Yuletide: Over 12,000 residents benefit from OYCSDA psychosocial support

Over 12,000 people across Oyo State are to benefit from the 2024 Psychosocial Support Programme organised by the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA).

The programme, which was designed by the World Bank and Oyo State government under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), was another way to give succour to the less privileged like widows, orphans and people with special needs, was flagged off at Alegongo Community Hall, Akobo, Lagelu Local Government, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

In his keynote address, the OYCSDA Chairman, Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga said like the 251 micro-projects that have benefited over 355,000 beneficiaries in healthcare, education, water and sanitation and erosion control sectors, the psychosocial support programme was targeted at over 12,000 inhabitants across the State.

He said the programme encapsulated provision of welfare items like foodstuffs, funds and counseling sessions for the wellbeing of indigent and vulnerable people, which would give them the capacity to deal with the demands and challenges of everyday life, as well as boosting their confidence and energy to partake in the implementation and sustainability of micro-projects in their communities.

“These supports are granted to over 12,000 among the most vulnerable in our communities to enhance their ability to deal with demands and challenges of everyday life as well as boosting their confidence and energy to participate in the implementation of micro-projects in their communities.

“It is pertinent to appreciate God and the amiable Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for making these efforts become successful through funding and encouragement, under the NG-CARES programme, the Agency has facilitated the implementation of 251 micro-projects in 114 communities across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, while over 355,000 beneficiaries have being recorded for these micro-projects,” he added.

The General Manager, OYCSDA, Mr Salau Jelili reiterated the commitment of the agency to care for the ‘poorest of the poor’ category in the State through interventions in critical sectors of life with micro-projects, while the psychosocial support programme was meant to add a welfare fillip to the households, to enhance social, economic, physical and psychological well-being of the vulnerable population.

He charged the beneficiaries to continue to give needed support to the Seyi Makinde-led administration, so as to keep benefiting from dividends of democracy.

Present at the event was a strong ally of the State Governor, Hon. Babatunde Tijani (Double-T), the Executive Chairman, Lagelu Local Government, Hon. Mudashiru Kamorudeen, the State Woman Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaja Wulemot Ibitoye and a member of Oyo State’s Pilgrims’ Board, Alhaja Fatimoh Oluwa, among others.