At least 30 thousand women in Akure North Local Government Area are set to enjoy the benefits of the World Bank supported Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up project that has commenced in Ondo State.
At an Advocacy and Sensitisation programme held at the Àkúré North Local Government Secretariat, Itaogbolu, the Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Bosede Osamaye urged women to take advantage of the initiative aimed at empowering women aged 18 and above with identified sources of livelihoods.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Oluseyi Odusola, the Commissioner applauded the Aiyedatiwa administration for paying the counterpart funds that enabled Ondo State to partake in the empowerment drive.
She noted that Ondo State “is lucky at this time because Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa did not waste time to pay the counterpart fund of the state. This has opened a new vista of hope for women empowerment and development in Ondo State.”
Explaining the details of the project to the women, the State Project Coordinator of the Nigeria for Women Program Scale Up Project in Ondo State, Dr Mrs Jumoke Bakare stressed the importance of participation in accordance with the laid down principles such as the set up of Women Affinity Groups, WAGs.
She said the “groups would enhance sisterhood, group decision making and individual decisions on critical issues. The beauty of this project is that it is Community-oriented as residents are the drivers of the activities.”
The State Project Coordinator also took time to explain the step-by-step approach of the project and the need for women to support the initiative.
In their goodwill messages, the Ogbolu of Itaogbolu, Oba Idowu Faborode, represented by the Chief Imam of the Community, Alhaji Suleiman Ìkorò, the Òkìtì of Iju, Oba Amos Adelakun Farukanmi, represented by Chief Oloro Ogunbowale, the Iyalaje of Itaogbolu, Chief Toyin Jinadu and the Osemawe of Iju, Chief Enikanoselu Aarinola lauded the objectives of the project and pledged their support for the initiative.
