Osun State Food Support Scheme has fed over 240,000 citizens since the initiative was initiated in April 2021.
The Scheme has also helped to stimulate the state economy as local productions of goods have been boosted to enhance socio-economic activities.
Flagging off the eighth edition of the Scheme in Osogbo, the state capital, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola said the initiative has impacted greatly, the lives of the beneficiaries, particularly the vulnerable citizens that include the aged, widows, people living with disabilities, youths, among others.
Oyetola had in April inaugurated the Osun Food Support Scheme to mitigate the adverse impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on 30,000 vulnerable citizens on a monthly basis.
He explained that the beneficiaries were drawn from across the state, using the World Bank-sponsored Social Register, saying the initiative is part of his promise to prioritise the welfare of the people
While distributing the food items, Oyetola said his administration has recorded successes in its efforts to boost local food production, achieve food security and turn Osun into a food basket of the Southwest region.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji said the government is armed with a list of beneficiaries, their telephone numbers and contact addresses to assist in the distribution of the food items.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr. Olalekan Badmus commended the initiative which he said had made a meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He stated that the Scheme was designed with a view to effecting meaningful impact and adding value to other sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture and small-scale enterprises.
Badmus noted that an average of N100million is being spent on a monthly basis, saying the state has injected about N800million into her economy since the commencement of the programme in the last eight months.
On the integrity of the scheme, Bidmus said the government has the data and records of the beneficiaries and that random verification is carried out to confirm the receipt of the foods.
Nnenna.O
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