By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

Ondo State House of Assembly has charged the management of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to come up with more innovative ideas that will impact positively on the vulnerable people, especially women in the State.

The House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development while giving the charge during a visit to the Ministry in Akure stated that the responsibilities carried by women are enormous, noting they have potential to contribute to the society.

The committee stressed the need for the ministry to work on how skills acquisition centre will be domiciled in each local government to serve as training ground for women across the state.

The Chairman of the Committee, Princess Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu explained that the responsibilities of the ministry is huge therefore, it must be proactive to ensure that vulnerable women and the less privileged get needed attention by partnering with various organisations.

The committee pointed out that the ministry should collaborate with the State Primary Health Care Board and create awareness on why women should take their health as priority by going for regular medical check up, especially on cervical cancer.

While appreciating the ministry for what it is doing, the lawmakers also commended the wife of the State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Akeredolu for her role in women development in the state.

Earlier, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Tope Lebile while highlighting activities, achievements and challenges of the ministry, noted that the ministry will come up with a new bill on women empowerment to further enhance their development.

He informed the committee that the present administration takes the welfare of women in the state as priority while also dealing with issues concerning gender, children, the less privileged, people with disabilities , the aged among others.

Lebile said the ministry is in partnership with non- governmental organisations to improve lives of women and children.

The committee members were later conducted round a fully equipped skills acquisition centre with 500 capacity hall donated by Total Energy and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).