The Osun State Government says it is targeting continuity of its monthly Food Support Scheme to the underprivileged.
The State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this while flagging off the 19th edition of the Programme.
Oyetola said the Scheme had come to stay in view of its wide acceptance by residents of the state.
According to him, the initiative which commenced in April 2021 as part of efforts of the government to bring succour to the most vulnerable residents of the state, had seen over 570,000 households directly benefitting.
The governor said: “This edition indeed marks the first of its kind as 570,000 households had benefitted directly across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.
“This is done with no recourse to political, religious and social affiliation. It has been appreciated by the people. In the last editions, we have done wheat, rice, beans, garri among others.
“Despite the fact that the price of rice continues to soar, despite the fact that logistics always posed a serious challenge and posed serious impact on the programme where we have flood ravaging parts of the country and food become essential commodities for the people, we kept faith with our promise.”
The Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, in his remarks, said the choice of rice for the 19th edition was informed by the need to balance the diet of the people and meet the immediate needs of the beneficiaries.
“We have in the past considered local producers and that is why we have been doing some of the local food items. But this time around, we felt it is also important to distribute rice to our people.
The aim of the programme is still very much intact, that is why we have remained very consistent”, he added.
The Head of Service of Osun state, Dr. Festus Oyebade, represented governor Oyetola at the event.
Olusola Akintonde
