development and economic growth.

8. Senator Iyiola Omisore is a friend of, and to all his peers in the NationalAssembly. The network established during
his period in the Upper Chamber subsist to date. His home inAbuja, Ife and Lagos are melting pots for networking
and engagement across a broad range of constituencies including the private sector and civil populations. He is
an un-paralled networker and yet an open, firm and fair political strategist
Now standing for election as the Governor of Osun State under the platform of the People's Democratic Republic
of Nigeria (PDP), Senator Omisore offers a wealth of knowledge and experience, as well as an undimmed
appetite for continuing to serve the citizens of Osun State.
Senator Omisore's most notable and outstanding contributions were as the Chair of the Senate Committee onAppropriations, presiding
over 4 rounds of budgeting at the Federal level. Aside from his efforts to ensure that federal projects better support investments in
infrastructure national development, linking critical structures for economic to their impact on social development, citizen's participation
and the inclusiveness of the perspectives of a broad range of stakeholders, including civil society and other non-state partners in the
budgeting and appropriation process. Senator Iyiola Omsiore also proactively established catalytic initiatives led by the Senate
Committee onAppropriations.Afew of these are briefly described below
Budgeting andAppropriations by Nigerians for Nigeria
At inception as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Omisore observed that the critical need to ensure that
'there is a fairer distribution of wealth in our country. It is a scandal that 95% of Nigeria's wealth is controlled or owned by just 5% of our
people'. He identified that while the country required forign direct investments, 'the Federal Government and its elected representatives
have a duty of care to the people of Nigeria to ensure parity and fairness in these matters'. In the Appropriation strategies he
implemented with his Committee, he sought to engage indigenous institutions and support Nigerian-led initiatives.
Inclusive National Budgeting Initiative
His commitment to engaging citizens in all aspects of governance led to the cooperation with the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) office in Nigeria to establish the National Inclusive Budgeting Initiative. With this initiative, Senator Omisore
sought to engage citizens in the federal budgeting and appropriations process. Civil Society Organizations and other professional and
Think Tank groups were organized into zonal consultations with members of the Committee
on Appropriations. Senator Omisore as Chair led these zonal consultations, yielding not
only citizens participation but also deploying the Consultations as a platform for also
evaluating the impact of the previous year's allocation at the local level, monitoring the
effectiveness of implementation and providing a platform for accountability of this
Committee beyond the walls of the National Assembly in Abuja. This effort has expanded,
informing the decision to establish an Office for Monitoring in the Office of the President.

9. As Chair of the Committee on Appropriations, Senator Omisore sought very actively to ensure that there is
greater alignment between domestic and international flows for development. He keenly engaged in the mutual
accountability work in health supported by WHO, the WB and other development partners in the International
Health Partnership Plus. He further initiated efforts to align the budgetary and allocation process, increasing the
accountability of international resources provided to Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA) to the
appropriation processes. He supported a senate wide dialogue on this critical accountability issue,
commissioning CHESTRAD International with support from the International Health Partnership Plus and Health Partners International
to conduct and internationally acclaimed tracking study on domestic and international flows in Nigeria.
Key recommendations of this effort, jointly agreed for implementation by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, National Planning
Commission and the Federal Ministry of Finance include
·
Strengthen budget review and appropriation processes of Committees on Appropriations of the National Assembly by
establishing the National Budget and Research Office as anAct of Parliament
· Deepen dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, provide timely access to information
and expand its Inclusive National Budgeting Initiative
· Establish a Civil Society Fund on Aid Effectiveness, Results and Accountability to support the review and independent
accountability function of national civil society organizations in aid effectiveness for results and accountability
These recommendations have been taken up by his successors and modalities to secure their implementation are currently being
explored. Senator Omisore has presented the findings of this effort at several international fora including to the OECD and the Global
Conference onAid Effectiveness and Development Cooperation held in Busan, South Korea in December 2012.
Budgeting, Appropriation and Aid Effectiveness

10. The idea to establish a Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding was muted during the PDP led-administration of
Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, then the Governor of the State. The catalyst was the visit of a good friend of Oba Moses Oyinlola,
father for the former Governor of the State, Mr. Ulli Beier. During a visit to Nigeria to launch the memoirs of the auto-biography of
his father, the Governor was informed by Mr. Ulli Beir of his intention to bequeath his life-long work on Yoruba society and culture to
Osun State. This led to the establishment of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding whose over-arching goal
is to 'elevate Black culture by focusing on its recovery, preservation, promotion, and utilization of its enduring ways of being for the
purposes of holistic development, appreciation, and international understanding'
A keen respecter of culture and tradition, Senator Omisore actively contributed and supported the establishment of this Centre
providing for national funding for this important historical archive for the people of Osun State in the first instance but for Nigerians
and the larger global populations of Black people.
The Center has since its establishment documented 145 historical sites and monuments in Osun State and provides a huge
potential for enterprise and wealth creation through the development of tourism across almost all local governments in the State
According to the website of the Centre, CBCIU has relied solely on the capital grant given by the Federal Government late in 2009
for all its activities
For additional information, please visit http://www.centreforblackculture.org
Culture and Tourism (NGN 1.2b)

