About 12,000 people across Oyo State have benefited from the 2024 Psychosocial Support Programme, organized by the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA).
The programme, which was designed by the World Bank and Oyo State government under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), was another way to give succor to the less privileged like widows, orphans and people with special needs, was flagged off at Alegongo Community Hall, Akobo, Lagelu Local Government, Ibadan on Tues
Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga, OYCSDA chairman, in his keynote address, said that like the 251 micro-projects that have benefited over 355,000 beneficiaries in healthcare, education, water and sanitation and erosion control sectors, the psychosocial support programme was targeted at over 12,000 inhabitants across the state.
He said that the programme encapsulated provision of welfare items like foodstuffs, funds and counseling sessions for the wellbeing of indigent and vulnerable people, which would give them the capacity to deal with the demands and challenges of everyday life, as well as boosting their confidence and energy to partake in the implementation and sustainability of micro-projects in their communities.
“These supports are granted to over 12,000 among the most vulnerable in our communities to enhance their ability to deal with demands and challenges of everyday life as well as boosting their confidence and energy to participate in the implementation of micro-projects in their communities.
Read also: Yuletide: NSCDC deploys 28,300 operatives nationwide to safeguard critical infrastructure
“It is pertinent to appreciate God and the amiable Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde for making these efforts become successful through funding and encouragement, under the NG-CARES programme, the agency has facilitated the implementation of 251 micro-projects in 114 communities across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, while over 355,000 beneficiaries have been recorded for these micro-projects,” he added.
Salau Jelili, general manager, OYCSDA, reiterated the commitment of the agency to care for the ‘poorest of the poor’ category in the State through interventions in critical sectors of life with micro-projects, while the psychosocial support programme was meant to add a welfare fillip to the households, to enhance social, economic, physical and psychological well-being of the vulnerable population.
He charged the beneficiaries to continue to give needed support to the Seyi Makinde-led administration, so as to keep benefiting from dividends of democracy.
Present at the event were; Babatunde Tijani (Double-T), a strong ally of the governor, Mudashiru Kamorudeen, chairman, Lagelu Local Government, Wulemot Ibitoye, State Woman Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and a member of Oyo State’s Pilgrims’ Board, Fatimoh Oluwa, among others.
Meanwhile, Oyo State has ranked third in the league of states paying the highest minimum wage in Nigeria.
While Lagos and River states, with ample natural resources, approved ₦85,000 as minimum wage, Oyo State will pay ₦80,000.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp