The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has called for the establishment of grassroots structures focused on capital development and effective governance to impact local communities in Edo State.
Mrs. Anani made this statement during the inauguration of the Planning Committee for the 2025 International Women’s Day at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Benin City. She emphasized that the occasion presents an opportunity for women to develop long-term, actionable plans beyond just the annual celebration.
“International Women’s Day is a time for women to come together to discuss issues that affect us. We are the bedrock of the economy and much more. This gathering is not just about March 8th; it is about creating a roadmap for the future,” she stated.
She urged women to ask themselves critical questions:
- What are our action plans?
- What growth do we want to see?
- What impact do we want to make in Edo State?
- How do we work towards meaningful accomplishments?
Women’s Role in Governance and Society
Highlighting the vital roles women play in societal growth, Mrs. Anani underscored their integrity, honor, hard work, and expertise.
“We want to demonstrate to the government that women are not just figures used for elections. We bring value, substance, and innovation to the table,” she added.
She also emphasized the need for unity among women, stating that their collective strength would drive real change. “When we stand together with one voice, we can achieve anything. Disunity is a major setback, and we must overcome it to make meaningful progress,” she asserted.
Ministry’s Commitment to Women’s Development
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief Bisi Idaomi, outlined the Ministry’s key focus areas, which include:
- Campaigns against gender-based violence.
- Support for the elderly, abandoned children, and people with disabilities.
- Introduction of elderly homes and shelters for the mentally ill.
- Expanding economic opportunities for women.
She stressed the importance of initiatives that would diversify Edo State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) while empowering women across various sectors.
“We aim to drive economic emancipation by supporting women in businesses, cooperatives, farming, large-scale industries, carpentry, and construction. We want to explore areas where women have traditionally been underrepresented,” Chief Idaomi said.
Expanding Economic Opportunities for Women
She further outlined ambitious plans to:
- Establish a cassava processing plant in Etsako West to produce ethanol.
- Revive the abandoned juice factory in Ehor.
- Encourage women to take up roles as masons, carpenters, and factory workers.
Additionally, Chief Idaomi announced plans to deploy 192 young women to work in collaboration with ward leaders, directors, and permanent secretaries to identify and address community-specific needs. The Ministry also aims to develop a centralized database to track and report on issues affecting women, ensuring regular updates to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Conclusion
Mrs. Anani and Chief Idaomi both reaffirmed their commitment to empowering women through sustainable grassroots development. They called on women across Edo State to take an active role in shaping their future, ensuring that their voices are heard and their contributions recognized at all levels of governance
