Kogi Traditional Ruler Endorses Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up Project, Calls for Inclusivity, Sustainability »

By Yemi Balogun

The Nigeria For Women Program Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) has officially launched in Kogi State, accompanied by a strong appeal for inclusiveness and sustainability of the program by the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Tijani.

The Ohinoyi made the appeal when the Kogi State Project Coordinating Unit of NFWP-SU paid a sensitization/advocacy visit to the Ohinoyi at Okene to officially introduce the project to the Traditional Ruler

The Traditional Ruler, who commended the initiative of the NFWP-SU in considering the empowerment of Women in Kogi State, noted that the Council of Chiefs received the news of the program with great pleasure as it will help to engage the women meaningfully and make them economically strong to contribute to the well-being of their families.

He urged Government to remove all forms of barriers that could deny the Women from being empowered as they constitute a great percentage of the people driving the economy of the Country.

The Ohinoyi praised the State Project Team for their commitment towards the successful implementation of the project and advised the team not to relent efforts at ensuring that the objectives of the program is actualized in the State.

He thereafter, released his blessings for the success of the program and enjoined his subjects to embrace the program to turn their economic status around for the better.

In her remarks, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Acharu Okpanachi said the NFWP-SU is out to improve the livelihoods of women in the area of empowerment and at the same time reach out to the vulnerable in the State.

She explained Government’s effort in putting Women’s issues on the front burner in terms of policies and programs which has in time past brought relief to the women making life worthwhile for them. This she maintained the present administration of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo would continue to do to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the socio-economic growth of their immediate family and the society at large.

Delivering her speech, the State Project Coordinator, Pastor (Mrs.) Esther Ameadaji PhD , extolled the quality leadership of the State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for their commitment towards the approval and payment of Counterpart fund for the take-off of the project which saw to its official implementation in the State last year.

Explaining the key objectives of the project to the Royal Father and members of the Ebira Traditional Council of Chiefs at the Ohinoyi Palace, Dr. Esther Ameadaji said the team were in the Palace of the Ohinoyi to seek his blessings for the project which focuses on providing skill acquisition, financial inclusion and access to resources to enhance women’s livelihoods, addressing systematic barriers to women’s prosperity.

She told the Ohinoyi that the project has already proven to be successful in six pilot states and that Kogi State is one of the implementing States with the project launching in Okene to be extended to Yagba-East and Dekina Local Government Areas in the first phase of work in the State.

The sensitization and advocacy later took the team to the various wards in Okene Local Government Area where the women were enlightened on the objectives of the program and what they stand to benefit.

END