11. Defence (NGN 6.4b)
Over the period of his stewardship in the upper chamber of the national assembly, Senator Omisore supported the establishment
and funding of key defence institutions in south west Nigeria including in locations like Ipetu-Ijesha, Ile-Ife and Esa-Oke, the birth
place of the late Osun State frontline political leader and former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige.
Air Force Safety School Ipetu Ijesha
Navy Communication School, Ile-Ife
Army Recruitment Centre, Esa Oke
1
2
3

12. Economic Development (NGN 4.1 b)
Key economic development initiatives in Osun State were initiated and supported by federal Appropriations by the Omisore-led
Senate Committee on Appropriations. Some of these are listed below.
The investment and benefits of some these initiatives are being falsely acclaimed by the current APC-led Government of Ogbeni
Rauf Aregbesola.
1
2
Osun Airport
Living Spring Free Trade Zone

13. Education (NGN 15.0b)
Across all educational institutions in south west Nigeria, Senator Omisore will be remembered as a proactive supporter of
education while in the upper chamber of the Nigerian National Assembly i.e. the Senate. Over this period, the fostered the
appropriation of over NGN 15.0 billion (Fifteen billion) naira to various initiatives, efforts and programmes to support education
infrastructure and the quality of education in Nigeria.
The list above does not include his personal investment in education through philanthropy at individual and institutional levels.
Omisore's commitment in education is reflected in his great concern about the quality of education in Osun State. He opines that
education is the wisest investment that can be made. His actions in the Senate support this position, vibrantly.
University of Ibadan-Ajibode Extension Project for the construction of network of roads and bridges
Obafemi Awolowo University: Infrastructure, buildings, power generation, research etc
Federal University of Technology, Akure,, Infrastructure
Obafemi Awolowo University - Construction of link roads
1
2
4
3

14. Water is the essence of life! 'Omisore' in our local Yoruba language means 'water has done good'. No one can exist without water
and according to the great maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti 'Water he no get enemy'. 'Omi' as he is fondly by his friends and
supported actively ensured that federal investments assured the provision of safe potable water to the people of Osun State. It is
also in this regard that his knowledge and expertise in engineering was also brought to the fore, linking water supplies with the
generation of hydro-electric power. Investment in water were also linked to agriculture and food security. In this regard, he also
skilfully linked this critical investment to ensuring that his people are able to produce food. Finally, the huge investment in water
also impacted on rural development and the status of women, reducing the burden for fetching water over long distances in Osun
state for many households, girls and women
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
3
Ede Waterheads
Iloko-Ijesha Supply/Earth Dam
Olode Ifewara
Iwo Water Supply
Ejigbo Water Supply
Construction of Solar Panel Boreholes
Rehabilitation of Boreholes across Osun State
Ilesha multi-purpose dam for hydro power, irrigation and water supply
Ile-Ife multi-purpose dam for hydro-power, irrigation and water supply
Energy and Water Supplies (Estimated to be in Excess of 50.0b)

15. Health (NGN 7.0b)
1
2
4
3
University College Hospital, Ibadan - Infrastructure, building, nedical supply, water supply and power generation
OAUTH College - Infrastructure, building, medical supply, water supply and power generation
Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha
Intervention projects at Federal Medical Centres at Owo, Abeokuta, Yaba and Ido Ekiti
In addition to those listed above, Senator Omisore's engagement in the health sector expanded to supporting issues of access to
health care for women and children. He provided support for the access of Nigerians, especially women to cancer treatment,
championing the cause of the African Cancer Centre to National Resources. He also is a keen supporter of expansion of routine
immunization systems and the access of young girls and women in Nigeria to vaccinations they need to reduce the scourge of
cervical cancer and vaccine preventable diseases. The Nigerian Vaccine Access Programme is a public- private partnership to
improve access to essential life-saving vaccinations, promote routine immunization and strengthen health systems

