…As it reiterates Efforts to Reduce Social and Economic Inequality in the State
By Abisola Ariwodola
Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has reiterated the effort of his administration to continue to work to reduce social and economic inequality through targeted social programmes and interventions, as well as improved agricultural practices.
Governor Oyetola made this known at the flag off of Osun Post Covid 19 Economic Intervention programme put together by the State Government and Federal Ministry of Industry, Development and Commerce in collaboration with Bank of Industry as well as Small and Medium Enterprises Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
At the Skill Acquisition flag off Programme which held at the Industrial Development Centre, in Osogbo the state capital, the Governor stated that the objective of his administration is to stabilize micro economy, achieve good security, develop infrastructure, improve governance and improve public health and safe practices.
He stated that the programme was to mitigate negative impact of the pandemic on the economy and means of livelihood of Osun citizens, adding that his administration has decided on an economic strategy to generate 15,000 jobs,directly and indirectly, annually through the intervention programme.
Speaking further, Governor Oyetola added that the lockdown that followed the pandemic intimated a sudden fiscal crisis across states in Nigeria, and had presented serious economic and structural changes that would be battled for years to come.
He revealed that the sum of N100million naira will be disbursed as seed loans to beneficiaries to achieve desired objective for the launch which is starting with 2,000 participants, enjoining the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunities for their individual and collective benefit.
In his Goodwill message, the Speaker Osun House of Assembly, Rt Hon Timothy Owoeye applauded the efforts of the government to empower it’s citizens with skill acquisition, while also appreciating BOI, SMEDAN and other partner groups for collaborating the government on the vocational training empowerment.
The Speaker stated that there is an urgent need for everyone to invest in commerce and industry because it is beneficial, praying that the economic programme goes a long way in bettering the lives of Osun people.
Osun Speaker, Rt.Hon. Timothy Owoeye used the opportunity to request Governor Gboyega Oyetola to assent the Youth Development Commission Bill in order to position the State for the support of development institutions.
Also, the Commissioner for Human Resources and Capacity Building, Alhaja Latifat Giwa, commended the programme initiative, adding that the government of Governor Gboyega Oyetola has approved another Empowerment of 105 persons consisting of women, youths and persons with disabilities.
Alhaja Giwa said the forthcoming programme which is targeted to resucitate cottage industries, is not only for civil servants, but non civil servants as well.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives and Industry, Dr Bode Olaonipekun observed that Covid 19 has made people to lose their means of livelihood,hence the government has thought it fit to intervene by empowering affected people with necessary skill acquisition programme needed to survive.
He added that the Skill will run for three weeks in two major town in each senatorial district of the state, adding that registration will be on for a week for 2,000 participants who have Omoluabi card and who are Osun state indigenes.
Dignitaries at the Post Covid 19 Intervention Programme includes, Secretary to the State Government,Prince Wole Oyebamiji, Chief of Staff Mr Diji Charles Akinola, Head of Service, Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade, Commissioner for Political Affairs and Inter-governmental Relations,Mr Akeju Taiwo, Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Adebayo Adeleke, Special Adviser, Commerce and Industries, Mrs Christiana Ogunfolaju, Director General, Bureau of Social Services,Mr Richard Tinubu, Executive Secretary Board for Technical Education, Mr Yomi Omigbodun, Osun Head Bank of Industry, Dr Ojo-Owuro, SMEDAN Regional Head, Mr Gbenga Ogundeji among others.
