Osun CSDP collaborates OYES on Empowerment as Osun government is applauded

State Government of Osun under the leadership of Governor Gboyega Oyetola has been commended by Osun Agency for Community and Social Development Project CSDP, in ensuring sustained empowerment of its Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, OYES cadets through its various Exit Program Trainings for the cadets.

The General Manager Osun Community and Social Development Project, Mrs Funmi Abokede made this known in Ife South Local Government, at the presentation of one million, five hundred and seventy-four thousand, and six hundred and twenty-five naira (N1,574,625.00) cheque from the approved Five million naira (N5,000,000.00), to grouped participants in local governments.

This comprises of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme OYES cadets and the Community and Social Development Project CSDP vulnerables in the collaborative empowerment programme of Palm Oil production mini project in The State of Osun.

Mrs Abokede who showed delight at the skill acquisition and business acumen of the trained beneficiaries stated that, the skill acquisition of turning Palm fruits into Palm Oil is a reputable skill that will not only empower the cadets, vulnerables and their community, but will also empower the local governments and the State physically and economically, moreso in the area of increased Internally Generated Revenue IGR.

She congratulated the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme beneficiaries and the vulnerables made into groups, drawn from Ife South and Atakumosa East Local Government from Osun East Senatorial district, Iwo and Ayedire Local Governments from Osun West Senatorial district, as well as Boripe and Odo-Otin Local Governments at Osun Central Senatorial district, adding that the presented cheque for procurement of needed equipment such as Palm Oil processing machine and other technical facilities will go a long way in ensuring production of Palm Oil for clients and markets.

In response, the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme Commandanté, Colonel EniIbukun Oyewole rtd, appreciated Mr Governor for approving and sustaining the continuity of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme OYES, despite paucity of funds in The State. He added that the skill acquisition of producing Palm Oil is one out of the hundred, of Exit Program Trainings made available to the OYES Cadets for Empowerment and Engagement in life outside the OYES, at their exit from the two years voluntary program.

Oyewole, the head of OYES also thanked the Osun Community and Social Development Project CSDP for collaborating with the scheme on the empowerment program of Palm Oil production. This is one of its kind in the history of The State of Osun.

Speaking further, the Commandanté stated that the beneficiaries of the Community development micro-projects in collaboration with Osun Community and Social Development Project CSDP, were trained in financial management of the business, identification of market and project management.

He described other areas of trainings for the beneficiaries as technical and commercial activities, commodity procurement, capital building, planning as well as store procedure, control and tools.

The OYES Commandanté maintained that the entrepreneurship skill acquisition which can be started with small funding, is a life long business venture which is prone to ownership, partnership and equity for economic benefit, adding that the Community and Social Development Project, CSDP World Bank collaboration with Osun governments', Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme OYES, empowerment programme targets alleviation of poverty, economy, efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability, and equal opportunity to achieve desirable result. This he assured, will lead to economic transformation for the OYES cadets and the vulnerables.