Osun Govt commences second-year distribution of food support scheme
…Targets more entrepreneurs for empowerment
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The government of Osun, under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, has continued the distribution of the monthly food items to the vulnerable citizens in all strata across the State.
This 13th edition of the food distribution marked the first month of the second year anniversary of the laudable initiative that had fed over one million mouths in various categories.
Governor Oyetola had in last year April flagged off the Osun Food Support Scheme, which was targeted at banishing hunger, poverty and related vices as part of its social security intervention designed to scale-up the welfare and general well-being of the citizenry.
Addressing journalists during the flag-off ceremony at the Multi-purpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola said the scheme had become a model of social investment programmes of any responsible government.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, stressed at the 13th edition of the scheme, that the scheme had recorded huge success as it had helped to further bring the government closer to the people, most importantly the masses.
Oyetola who described the initiative as a veritable tool for meeting the masses at the point of their needs, said on no account would his government renege on its pledge to continue the programme as long as he remains in government.
“When Governor Oyetola started this scheme, he said he will continue as long as he remains in government, some ‘Doubting Thomases’ said he couldn’t make it. But we are glad to inform the generality of our people that last month was the 12th edition and today is the commencement of the second year of feeding the generality of the masses of our people.
“What gladdens our hearts is the fact that we are getting feedback from the beneficiaries and this shows the extent at which we have reached out to the people who actually need this. As a matter of fact, we went to the extent that, apart from the distribution pattern, we went to the markets to ensure that it gets to our people.
“As you can see, the items are well packaged and customised, making it to be more unique. And for the distribution, we have our chart and the template encompasses the interest of the various vulnerable groups to ensure smooth distribution exercise. At no point did any group complain because what we do is to ensure that if the groups are fifty, the first ten will be given at a particularly month while the others receive subsequently.
“As it is, if you look at the distribution pattern, you will agree with me that it has been going round effectively. We put in place a mechanism that ensures that the items get to the right people at the right time,” he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, said the government is committed to jerking up the number of entrepreneurs in the second year.
Badmus who expressed delight at the successful implementation of the Scheme since its introduction, said, “So far so good, this scheme has a success. We have been able to engage 50 entrepreneurs in the last one year and we are also looking at doubling this figure for the second year.”
