Osun free food scheme brings succour to 500,000 vulnerable households – Oyetola

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, says the state government free monthly food has brought succour to the less privileged and vulnerable households in the state.

The governor said this during the 17th edition of the free food distribution in Osogbo on Monday.

Oyetola said that 500,000 households had benefitted from the monthly free food scheme tagged “Ounje Ileri” since its inception in 2021.

The governor said that the positive feedback and impact of the Food Scheme on people of the state had encouraged its sustainability.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, the governor said that it was on record that the initiative had made life less burdensome to the less privileged in the state.

Oyetola also said that the free food distribution was a deliberate effort to revolutionalise agriculture, by encouraging young and old farmers.

“Our government’s agricultural programme has encouraged a good percentage of our youths to go back to the farm.

“If these young men and women are back to the farm planting cassava and other agricultural produce, then our avowed commitment to stimulate the economy and revamp the agricultural sector is yielding positive results.

“These concerted efforts, apart from the fact that they will assist and boost the economy of the state, will bring succour to the people who are hitherto faced with economic reality.

“Our choice of giving prominence to local production and staple foods such as garri, amongst other products, is to encourage the young entrepreneurs and scale up the activities of our local production”, he said.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr Olalekan Badmus, said the scheme had helped in building a number of entrepreneurs and raising youths to actualise their socio-economic dreams.

“We have been able to build a lot of entrepreneurs since the commencement of this scheme.

“This has an economic value-chain that has impacted greatly in the lives of the people.

“We have been doing everything to encourage our young ones to go back to the farm as the local production is on the top-notch,” he said.