By Maria Famakinwa
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The wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyawu-Akeredolu has distributed items worth thousands of naira to the beneficiaries of the training programme organized by the Forum for Wives of the State Officials (FOWOSO) in Okitipupa Local Government.
The event which was the 14th edition of FOWOSO programme took place at government field, Okitipupa where women who had been trained freely on different life changing skills such as shoe and bags making, beads making, make-up, household items among others were given start -up kits by the First Lady.
Women who had learnt tailoring and hair dressing but could not start due to financial challenge were also given sewing machines and hair dryers, while others who were jobless were empowered with grinding machines. Laptops were also given to students to aid their learning as the physically challenged went home with wheelchairs .
Speaking at the programme, Mrs Akeredolu explained that the programme was aimed at empowering women and youths to be economically viable and contribute financially to the development of their homes and the State in general.
“There is need to empower women with skills that will make them economically independent and to empower our young ones so that they will be part of the equation of the digital world.
“As we train our women in skills that will earn them steady income from grinding machines, make-up, house hold items among others, we also educate them on health related issues for them to be healthy in contributing meaningfully to the socio -economic development of the State .
The greatest mistake any country can make is failure to carry women along because aside cooking and making babies, women can do better if economically empowered.
“This is why FOWOSO will always work towards empowering women because women can do a lot when they are empowered. We are not fighting men, but we want women to also be relevant in building their families financially for a peaceful homes. “
Mrs Akeredolu assured the people of more benefits of democracy as she urged the women to always support the present administration because it is the government that love, respect and ready to improve women’s standard of living.
Appreciating the efforts of Mrs Akeredolu, the Jegun of Idepe, HRM Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye applauded the Governor’s Wife for what he called extraordinary efforts at making women count in the society and reducing unemployment in the State.
Oba Adetoye also commended the present administration led by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN for providing a conducive environment for learning through building and renovating of schools across the State as he appealed to the government to urgently look into the issue of gully erosion ravaging the community for an urgent solution.
The chairperson of Okitipupa Local Government, Mrs.Odewumi Yemisi in her welcome address extolled Arabinrin Akeredolu’s programme describing it as transformational.
She also commended her for creating awareness about breast cancer which she observed had helped women to be better educated about the deadly but preventable diseases.
In her goodwill message, the Chairman of SUBEB, Princess Oladunni Odu said that Mrs Akeredolu stand tall in her leadership style and her grassroots oriented programmes which are making so much impact. While encouraging her to keep on with the good work, she also called on the women in the state to support her.
The former Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government, Hon Morenike Alaka in her vote of thanks described the first lady as a woman who is committed to living for others which according to her was demonstrated by transforming the lives of the less privileged in the state and prayed God to continue to keep her.
