By MABEL ADERONKE N.
The Governor, State of Osun, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has launched a World Bank-assisted Special Grant Transfer (SGT) and Public Workfare (PWF) Programme of the Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) on Friday 13th December 2019 at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo.
The Grant and Programme which is World Bank assisted, is aimed at alleviating poverty in the state. The initiative has helped heighten youth employment, empowerment of women and people with disabilities and Social Service delivery.
The Special Grant Transfer beneficiaries comprises people living with disabilities, age 46-64 and Aged people from 65 and above totaling 15,397 people and are paid Twenty Thousand naira (#20,000) quarterly. While 29,000 people received stipends from the state at N2bn grant paid monthly.
This is channeled towards paying adequate attention to the welfare of the people across the State to cater for their welfare.
The Youth Employment and Social Support Operation is a flagship operation aimed at reducing the vulnerability of Youths and Women in the State. Over 10,000 vulnerable youths have been lifted from the streets through this Programme and paid monthly to curb the menace of joblessness among youths. So far, 10,618 beneficiaries of the Programme has been recorded.
Governo Adegboyega Oyetola affirmed that the Grant and Programme which is for indigent and unskilled youths, has greatly impacted on the Economic and social welfare of the citizens of the State.
“The State Government is concerned with attending to the needs of the poor, help youths and disabled people to be self-reliant and self-sustaining” the Governor said. He also urged the Youths to be worthy ambassadors of the state and enjoined them to make proper use of the opportunity.
The Governor Mr Adegboyega Oyetola commended the Federal Government in its efforts at reducing unemployment especially among the youths through this Scheme.
The event was graced with the presence of the First Lady, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola, Secretary to the State Government Mr Wole Oyebamiji, Head of Service Mr Olowogboyega Oyebade, Speaker of the House of Assembly, State of Osun, Hon Timothy Owoeye, Members of the State House of Assembly, All Progressives Congress Party State Chairman, Hon Gbenga Famodun, World Bank Representatives, State of Osun Cabinet Members, Senior Government officials amongst others.
The Governor Gboyega Oyetola presented Two (2) Cheque boards to the Special Grant Transfer (SGT) and Public Workfare (PWF) Heads totalling N2.1bn.
