Famodun lauds Oyetola's food revolution, canvasses emulation of same by other governors

By KOLA OLABISI

Osun State Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Prince  Famodun Adegboyega , has applauded the state Governor Adegboyega Oyetola  food revolution which was flagged off with pomp and pageantry in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday.

The programme tagged 'Osun Food Support Scheme' which is first of its kind across the country, is targeted towards 30,000 vulnerable persons across the state monthly.

In his address on the occasion, Famodun stated that such people-oriented programme was a product of an administration that has been thinking outside the box.

The state party chairman said it would not be out of tune if other state governments making up the Federal Republic of Nigeria could emulate this kind gesture of Governor Oyetola in banishing hunger in the state.

He stated that the timing of the Oyetola food revolution was apposite more so as one of the reasons adduced for ENDSARS crisis across the country was hunger which resulted into looting of shops, warehouses and houses of eminent Nigerians.

Famodun enjoined all the stakeholders in the programme to effectively complement the efforts of Governor Oyetola by engaging in same with honesty and commitment.

In his words: "There shouldn't be discrimination in the mode of the distribution of the food items. Give to everyone including the opposition.

"It would be recalled that even Jesus Christ was magnanimous enough to have fed his enemies in the holy Bible.

"I am happy that everyone has attested to the success of this programme which is a sign of additional good things to come to the people of the state", the state party chairman assured.

In his address, the elated Governor Oyetola disclosed that the project was a way of extending dividends of democracy to the people in the informal sector of the economy as they also have the right to benefit from the government.

He said, with the stability of his administration in the prompt and full payment of workers' salaries which has been a mystery to him, he thought of how to ensure that those who are not government workers too could be made to be partakers in the enjoyment of the dividends of democracy.

According to the governor, "for effective administration, the scheme will target 30,000 vulnerable persons monthly; people living with disabilities and special needs in all the local government areas.

"The poor and the vulnerable in churches will be reached through the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN); the needy and the poor in the Islamic faith will be reached through Osun Muslim community; artisans through their associations.

"The needy among other ethnic groups; traditional worshippers and petty traders through Iyalojas and Babalojas while youth organisations and students' associations are not exempted", he explained.

Governor Oyetola who disclosed that the programme would run throughout the life of his government tasked the committee in charge of the project to ensure that it is being handled without any hindrance.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye, observed that the programme was laudable and has a lot of advantages for Oyetola's administration.

His words: "This gesture of Governor Oyetola has made us proud and it will enhance the re-election of the governor.

"The governor, with this programme, is pumping more money into the state economy as its multiplier effect.

"Governor Oyetola has shown that he is a good and worthy leader who is interested in the welfare of the downthroden masses in the society.

"Be rest-assured that the state lawmakers under my leadership are solidly behind you", Owoeye stated.

Traditional rulers like the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Akanbi and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, who spoke on behalf of all other monarchs in attendance, also lauded the programme.

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*OLABISI is the Media Aide to the Osun State APC Caretaker Chairman.