… as Osamaye charges facilitators on accountability, transparency, effective service delivery
The Ondo State Government has flagged off the distribution of digital work tools to trained Ward Facilitators under the Nigeria for Women Program Scale Up Project (NFWP-SU), as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots implementation, improve accountability and expand women’s economic empowerment across the state.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Bosede Osamaye, who performed the flag-off, charged the facilitators to deploy the tools responsibly, uphold transparency in beneficiary mobilisation and ensure that eligible women are not excluded from the programme.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Osamaye reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving women’s livelihoods and ensuring that women have the support, knowledge and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the development of Ondo State.
She described the digital tools as essential instruments for effective service delivery, improved communication, accurate record-keeping and efficient monitoring of project activities.
The Commissioner explained that the responsibilities of Ward Facilitators go beyond information dissemination, noting that they are central to mobilising women, facilitating the formation of Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), supporting group meetings and activities, maintaining accurate records and submitting timely reports.
The facilitators, she added, are expected to guide women on savings, financial discipline, group management and income-generating opportunities to enable them to improve their economic circumstances.
Osamaye stressed the need for fairness and impartiality in the selection and mobilisation of beneficiaries, warning against political, religious or personal considerations in the discharge of their duties.
She urged the facilitators to treat every woman with respect, demonstrate honesty and maintain the highest standards of professionalism, while listening to the concerns of beneficiaries and encouraging their active participation.
“You must also ensure that the selection and mobilisation of beneficiaries are transparent, inclusive, and free from political, religious, or personal considerations,” she charged.
The Commissioner further reminded the facilitators that the digital tools are public project assets that must be protected against damage, misuse and personal use unrelated to project activities.
She encouraged them to apply the lessons acquired during their training and embrace technology as a means of improving their performance and accountability, describing them as agents of positive change entrusted with the responsibility of transforming the economic lives of women in the state.
Osamaye also appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for his continued support for women’s empowerment and development, while commending the NFWP-SU project management team and other stakeholders for their contributions to the implementation of the initiative.
In her remarks, the Ondo State Project Coordinator of the NFWP-SU, Dr Mrs Jumoke Bakare, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for the tremendous support he has continued to provide for the successful implementation of the project in the state.
Bakare noted that the Governor’s support had remained important to the project’s efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment and expand access to financial opportunities at the grassroots.
She also lauded the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Bosede Osamaye, for her consistent guidance and support, which she said had contributed to efforts towards ensuring the successful implementation of the programme in Ondo State.
The Project Coordinator expressed appreciation to the state government and other stakeholders for their commitment to the initiative, while underscoring the importance of sustained collaboration in achieving the project’s objectives.
Earlier, the Head of Operations, Ogun State Project Coordinating Unit of the NFWP-SU, Mr Rasheed Ajibade, commended the Ondo State Government for the prompt procurement of the digital working tools for the Ward Facilitators.
Ajibade noted that the timely provision of the tools demonstrated the state’s commitment to equipping frontline project personnel with the resources needed to carry out their assignments effectively.
He urged the facilitators to make productive use of the equipment to strengthen their field operations and support the achievement of the project’s objectives.
Also speaking, the leader of the delegation from the Federal Project Coordinating Unit of the NFWP-SU, Fatima Iliya Maji, charged the Ward Facilitators to put the lessons learnt during their training into practice and utilise the digital tools with honesty, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility.
Maji emphasised the importance of integrity in handling the equipment and carrying out their duties, noting that the effectiveness of the project at the grassroots would depend significantly on the commitment of the personnel entrusted with its implementation.
The distribution of the digital working tools represents an important step in strengthening the operational capacity of Ward Facilitators, whose activities are critical to the mobilisation and support of Women Affinity Groups across participating communities.
Through the WAG model, women are encouraged to develop a culture of savings, access loans within their groups, invest in their businesses and pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities. The model is designed to promote financial inclusion, collective responsibility and greater economic independence among women.
The event reaffirmed the shared responsibility of government officials and frontline facilitators in ensuring that the programme delivers meaningful benefits to women and contributes to inclusive economic development in Ondo State.