16. Infrastructure (Estimated in excess of NGN 50.b)
His contribution to infrastructure is immense focusing principally on roads and transportation. In this effort, his knowledge and
experience as an engineer was at the fore. Senator Omisore was in the forefront of promoting investments in infrastructure for
development across the country. In this sector, he provided for the appropriation over NGN 55.0 bllion for projects in South West
Nigeria. A few of these projects are listed below
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
3
Construction of Osogbo-Oko Raod
Construction of bridge over River Erinle
Rehabilitation of Osogbo-Ilesha Road
Award of Gbongon-Ilaodo Raod (Phase III), Osogbo-Kwara Boundary
Rehabilitation of Ife-Ifewara Road
Dualization of Mayfair Junction - Lagere-Iremo-Enuwa-Ilesha Byepass and Ile-Ife township roads
Rehabilitation of Erinmo - Ilasamaja to Ekiti Boundary
Rehabilitation of Elesan- Odebode-Iragbiji Road
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Ajebandele-Ofeso-Osogbo-Edunabon-Modakeke and Ijebu-Igbo boundary Road
Rehabilitation of Ife-Ondo Raod
Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Iwo-Oyo Boundary (Awe) Road
Construction of Ilesha-Osogbo Roads and Bridges
Some of the achievements of these projects are currently being falsely acclaimed by the current APC government in Osun State
led by Rauf Aregbesola. These not only attest to the vision that initiated and appropriated the resources to these important road
networks but also their desirability for the development of Osun State, and the centrality to its ability to ensure meaningful social
and economic cooperation with its neighboring states

17. The Omisore Youth Support Forum is a key programme of the Iyiola Omisore Organization (see pg. indicate the page for this). The
Forum was inspired by the work of Osun State young persons and a commitment to selfless and proactive contributions to their
own development. This aspiration was shared with Senator Omisore who they had identified as their mentor. He not only
supported the aspirations of these young persons but also supported their dreams for sustainable livelihood and inclusive owned
democratic participation for young people.
In the words of the Coordinator of the OYSF
'Inherent in this mission of OYSF is the determination to seek new and creative ways of addressing all the three parts, while
holding a deep respect for individuals inside and outside the forum and for the communities of which they are part. We have a
progressive, non-partisan socio-political mission that seeks to meet human needs and eliminate injustice in our local, national and
international communities by integrating those concerns into our day-to-day business activities. Our focus is creating enabling
environment for the young ones to thrive economically and politically'
Today, OYSF is a vibrant, active and purposeful programme with over 200,000 members, and a rapidly expanding online
registration and validation database for all its members ( ). This innovative youth forum, has through the support ofwww.oysf.net
Senator Omisore, provided support to well over 20,000 young entrepreneurs, artisans and the aged across all local governments in
the state. It is currently developing a strategic plan to extend its engagement to other youth groups in Osun State, and there are
loud demands that this model be extended to Osun State youth indigenes in Nigeria wherever they are. Across all LGAs where the
OYSF empowerment programmes have commented, there is an invigorated sense of purpose, renewal and hope
Omisore Youth Support Forum

18. While in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, it was very clear to Senator Omisore that public funds was not meant for
philanthropy, yet his philanthropy remained at the core of his person, and a sustained action as he represented the people of Osun
State, and in extension south west Nigeria. They came to him in their drones for support for them, their children and their communities.
Using his extensive political network, he provided leverage for more than this document can list for job, power transformers to their
communities, health projects as well as economic empowerment. He however went beyond this.
From his personal resources, he further supported scholarships, medical treatment at home and abroad, invested funds to assist others
to start or expand their business and also to lend them supporting hands not only through difficult times but also to enable them to
achieve and fulfil life aspirations. His investment in philanthropy is uncontestable and in his own words 'he remains undaunted in his
support for the people of Osun State' and the evolution of sustainable democracy in Nigeria. Testimonials to his investment in
philanthropy about.
His passion for empowerment of young people and the elderly, and his unalloyed loyalty to family and friends is perhaps the bedrock of is
success in politics and his acclaimed expansive social life.
In recognition of his philanthropy, Senator Iyiola Omisore was awarded the coveted Melvin Jones Award by the Lions Club. In his
acceptance speech of the award, he asserted
' When I was informed about the “MELVIN JONES AWARD”, I was taken aback, retorting that `` I am not a LION club member``.
Unknown to me, these LION club members of yours had conducted some “espionage” into my private and personal lives. They know
that I provided some fund through the Eko Lions Club to treat a nine years old girl who had her leg amputated and needed further
treatment and rehabilitation abroad. They know I financed the operation and treatment of a 22 years old lady who had cancer of the lip.
They know about a microfinance bank dedicated to assisting women especially widows, the less privileged and artisans w hich I
established. They know that I initiated a One hundred million Naira (#100m) scholarship scheme to indigent students nationwide in
tertiary institutions. They know the particular dates and times that I visited or sent gifts to orphanage homes, prisons and homes for the
disabled in the last 5 years. They even know that I celebrated the 2013 New Year Day at OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY
TEACHING HOSPITAL COMPLEX (OAUTHC) ILE-IFE where we settled outstanding bills of many out-patients and gave all in-patients
New Year Hampers. Indeed, they know a lot more than I can recount here. I asked if they were operatives and they said “In LIONISM –
we serve
Notable Quotes of Senator Omisore PhD, FNSE
Application ofTechnology for learning and innovation
'Our children and young people have to become part of the new technological age. We have to do much more to improve the teaching of
Information and Communication Technologies. We must better deploy technology for innovation and learning, not for profit as we
currently have in Osun State!
Philanthropy

