In a renewed drive to combat youth unemployment, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has officially inaugurated and inducted 10,000 young people into the Imole Youth Corps.
Speaking at the induction ceremony held at Freedom Park, Osogbo, Adeleke described the initiative as a key component of his administration’s broader strategy to address youth joblessness through both direct and indirect engagement across various sectors.
“This event marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to create job opportunities for our teeming youth. The Imole Youth Corps is designed as a transitional initiative to equip young people from diverse backgrounds with the skills and opportunities they need,” the Governor stated.
He further explained that the 10,000 youth, drawn from the state’s 332 political wards, will be deployed to provide essential services in health, security, environment, and education. According to him, the corps members will undergo training to enhance grassroots economic activities and contribute meaningfully to their assigned sectors.
Charging the newly inducted members to be dedicated and diligent in their duties, Adeleke urged them to justify the trust placed in them.
“Our administration is committed to tackling unemployment head-on. We recognize the challenge of widespread joblessness, and our first priority has been to create an enabling environment for job creation in both the public and private sectors,” he noted.
The Governor outlined key initiatives his government has implemented to boost employment, including financial support for small businesses through cooperative schemes, infrastructural upgrades, and the Agropreneur Programme.
“Through small business financing, we have provided operational loans to thousands of grassroots entrepreneurs, with over Four Billion Naira committed to our revolving loan scheme,” he revealed.
Adeleke also emphasized his administration’s commitment to local content in infrastructure projects, noting that local contractors and suppliers have been prioritized to ensure Osun’s economic resources remain within the state.
“I am happy to announce that, through our local content policy, business financing initiatives, and youth agropreneur programme, over 250,000 people have gained job opportunities. This number will continue to grow as we expand the agropreneur project across all 30 local government areas and Area Councils,” he explained.
To ensure the programme’s effectiveness, the Governor directed the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Olagunju Moshood Olalekan, to implement a performance evaluation system for monitoring and assessment.
“The activities of the Imole Youth Corps will be subjected to regular evaluation to ensure its objectives are met,” he assured.
In his address to the newly inducted corps members, Commissioner Olagunju Moshood Olalekan congratulated them and urged them to be good ambassadors of the programme.
“I commend Mr. Governor and the entire State Executive Council for the successful launch of this initiative. Governor Adeleke has consistently demonstrated his commitment to youth empowerment,” the Commissioner remarked.
With the induction of the Imole Youth Corps, Osun State takes another step forward in fostering employment opportunities and economic growth.
