EFFECT OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SCHEME ON BENEFICIARIES IN OSUN STATE EFFECT OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SCHEME ON BENEFICIARIES IN OSUN STATE

Abstract

The study examined the effect of Youth Empowerment Scheme on beneficiaries in Osun State. The specific objectives were to: ascertain the level of participation of beneficiaries in OYES activities and ascertain the livelihood outcomes of participation in OYES activities. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were employed to select 180 respondents from three senatorial zones for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and mean scores, while ordinary least square regression analysis was used to test the null hypothesis at 5% level of significance. The result revealed that re-orientation training (X= 3.93), OYES multimedia (X= 3.63), make up (X= 3.46) and O’Money (X= 3.25) were some of the OYES activities that recorded high level of participation. The result also revealed that increased income (= 3.53), increased well-being (X= 3.47) and provision of employment (X= 3.43) were some of the livelihood outcomes of participation in the OYES activities. The analysis revealed that participation in OYES activities had significant positive effects on increased income (2.286), employment provision (2.685) and increased wellbeing (2.393). The study concluded that participation in OYES activities resulted into notable livelihood outcomes such as increased income, increased well-being, provision of employment, reduced vulnerability/risks, enhanced social status and food availability. The study therefore recommended that OYES be sustained and expanded for continued promotion of employable skills, value orientation and leadership training aimed specifically at empowering beneficiaries for sustainable livelihoods