… Hosts First Lady over empowerment in Ondo

… Targets widows, physically challenged, elderly

… Vows to bridge gender gap, prepares women for elective offices

 

Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday unveiled an empowerment programme targeting both vulnerable citizens and women’s political participation, stressing his administration’s moves to cushion economic hardship while advancing gender equality in governance.

The initiatives, according to the governor, comprise a food outreach and empowerment programme for widows, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups, alongside a sensitisation and leadership development programme designed to prepare more women for elective and appointive offices.

Aiyedatiwa is also expected to play host to the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as she would empower vulnerable people in the state on Tuesday.

The First Lady, who would be represented by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shetima, would distribute food items, including 1800 bags of rice, to widows, People With Disabilities(PWDs), the elderly ones and the poorest of the poor, at the International Culture and Event Centre(The Dome), Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State capital.

Speaking through the commissioner for women’s affairs and social development, Dr Seun Bosede Osamaye, at a press briefing in Akure, the state capital,
Aiyedatiwa stated that the programmes reflected the determination to tackle the effects of the country’s economic challenges.

She maintained that the food outreach initiative was conceived to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households struggling under prevailing economic conditions.

“The prevailing economic realities have undoubtedly placed enormous pressure on many households. As a responsive and compassionate government, we remain committed to cushioning these challenges by implementing targeted interventions that directly improve the living conditions of our most vulnerable citizens,” she said.

According to the commissioner, beneficiaries across the state would receive food items and other essential support to ease hardship, improve household welfare and restore dignity.

She explained that beyond distributing relief materials, the programme underscored the administration’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable residents were not excluded from the state’s development agenda.

“This intervention reflects the compassionate and inclusive leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, whose administration remains committed to ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the state’s development journey,” Osamaye stated.

Osamaye added that the programme would “provide immediate relief to vulnerable households, promote social inclusion, improve the quality of life of beneficiaries, and strengthen public confidence in government-driven social intervention programmes.

On women’s participation in governance, the commissioner said the second programme, tagged the Project 774 Explode Initiative, was designed to equip women with leadership skills, mentorship opportunities, advocacy tools and capacity building required to compete effectively for public offices.

She lamented that despite women’s contributions to national development, their representation in elective and appointive positions remained below expectation.

“It is imperative to continue creating platforms that prepare women to occupy leadership positions with confidence and competence,” she said.

Osamaye disclosed that participants would undergo intensive training on gender equality, political participation, leadership development, advocacy, networking and governance to enhance their readiness for leadership roles, adding that the initiative aligned with the Ondo State Government’s commitment to implementing the 35 per cent affirmative action policy and expanding opportunities for women in governance.

“Today, the state proudly has one female candidate for the House of Representatives, a remarkable feat after more than six decades, and about five female candidates contesting seats in the Ondo State House of Assembly.

“These achievements are clear evidence that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership goes beyond mere advocacy for gender equality but is actively creating an enabling environment where competent women can contest, serve and lead. His commitment to inclusive governance deserves commendation and stands as a shining example worthy of emulation across the nation,” she added.