An Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Professor Philip Adetiloye, has promised to provide jobs for youths, if elected at the poll.

The Professor of Agriculture made the pledge in Igbara Odo when he led his campaign team on a visit to the APC Elders Forum to present his manifestos.

Elders from all the 16 local government areas of the state were present at the meeting.

Adetiloye said that, if elected as governor, he would focus on job creation for thousands of employable youths and graduates through the establishment of modernised/mechanised farming, establishment of agro-allied industries and microfinance banks in every local government of Ekiti State.

He explained that the microfinance banks will give loans to farmers and owners of businesses, market the women and civil servants.

The aspirant lamented the abject poverty in Ekiti State, which, he said, was compounded by the failure of the present administration to pay workers’ salaries. Adetiloye added that lack of industries to generate employment for jobless graduates could be attributed to poor governance, leading to poor priority setting and financial mismanagement.

He therefore, promised to govern Ekiti with visionary leadership if elected as the governor.

Adetiloye explained with focus on modernised farming and industrialisation, the present pains in Ekiti State will be a thing of the past.

The aspirant expressed gratitude to the Elders Forum for their support for a governor from the South Senatorial District.

He assured the forum that his government will focus on moving Ekiti State forward in agriculture, industrialisation, education, health and tourism. He said local governments in Ekiti State are suffering the consequences of poor governance.

The elders who maintained rapt attention during his presentation acknowledged his deep insight into the socio-economic and political problems of Ekiti State and possible solutions to the challenges.

They advised the aspirant to reach out more to the people. The Elders prayed for him and his entourage for the success of his aspirations.