Governor of Osun State, Mr Gboyega Oyetola on Thursday inaugurated the steering committee for the Nigeria COVID-19 Actions and Recovery Stimulus as part of activities towards reducing the impacts of COVID-19 on the residents of the state.
N-CARES is an initiative of the federal government in partnership with the World Bank. It has plan to spend 750m US Dollars for all states and the federal capital territory.
The inauguration was done at the council chambers in Osogbo, on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Members of the Committee are the Commissioners for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Olalekan Yinusa; Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji; Commissioner for Rural Development, Segun Olanibi; Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Yemi Lawal; Commissioner for Agriculture, Dayo Adewole; General Manager, Osun Community and Social Development Agency, Funmi Abokede; among others.
Speaking shortly before the inauguration, Governor Oyetola charged members of the committee to put in their best towards ensuring that Osun gets maximum benefits from the programme.
Oyetola said Osun is known to always come first in such project, urging Committee members to follow steps and procedures as laid down by the World Bank and the Federal Government.
“I know members of the committee are people with proven character and tracked record. I want to urge you to put in your best towards ensuring that Osun benefit maximally in the project. Ensure you follow the procedures diligently towards a better results.
“We know the project is result-based but Osun has always come out first in such programmes and I believe you will make us proud this time too. We have several programmes for our people and funding is very essential.” Oyetola said.
Earlier in his address, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Olalekan Yinusa commended the governor for “always providing leadership”.
Yinusa explained that the essence of the programme was to pilot recovery from the COVID-19 impact on the economy. He added that Osun CSDA, Fadama and PWF are the platforms selected for the execution of the project in Osun.
“Last year, there was COVID-19 pandemic which shut down the economy of the world. Its impact became more pronounced on the Nigerian economy because it emanated from China which is the highest consumer of crude oil that our economy rests on. So governments come together to find a way out of the impact and this is one of the programmes. N-CARES is a partnership project with the World Bank.
“It covers Social protection, agriculture and micro project that are center on the development of Osun economy. Residents that meet up with the criteria will have access to it. Like famers and others.” The Commissioner added.
