Oyo State Government Approves N3BN as Economic Stimulus for Oyo Youths

As part of the post-covid-19 relief agenda of the World Bank, the Labour Intensive Public Works of Nigeria organised the first round of COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) programme for youths across 18 Local Government Areas in Oyo State.

The programme which is part of the broader emergency package of the World Bank expands access to livelihood support and food security services grants for poor and vulnerable households and firms across the country because, according to them, poverty and vulnerability levels were already high in the country before COVID-19.

The Commissioner, while delivering a speech on behalf of the Governor, described the programme as a welcome development considering the fact it will help hasten recovery from the effect of COVID-19, most especially on the youths.

According to him, the State government has “graciously see to the omnibus approval of over #3bn for NG-CARES and the immediate release of over #1bn in addition to all the delivery platforms to begin full implementation.”

The Commissioner also pledged that the State government will continue to partner with World Bank in sustainable development projects, poverty eradication, food security, youth empowerment, social inclusion and protection while maintaining that the State government is committed to providing necessary financial support and enabling environment for further interventions.

He assured the people that this first round has a total beneficiary of 1,404 persons across 18 Local Government Areas in Oyo State, with 78 persons aged 18 to 45 drawn from each Local Government and that this administration will continue to support the aspiration of the youths.

The eighteen Local Government Areas that benefited from the first round of the programme are Ibadan North East, Ibadan North West, Oluyole, Akinyele, Ido, Egbeda, Atiba, Ibarapa Central, Ibarap East, Ibarapa North, Kajola, Iwajowa, Olorunsogo, Ogo-Oluwa, Oriire, Saki East, Irepo and Surulere.