The wife of Kogi Governor, Hajiya Sefinat Ahmed Ododo, has reaffirmed the commitment of her Office and the Kogi State Government to continue to sustain women empowerment initiatives in the state
Hajiya Ododo gave the assurance on Tuesday at the occasion organised by her Office to commemorate the Nigeria's 64th Independence Day celebration at Government House Lokoja.
Mrs Ododo noted that various empowerment programmes had been initiated by her office to empower women and young girls in last eight months across the state.
She disclosed that her office had offered grants to over 1000 women in small and medium businesses across the state,.
This, she said was targeted at enhancing girl child education and vocational training to safeguard the future of young girls and women in the state.
She urged government at various levels to take necessary steps towards protecting women's right, curb violence against women and support them for nation building.
The Kogi first lady emphasised that women played a pivotal role in shaping the society, and stressed the need to protect them from sexual and gender-based violence.
She reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Ahmed Ododo's administration to tackling poverty, insecurity, access to healthcare and the menace of out of school children in the state.
"As we celebrate our nation's independence day, it is very important to remind ourselves of our freedom from poverty, freedom from illiteracy and violence against women in the state," she said.
Mrs Ododo expressed her gratitude to Nigeria's First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her support and empowerment programme across the country describing her "as a beacon of hope for women in Nigeria.
"I wish to appreciate our mother, the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for her passion and total support to empowering our women across the country"..
"We thank Nigeria's first lady for being a beacon of hope and for leading the women's course in the country," She said.
Mrs Ododo assured the commitment of her to continue to protect the right of women through various institutions to eradicating violence against women in the state.
The first lady assured the people that the governor would not disappoint the women and youths in the state.
She added: "I urge you all to continue to support the administration of my husband, Governor Ahmed Ododo, and I assure you that he would not disappoint you".
Mrs Ododo commended the leadership of the party for nominating women into various positions in the upcoming Local government council elections, saying "as women, we will not disappoint you and the good people of Kogi"
She, therefore urged Kogi women to make their voices heard and vote en masse to ensure the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the local government election.
She further enjoined the women to continue to support and offer prayers for their families, husbands, children, and leaders in the state and Nigeria at large.
Earlier, the Secretary to Kogi State Government (SSG), Dr Folashade Ayoade, implored the women to continue to pray for the Governor and his wife for the success of the State and Nigeria at large.
Ayoade commended the governor's wife for her humility and passion in empowering women across the states.
Other dignitaries at the occasion include: the State Commissioner for Women Affairs Hajiya Fatima Momoh; the Deputy Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly Comfort Unwuchola; and wives of Commissioners; among others.
By Stephen Adeleye
