Adeleke unveils 10,000 Imole Youth corps to tackle youth unemployment
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday launched the Imole Youth Corps, engaging 10,000 youths across 332 wards in the state.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at Freedom Park in Osogbo, Adeleke reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment, stating that over 250,000 jobs had been created in the last two years.
He explained that the program aims to provide job opportunities and skills training in health, security, environment, and education.
The governor described the Imole Youth Corps as “a transitional arrangement designed to provide opportunities for youth from all walks of life.”
He said, “Today’s gathering is a continuation of our efforts to provide job opportunities for our teeming youth. 10,000 youths, spread across the 332 political wards, are engaged to provide services in the areas of health, security, environment, and education.”
Adeleke assured that “the newly enrolled Imole Youth Corps members will be trained to deliver support services across the grassroots economy and sectors.”
The governor charged the Imole Youth Corps members to demonstrate strong commitment and diligence in their assigned roles.
Speaking further on the efforts of his government to tackle the unemployment crisis, he said, “Our administration is focused on tackling the unemployment crisis. We are aware of the widespread joblessness among the youth.”
“Our first decision is to create an enabling environment for job creation by both the government and the private sector. Some of the actions taken so far by the administration include providing financial support to small businesses through cooperative movements, statewide infrastructure upgrades, and the recent launch of the agropreneur program.”
“Through small business financing, this administration has provided lifelines and operational loans to thousands of grassroots entrepreneurs. Over N4 billion has so far been committed to this revolving loan scheme.”
“Our government is also enforcing local content in the implementation of the state’s infrastructure projects. We engage local contractors, who, in turn, employ local technicians, thereby imparting new skills. Additionally, local suppliers are patronized, ensuring that Osun’s money stays within Osun.”
“I am happy to announce that, through our local content policy, financial access to businesses, and the ongoing youth agropreneur program, over 250,000 people in our population have been provided with job opportunities. These figures are set to increase as we launch the agropreneur project in each of the 30 local governments and Area Councils,” the governor explained.
He also directed the Commissioner for Youth Development, Moshood Olagunju, to enforce a performance evaluation system to ensure the program’s goals are met.
The commissioner, while congratulating the Imole Corps members, tasked them with being good ambassadors of the newly created youth engagement platform.
He added that Governor Adeleke has consistently demonstrated his love and passion for youth development.
