Among the three basic necessities of life, that is food, clothing and shelter, food is ranked the most important necessity that ensures the survival of every mankind. Life does not go into extinction as a result of food we are able to live on. It is quite possible to live without clothing, shelter, education etc but it becomes impossicant to thrive with empty stomach. No wonder the Yoruba adage says that “Ti ounje ba ti kuro ninu ise, ise bu se”, this literally means that poverty becomes less severe when food is available. Based on the foregoing, Governor Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola has seen the need to put smiles on the faces of the good people of State of Osun by making food items available every month to cushion the effect of the dwindling economy in the country. With this kind gesture of Alhaji Oyetola’s led administration which is second to none in Nigeria, there is a great need to under-study the impact of this lofty programme on the micro-economy vis-a-vis the side of the citizenry to this scheme in order to further applaud the Government for her sensitivity to the plight of the masses.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Osun State has a Human Development Index HDI of 0.609 and an unemployment rate of 15.3%. The Statistics showed that Osun has the best statistics in the southwest in human development as the rate of poverty in Osun has reduced to a minimal of 8.2%.
In other to fulfill his promise of alleviating poverty and bringing solace to the people of Osun, Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Ist April 2021 flagged off a food support scheme to provide food for 30,000 vulnerable citizens of Osun State monthly. This scheme was designed to take care of the vulnerable, the aged, religious bodies, students, youth associations, artisans, people living with disabilities, market men and women.
The initiative has since then had great multiplier effects on the economy of the state. At the moment, the scheme has fed over 300,000 individuals who at the same time took the food to their families, neighbours, kinsmen and friends hereby banishing hunger in the state.
Another applaudable thing done by the government was involving the traders in the state for the supplies of these food items. This development has so much increased the economy of the state and made the entrepreneurs smile on the way to their banks. Hence, causing an increase in internally generated revenue of the state.
In addition, the scheme has also helped to curb psychological trauma occasioned by hunger and moral decadence that hunger births among couples, children and youths. Several people get their income as a result of labour job they are engaged to do like loading, off-loading and so on. Also, transporters have cause to smile when being hired to move the food items to different places in the State from the centre.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola is really the man of the people who deserves to continue in office till 2026. This scheme introduced by his administration devoided of party affiliations should be celebrated. The well-meaning individuals and societies should support the governor in bringing succour to the people, alleviating poverty and banishing hunger hereby achieving the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Continue Reading
PS: This write-up is an extract from the survey conducted randomly within Osun State by the Directorate of Research, Statistics and Planning, Dr. Desmond Ojumu Foundation, Ijebu-Jesa, State of Osun.
(07057851632,07034447881/ www.ojumufoundation.org).
