Date: 2017-01-28

The Kwara State Government says it will ensure the success of the people focused Social Intervention Programmes of the Federal government to alleviate the sufferings of the people.

The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed said this at the Kwara State Stakeholders Forum/Meeting on Special Intervention Projects, Strategies and Implementation, held at the banquet hall, opposite Government's house, Ilorin.

Governor Ahmed represented by the State Commissioner for Economy Planning and Development, Alhaji Wasiu Odewale, disclosed that the process of collection of data of the beneficiaries of the intervention projects was transparent and done during the tenure of Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The Governor noted that the programme was in line with the Shared prosperity programme of his administration and commended the Federal government for the programme which he said had impacted positively on the people.

In his address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Sports and Youths Development, Elder Ayoobola Samuel, said the stakeholder's forum was conveyed to share information about the implementation of the Federal Government's Social Intervention Projects.

Elder Ayoobola Samuel, who is the Kwara State Focal Person of the Social Intervention Projects, explained that the programme was aimed at reducing poverty an

According to him, socio-economic situation remains challenging with youth unemployment posing serious concerns to the government, saying that these are noticeable and worrisome in rural areas which are the concerns of the intervention projects to confront.

Elder Ayoobola Samuel noted that out of the five components of the Special Intervention Programme, three were active in the state, Youth Empowerment and Employment programme known as N-Power, Cash Transfer and GEEP, while the implementation of the remaining two, Home grown school feeding and STEN bursary programme would follow soon.

Also speaking, the Operational Head of the Conditional Cash Transfer, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Aminat Yahyah Bagudu, said the money is meant for the poor and vulnerable household under the expanded national social safety nets system where five thousand naira is being given to them monthly.

Hajia Bagudu explained that the beneficiaries are duly selected through a transparent, and objective community based targeting, while the money was given to them without stress.

She stated that twelve communities in twelve local governments are currently benefiting from the first phase of the programme, while the remaining four local government areas would soon be enjoying it.

The Senior Special Assistant on Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Zakariyah Babatunde appealed to the youths to key into the programme, saying that more programmes would soon be embarked upon for the youths.