Osun State Government has stressed the need for women empowerment as key to effectively combating and reducing poverty in the society.
Stressing this through the Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Chief (Mrs) Ayobola Awolowo, the government noted that women empowerment is a powerful tool for the reduction of poverty geared towards
improving the overall well-being of the people in any given community.
She spoke during an empowerment program for indigent women at Atakunmosa East Local Government Area of the state, which was organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs in conjunction with the World Bank.
The programme, which specifically aimed at reducing poverty among vulnerable women across the state, saw the teeming beneficiaries smiling home with various poverty alleviation working tools including grinding machines, deep freezers and generators among others.
In her opening remarks, Mrs Awolowo stressed the resolve of the Ademola Adeleke administration in Osun state to prioritise women’s welfare.
She said the distribution of the poverty alleviation working tools being supported by the World Bank, will no doubt provide necessary soft landing in form of essential support to the most vulnerable of the women in the society.
Mrs Awolowo also expressed her gratitude to Governor Adeleke and the World Bank for teeming up to fight the ugly menace of poverty among women.
She advised the beneficiaries to use the items for the purposes they are intended, but not to sell them.
Mrs. Awolowo added that the representatives of the World Bank are on ground and would be monitoring how the items are being utilised effectively or otherwise.
Also in her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Abimbola Babatunde expressed gratitude to Governor Adeleke for providing the opportunity to implement the program with the support of the World bank.
She was particularly delighted at the due recognition accorded women
and their important roles in the community.
Also speaking, the state Focal Officer of the Nigeria For Women Project, Mr Folorunso Tomori said the empowerment program was meant to banish poverty and hardship as being faced by women.
According to him, the program was as a result of the state government’s efforts to identify and address the challenges being faced by women.
Representatives of the beneficiaries including Mrs Folakemi Ojoade, and Mrs Ajimopo thanked Governor Adeleke and the World Bank for the humanitarian gestures.
At the occasion among others were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Children Affairs, Hon. Sekinat Temilade Halid; Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Hon. Soji Fagboun; Directors; Deputy Directors; Desk Officers; and staff of the Ministry.