19. Care of the Elderly
'We also need to cater for the needs of our older citizens too. Culture and Leisure, two areas of which I have special knowledge and
understanding, must also play a wider part in the widening fabric of our community. We must never neglect the needs of our older
citizens'.
Engineering and Local Content
‘Take my own sector, construction and engineering. In Nigeria, as the global economy continues to recover, we have vast scope for
improving the environment, for increasing the capacity of our cities, towns and countryside through major infrastructure projects. We
need better roads, improved energy supplies, more hospitals and schools. We need to ensure, too, that the bulk of the jobs created by
these public and private sector initiatives go to our own people, and not to foreign workers'
Good governance and public accountability
'Yes, we shall meet resistance. But I am determined, if elected as your Governor, to become a strong voice calling for change. My voice,
your voice, must be heard. The Office of the Governor is a place to address to these matters and foster inclusive change. I am
passionate about good governance. But good governance can only happen when there is ethical governance. And there can be no
ethical governance when inequalities exist and economic abuse of women, children, public service and pensioners is endemic at the top
levels of government. We must rescue Osun State from this from of governance. Only by doing this can we ensure that there is a fairer
distribution of wealth, and that the things I stand for as a politician and commit to deliver to all, without exception.
Health
'We must improve healthcare, and in its widest sense too. Yes, we need more doctors and nurses. Yes, our hospitals need modernizing
and improving. But we also need to look more critically at how we care for the infirm and elderly, and support those in the community who
are disabled or afflicted by non-life-threatening conditions. I want Osun State too to be in the vanguard of how we treat people who,
through no fault of their own, are victims of poverty. Or who suffer from mental illness, that hidden disease. This country is blessed with
immense reserves of oil and minerals. We are one of the richest nations in Africa. We need to do so, so much more to ensure that the
riches nature has provided us with are re-invested in the wellbeing of our people.'
Human Capital Development
'We need a fresh approach to the whole concept of Human Capital Development. It is an area of special interest to me, and one to which I
am wholly committed. People who know me will also know my commitment to helping children through the giving of individual
educational grants, including scholarships. As a Christian I believe in the concept of giving. I shall continue to be active in this respect. I
also believe that knowledge, ultimately, is so much more valuable than silver or gold'
We need better trained teachers. We need infrastructure for education. We need to re-focus on the reasons for teaching IT so that
children and then students have a much greater understanding of multi-functional applications of IT in all areas, and sectors, of the
workplace. We need to train our teachers, to validate the technology that we use and to ensure that they enhance both education and
learning. We need, too, to ensure that these facilities are also used to develop the entrepreneurial and employability skills of people
already in the workplace or who are seeking employment'

20. Unemployment and Job Creation
'Within Osun State we currently have a 35% unemployment rate amongst citizens with the ability and, importantly, the desire to
work. This is far, far too high. Not only does unemployment cause immense individual stress, it also adversely affects the economic
and social wellbeing of the entire community. So I am determined to do everything in my power to bring down this figure. But how, I
hear you asking, can this be done? Firstly, unemployment is the consequence of there being too few jobs. So the number of
vacancies must be increased. This in turn is dependent on two factors: the creation of new jobs by existing employer
organizations, and, importantly, the birth of new enterprise'.
Iyiola Omisore Organization
More recently, Senator Omsiore has sought to harmonize and coordinate his engagements in politics, governance and
philanthropy into a movement which he leads as the Principal of the Iyiola Omisore Organization (IOO). The Iyiola Omisore
Organization, a socio-political membership movement established in 2011 to
(a) Promote inclusive democracy and accountable governance in Osun State in the first instance, expanding its influence in
south west Nigeria, and also enabling it to contribute meaningfully to national strategies and development
(b) Provide a platform for clear articulation of his perspectives and vision for state, regional and national development
(c) Support catalytic empowerment activities that engage hands and fulfil aspirations with particular emphasis on young
persons, the aged and artisans in Osun State, both skilled and unskilled
(d) Provide a platform for organized philanthropy with a focus on the development of viable human capital
For additional information on the initiatives and programmes of the Iyiola Omisore Organization (IOO) including the Rescue
Mission Campaign for the Office of the Governor of Osun State, please contact campaign2014@iyiola-omisore.org
To join the Iyiola Omisore Organization, please contact members@iyiola-omisore.org
To join the Omisore Youth Forum, please contact oysf@iyiola-omisore.org
For media relations and enquires, please contact media@iyiola-omisore.org
For press relations, please contact press@iyiola-omisore.org