Aladesesan Olaoye || The Oyo State Government in its efforts to generate
employment for the unemployed youths in the state has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Organized Private Sector
(OPS) on Skills for job component for the 190 Youth Empowerment and
Social Support Operations (YESSO) beneficiaries.
To complement this effort, the government also went ahead to to
facilitate another agreement with a private company called Hills
Harvest Limited on the promotion of fruits and vegetable businesses to
reduce post-harvest loss on the part of farmers.
Oyo state, especially the Northern parts is known for the production
of agricultural produce, especially fruits and vegetables which are
produced yearly in large quantity. The Areas in the state notable for
fruits production are Oyo and villages around it and Afijio local
government with Fiditi as major producer of fruits in the local
government.
Sources hinted that, the agreements signed by the state government
became imperative as a result of wastages being experienced by farmers
who are without storage facilities. W
With this latest arrangement, farmers would be able to produce and
supply companies that would process their proceeds. The state
government is also planning to liaise with the Raw materials and
Development Council (RMDC) for the other industries to use the produce
as raw materials in their factories.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Yomi Oke explained on
at the signing of the MOU that it is part of the prerequisite for any
participating state under the scheme, adding that it is to ensure
smooth implementation and sustainability of the operation.
The YESSO programme was designed in close partnership between the
federal government and some states in Nigeria including Oyo State with
support operation from the World Bank and Nigeria’s commitment to
poverty reduction by permitting the poor people of the country to
access increased opportunities for youth employment and social service
delivery.
Oke admonished the OPS members to expose the beneficiaries to training
that would allow them compete favourably in the local market and
self-reliance, assuring that the state government will adhere strictly
to the content of the MOU.
Speaking, the State Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Mr. Abimbola
Adekanmbi, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr.
David Olatunde assured the gathering of prompt release of fund for
the programme, noting that it has been included in the current year
budget estimate.
In his address, the Director General of National Directorate of
Employment (NDA) Dr. Nasir Ladan, who was represented by the South West
Zonal Director, Mrs. Safar Adeola encouraged the beneficiaries to make
judicious use of the opportunity given them to learn.
The representatives of Ibadan Chambers of Commerce, Trades Men and
Artisans of Nigeria Association and the Nigeria Association of Small
and Medium Enterprise, Messsrs Sola Abodunrin, Tajudeen Isola and
Tunji Aleem charged the beneficiaries to project themselves as good
trainees, promising that they will adequately be exposed to the
necessary training they deserve.
At the signing of the MOU with Hills Harvest Limited recently, the
State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural
Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi said that the deal signed with the
agricultural marketing firm was aimed at preserving perishable produce
with limited life span and increase income generation for the farmers.
Oyewole stressed further that the partnership would afford farmers the
opportunity to acquire skills that would assist them in producing
standard produce suitable for exportation, hinting that cold ware
houses will be built in agricultural zones of the state and managed
under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with a view to
reducing post-harvest loss to minimal percent.
The commissioner reiterated the commitment of Oyo State Government in
making Agriculture a profitable business for all and sundry, saying
that the government is on the verge of expanding the dams in the state
to make irrigation farming convenient and profitable for concerned
farmers.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Hills Harvest Limited, Deji
Rotimi assured farmers in the state of mutually benefited arrangements
by receiving their produce at profitable rates, adding that ware
houses will be built based on climatic condition of each agricultural
zones of the state to prevent spoilage and make the produce
presentable at the global market
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has said that the full weight of the law will
be applied on anybody caught vandalizing government properties,
disclosing that one Ademola Ibrahim caught vandalizing solar powered
streetlight is being prosecuted
Similarly, the government has urged the people to serve at the
watchdog of government properties as well as informing the security
agencies of any trespass they notice
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye
Arulogun, in a statement on Monday, said that the incessant theft and
vandalisation of street and traffic light installation parts by the
men of the underworld is thwarting government’s efforts to illuminate
major roads in the state
Arulogun disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force, Yemetu Divisional
Headquarter arrested and charged one Mr. Ademola Ibrahim, who was
caught in the act of vandalizing solar powered street light along
Total Garden/Mokola Road (Queen Elizabeth Road) Ibadan to the
Magistrate Court 1, Iyaganku, Ibadan for prosecution
According to the Commissioner, “We have observed with dismay the
attitude of some individuals who vandalise government property. The
street light panel along Queen Elizabeth Road, UCH was stolen and this
has caused street lighting around the area to malfunction, throwing
the city into darkness. The same thing is happening to the street
lights around Jericho area.
“We have notified the security agencies about the activities of these
vandals. Anybody caught will be dealt with and the full weight of law
will be applied. We will not tolerate anyone thwarting our
developmental efforts and causing a breach of security.
“We want to call on the citizens to be vigilant as well. The
government cannot do it alone and we cannot be everywhere at the same
time. This is one of the key reasons for the government’s Safe
Security Initiative. We want the people to support us by engaging in
community policing.” the government spokesman explained.