YESSO Employs Over 90,000 Youths In Osun
By Solomon Odeniyi
Over 90, 000 beneficiaries across the 30 local governments in Osun state have participated in the Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) since the inception of the scheme, the state Head of Operation, Sola Adetoye has said.
Adetoye who spoke yesterday during the inspection audit of the World Bank delegates to the state, YESSO noted that this was achieved in a single register of vulnerable households.
The state head of operation noted that Osun has the least number of participants as compared to other states based on the criteria set by the World Bank which stated that those within the ages of 18-35 who are not up to Junior Secondary School 3 in terms of education be admitted, describing the state as an advantaged state in terms of education.
He said, ”we have gone to the World Bank to relax the criteria for selection which is pegged at those within the ages of 18-35 who do not have up to JSS 3 in terms of education. This has affected our intake because Osun is an advantage state in terms of education. Based on this, we have fewer beneficiaries up till this moment.
“However, it has been relaxed up till SS3 and extended beyond 35 years of age. As a result, we have about 9,000 of them on the waiting list to join the over 1,500 already in the scheme.”
He lauded the state government for its interventions through the provision of enabling environment, adequate infrastructure, day-to-day operations of the scheme as well as prompt payment of the counterpart fund.
One of the World Bank delegates, Atiku Musa while assessing the scheme in the state said Osun was one of the state they appreciated on how the programme has been implemented, adding that the purpose of their visit was to spur them on in the area of their strength so that they can optimise the programme to the benefits of the beneficiaries.
He however hoped the government would expand the programme to get more people in as the state has gotten a register to additional 9,000 more beneficiaries to the scheme in the state by paying its counterpart fund.
He noted that the World Bank has amortized the 10 per cent counterpart fund to 5 per cent, get the 9,000 on board by paying up 6months after, urging the government to catch on this.
Mrs Olaoni Roseline, the vocal person for the skill for job a component of the YESSO scheme hinted that his unit is planning to train about 500 beneficiaries in various skills of their choice, adding that at the end of the three months training, the beneficiaries would be deployed to private sector operators to acquire more training as interns for 6 months.
One of the beneficiaries, Akinpelu Kolawole from Ejigbo local government said the programme has contributed immensely to his life, as he has been able to meet his immediate needs and that of family with the stipends he has been getting.
Another beneficiary, Kamoru Mumini from Olorunda local government Said with his savings from the programme he would be completing his education which he stopped due to lack money.
Ogundele Nofisat also from Olorunda said she had bought a sewing machine and just done her freedom from her boss with are savings, adding that she wished to save to rent a shop before the expiration of the programme.
She advised the government to see to the continuous existence of the programme to rid youth in the state of poverty.
