Obaseki names women centre after Daisy Danjuma

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said his government built a world-class women centre in Benin City, the state capital, and named it after a former senator who represented Edo South, Senator Daisy Danjuma, in recognition of her remarkable success in business and politics, and advancing projects and initiatives to provide support and succor to vulnerable persons in society.

Obaseki, who commissioned the centre amid fanfare, reassured that his government would continue to prioritise policies and reforms to protect women and other vulnerable persons in the state.

The governor described Danjuma as a woman of great accomplishments who has distinguished herself in different spheres of life, including business and politics, advancing causes for the growth and development of society and mankind.

He added: “Senator Daisy Danjuma is an emblem and a symbol of an Edo woman and we are glad to place her in front as a role model for our women. I grew up knowing and understanding that women need to be empowered. If left to me, I would have made sure that women dominate my House of Assembly. If I had women in the last House of Assembly, they wouldn’t have run away.

“I have advocated for more women in politics, opening up the system for more women to participate but my fellow politicians have not agreed but be rest assured we will continue the fight.

“Fifty per cent of my cabinet are women. That is what I have control over and I assure you today that we will do everything as a government to make this centre the model for female protection in Nigeria.

“The unprecedented increase of cases of abuse particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown was a wake up call and it led my administration to institute a number of legal and policy reforms aimed at protecting women and other vulnerable people in the society.

“This centre is a key part in the series of concrete steps and actions taken by this administration to salvage the future of vulnerable persons, particularly women, and youths, and provide them with an opportunity for redemption.

“The centre is well-equipped and houses a shelter for female victims of human trafficking and irregular migration and a sexual assault centre. We hope these facilities are properly utilised.

“In establishing this centre, we have received support from IOM, partnered with the Italian government, the Federal Government, Government of Switzerland. With the support we get from partners, we believe that in the near future, the centre will become a reference point for women.”