‘Imole Youth Corps’ Yet To Commence One Year After Cancellation Of O’YES

Today (Friday, February 16, 2024) is exactly one year since Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration dissolved the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES).

About 20,000 OYES cadets were laid off by the government as a result of the cancellation of the scheme.  

The government immediately announced the replacement of OYES with the Imole Youth Corps.

There were condemnations from some members of the public when the O’YES dissolution was announced.

But Adeleke’s spokesman, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, noted that the dissolution was to ensure meaningful and proper youth engagement in the state.

He said: “In fulfilling one of the electoral promises of Governor Adeleke in ensuring meaningful and proper youth engagement in the state, a new scheme code-named Imole Youth Corps is hereby put in place to engage our teeming youths in the state.

“Application forms will be available for prospective youths in all 30 LGs, including the Ife East Area Office of the State, free of charge beginning on Friday, February 17, 2023.”

But the Imole Youth Corps is yet to see the light of day one year later.

OSUN DEFENDER, in its July 21, 2023, edition, published a report titled ‘Absence of Community Workers Leaves Osun Roads Dirty’.

The medium had observed that major roads in Osogbo, the state capital, and other towns in the state have become dirty with the absence of community service workers. 

It was noted that members of the O’YES who were sacked by Adeleke had for years been responsible for the cleaning of the roads

The absence of a replacement for the laid-off youths has turned the roadsides into an eyesore, it was noted.

Efforts to get the reaction of the state government proved abortive, as calls put through to the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, were not picked up.

Also, text messages sent to his WhatsApp and phone were not replied to as of the time of filling this report.