200 Ondo Youths, 150 Others Benefit from FG’s Empowerment Scheme-FCT Perm Sec
FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Adesola Olusade (left), his wife, Mrs. Clara Adesola (right) and Deputy Governor, Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa (middle) at the State Government House, Akure, on Monday
By: Wisdom Acka
About 200 indigenous youths of Ondo State have benefitted from the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme, while 150 other aged persons have equally benefited from the Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme of the Federal Government.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Olusade Adesola, disclosed this while presenting food items donated by the Federal Government on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to the people of Ondo State.
Adesola, who expressed gratitude to the federal government for the gesture, showered encomium on President Buhari, describing him as a leader, who is committed to the socio-economic wellbeing of the citizens.
The food item, 30 tones of Garri, which was distributed to the people of Ondo in Akure, at the weekend is meant to cushion the effect of the high price of stable food items in the country.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the nationwide food distribution to Nigerians was a response to needs assessment, which indicated a growing concern on scarcity and high prices of food items, thus, making the Federal Government direct the release of food materials from strategic reserves for distribution to States of the Federation through Principal Government Officials.
His words: “We are here to deliver a message of His Excellency, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, and FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, to the good people of Ondo State.
“The essence of this visit is to demonstrate in clear terms, the concern of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for the people of Nigeria in general and the people of Ondo State, in particular,” he said.
Adesola explained that the 30 tones, which is about 1,200 bags of garri, would go a long way in providing reasonable food for the poor, and added that it was an indication that the Buhari-led government cared and showed concern about the welfare of Nigerians.
He recalled that the government has been implementing various people-friendly and social intervention programs such as; N-Cares, Traders Money, Farmer Money, and Conditional Cash Transfer, among others, which the people of Ondo State have also benefited from.
“This has shown that the government is pro-people and it has demonstrated this in many more ways in other activities”, he buttressed.
Adesola appealed that the items, be distributed only to deserving beneficiaries in the State, in order for the gesture to make the desired impact.
Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who received the items on behalf of the State, expressed gratitude to President Buhari, FCT Minister, and the Permanent Secretary, and pledged that the items would be distributed to the right persons; saying, “this will definitely get to the intended beneficiaries because it will go a long way to support some of the families that need it in the State”.
He appreciated the Permanent Secretary for delivering the items personally, describing him as an “Illustrious son of Ondo State, who has been representing the state well and we are indeed proud of you.”
Corroborating the Permanent Secretary, the Deputy Governor, who is also Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA), stated that the President’s action was a practical demonstration of love for all the States, especially those facing some hardship.
He also disclosed that the State Government had already mapped out modalities for the distribution as well as identified those who would be beneficiaries of the commodity.
