Oyetola disburses over N2b to indigent citizens

Osun State governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola on Friday in Osogbo, the state capital disbursed on N2billion to indigent citizens through the launching of Public Workfare and Special Grant Transfer programmes under the Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO).

The two programmes were targeted at providing immediate labour intensive work opportunities for indigent unskilled youths and provide life-sustaining assistance for the aged and persons with disabilities respectively in the state.

Speaking at the launch in Osogbo after the presentation of a cheque of over N2billion to 25,907 indigent and vulnerable citizens, Oyetola explained that the programmes were in tandem with his administration’s resolve to improve on the state’s extant social investment policy and its vision to give adequate attention to the welfare of the aged and people with disabilities across the state.

He contended that the Public workfare programme will not only enhance the capacity of participating unemployed youths but also create and improve basic social and economic infrastructure in the state, saying the programme “has taken over 10,000 vulnerable youths away from roaming the street and are participating in productive service and earning monthly stipends.”

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Oyetola further maintained that the Public Workfare will also increase the income and consumption capacities of young participants and their households, up to effective demand in local markets, and increase household assets ownership, savings, and investments.

According to him, “since inception, the Public Workfare component of YESSO has resulted in an increase in the income and consumption of the young participants and their households and more importantly, active participation of these selected unskilled and unemployed youths in this programme has reduced youth restiveness and other social vices in our society.”

Commenting on the Special Grant Transfer, Oyetola said it was “due to our active performance in fighting the scourge of unemployment among our youths, the World Bank gave the state the opportunity to participate in Special Grant Transfer; a programme designed for persons with disabilities and the aged to avail them the opportunity for enhanced consumption and improved health system.”

While commending the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for its efforts at reducing unemployment especially among the youths through YESSO, the governor called on well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with government at all levels in the fight against unemployment in Nigeria so as to build a virile nation where peace and progress will thrive.

“As a front-runner in Social Protection Policy and Practice in the country, the programme we are inaugurating today is just the beginning of the numerous social interventions we are engaging in to make life better for our people”, Oyetola averred.

In her remarks, the Head of Unit, Osun Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) Public Workfare and Special Grant Transfer, Mrs Funmilayo Oladosu, enjoined the beneficiaries to be more active and productively invest their stipends so they can be financially independent at the end of the programme.