Government of Osun state has commenced the distribution of locally produced food items to 30,000 vulnerable residents of the state under its Food support scheme.
The scheme, which started as part of government efforts to cushion the devastating effects of Covid-19 pandemic, has now become a monthly exercise.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, who represented Governor Oyetola at the flag-off ceremony said the Food Support Scheme represented a critical way for the government to engage with the people.
Oyebamiji noted that the 11th edition of the programme was deliberately conceived for an all-round socio-economic stability of the state, since all the food items were sourced locally.
“Our administration is one that prides itself on the people. As such, the Governor has great interest in building the people and the economy of the state.
“If we encourage young men and women to go into farming, we, as a government, have the responsibility to buy their products or support their efforts”.
“The production of garri locally is an attestation to the fact that there is wealth to be obtained in farming. And if more young people go into it, we will be able to boost local production of food, provide more employment and boost our state economy”, he said.
Oyebamiji added that government’s social intervention was not just to give nutritional support to the people but to empower them economically by encouraging farming and promoting entrepreneurship among them.
“You will agree with me that this is a noble gesture to ensure that local content is actually achieved. This has been able to allow cassava and plantain growers and processors to grow and benefit one way or the other”.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Eng. Olalekan Badmus, in his remarks, said the Oyetola administration would sustain the scheme and urged Osun youths to key into the programme.
Dominica Nwabufo
