𝐎𝐲𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐛 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬

The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at regulating the activities of house agents in Oyo State, following rising complaints of extortion and exploitative practices in the housing sector.

Ogundoyin made this known on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The meeting, chaired by Prince Adebowale Falana, brought together representatives of registered youth organisations across the state.

During the interactive session, youths expressed concerns over what they described as rampant extortion by house agents, saying the practice has made access to housing increasingly difficult for residents.

The Speaker while responding disclosed that the House would constitute a committee to draft a bill that would regulate house agents and curb their excesses. He assured stakeholders that the proposed legislation would be completed and forwarded to Governor Seyi Makinde for assent before the end of the first quarter of the year.

“This bill will demonstrate how serious the leadership of the House is in addressing the menace of extortion by house agents. It will help protect residents from exploitation and restore sanity to the housing sector in Oyo State,” Ogundoyin said.

The Speaker also reiterated his commitment to youth development, describing himself as a strong advocate for young people in governance. He called for deliberate investment in modern skill acquisition centres to equip youths with relevant, in-demand skills for self-reliance in today’s challenging economy.

“We should deliberately focus on developing modern skill acquisition centres, skills that fit into today’s world and promote self-sustainability,” he added.

Ogundoyin further urged youths to shun social vices such as cybercrime, ritual practices and other destructive behaviours, warning that such acts undermine their future and the image of the state.