The Oyo State Government has commenced the distribution of the first batch of 1,000 bags of SAfER rice to vulnerable youth groups across the state as part of its ongoing efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship on residents.
The distribution exercise, being coordinated through the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development (AYD), officially commenced on Tuesday at the office of the Agency’s Chairman, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana, in Ibadan.
The initiative forms part of the state government’s Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme, designed to provide targeted relief and support to vulnerable segments of society while promoting social inclusion and youth welfare.
The palliative was released to the Agency by the Chairman of the Oyo State SAfER Committee, who also serves as the Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Chief Segun Ogunwuyi.
Speaking at the commencement of the exercise, Hon. Falana said the distribution underscores the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and well-being of young people across Oyo State.
He noted that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from vulnerable youth bodies across the state’s 33 local government areas to ensure transparency, fairness, and equitable distribution of the intervention.
According to him, the gesture reflects the government’s determination to mitigate the impact of current economic challenges on youths while strengthening their confidence in the state’s people-centred policies.
Falana urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the support, assuring them that the Makinde administration would continue to initiate programmes and interventions aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of young people.
He also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to complementing the state government’s development agenda by implementing initiatives that promote youth empowerment, inclusion and sustainable development.
Representatives of the beneficiary youth groups expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde and the Oyo State Government for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful. They pledged their continued support for programmes that prioritise the welfare and development of young people across the state.
The distribution of the first batch is expected to continue in phases until all designated vulnerable youth groups across Oyo State have received their allocations under the SAfER programme.
