By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has been enjoined to come up with innovative ideas that will impact positively on vulnerable women and youths at the grassroots.
The State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development while giving the charge during a visit to the ministry in Akure, noted that the responsibilities carried by women are enormous, hence the need to always support them.
The Chairman of the committee, Mrs Favour Tomomewo, explained that the responsibilities of the ministry is huge, therefore, it must be proactive to ensure that vulnerable women and the less privileged are not subjected to second class citizens.
Tomomewo also commended the wife of the State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Akeredolu for her role in women’s development in the state.
She assured of continued legislative support, noting that the visit was to appraise their budget performance for quarter 1, which would enable the committee put together its report for the 10th Assembly to know the areas they need support.
Other members of the committee including Taofik Mohamed and Samuel Edamisan urged them to do more.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Bunmi Osadahun informed the committee that the present administration has taken the welfare of women in the state as a priority and deal with issues concerning gender, children, the less privileged, people with disabilities and the aged.
Osadahun said the ministry is in partnership with many non- governmental organisations to improve lives of the women and children
Thereafter, the committee was conducted round a fully equipped skill acquisition centre with 500 capacity hall donated by total energy.
At the Christian Welfare Board, its Chairman, Very Rev. Agboola Ayodeji who briefed the committee on the agency’s achievement for the first quarter, said early this year, pilgrims who could not make it last year November, had embarked on the holy pilgrims to Jodan, Israel and Greece with self sponsored pilgrims, adding that the journeys were successful.
He said preparations for the 2023 November pilgrimage is ongoing while the monthly prayer and fasting programme across Christian body is still on.They craved the support of the lawmakers for effective service delivery.