By Nofisat Marindoti
As against the assertion that the Youth Empowerment Scheme of the State Government of Osun, O’YES is for jobless people and those who have no future ambition, a cadet, Abass Olorungbebe, has posited that the scheme is actually for serious minded people who knows what they want in life.
In a chat with Osun Defender, Olorungbebe explained how he bought a land, started the construction and bought cocoa seedlings which he plants on his farm, all from the savings of the stipend he got from the scheme.
The cadet stated that that the scheme is an avenue for serious minded people to serve their communities while also earning a living and planning a future on it.
Another cadet also testified to this with his own success story, Adeyemo Idowu, who owns a primary and nursery school in Ofatedo, Egbedore Local Government area, said he joined the scheme in 2015 and after saving the salary, started his school in 2016.
Idowu said the school which now has 57 pupils with 6 staff, is a proof the stipend from the scheme could be put together to do something great.
A team of four, including three women and a man who are all cadets of the scheme, are also making waves. The cadets were part of those taught how to make colours for painting houses, how to mix it and how to paint houses too.
Showing off their latest project, an MSSN mosque in Ikire painted by them, the cadets expressed their gratitude to the State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola who initiated the scheme which has changed their lives.
Another Cadet, Shina Saheed told our correspondent how he used the money he got from the savings of his salary to upgrade his business.
Saheed who sells movies and also lent it out, disclosed that he had been able to also get a land.
Commending the State Governor and appreciating him for his interest in the youths and their development, Yekeen Abduljelili also known as O’Welder, who makes doors and other welding related work, narrated how he started the business with the money he was able to put together from the scheme.
Abduljelili who stated that he has also been able to get a land, added that he had gone to various seminars and programmes through the scheme.
“I specifically want to appreciate the State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his support to the youths, for the initiation of this programme, it has really helped lives including mine.
“Because we were always told to have multiple sources of revenue, I and my other colleagues started a thrift contribution and when I collected my own money, I started this business. Later we started another contribution and I bought a land with it.
“I am so happy and fulfilled today, all thanks to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. I am really proud to be a cadet of the O’YES scheme and one of those who benefited from it.”
