By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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Ondo State government has commissioned a Women Development and skills acquisition centre at the premises of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Akure.

This is just as the government through the Ministry empowered no fewer than 250 widows in commemoration of the year 2023 International Widow’s day celebration.

The center was donated by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Total Energies to the State government.

Commissioning the project, the Acting Governor of the State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa noted that the project is very significant as it will go a long way in creating wealth among women folks and make them to be employers of labours.

He said it is a known fact that government alone cannot entirely provide the needs of the citizens, no matter how buoyant such government might be, hence the  contribution of corporate organisations to support government in taking care of the needs of its citizenry.

Aiyedatiwa who congratulated women, the major beneficiaries, particularly the widows whose commemoration of their day coincided with the commissioning and handing over of the edifice, challenged them to make the best use of the opportunity to develop through the acquisition of various skills.

Aiyedatiwa assured that government will continue to do everything within its capacity to support widows and women folks in general.

The programme  was  attended by eminent personalities in the State including the Secretary to the State Government, Oladuni Odu, Commissioners, representative of the wife of the Governor, Mrs Temitope Daniyan and other political appointees, development partners, women groups across the State, among others.

Earlier in her address, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Mrs Adebunmi Osadaun recalled that the project journey started in 2019 and is in line with the State Government REDEEMED agenda aimed to improve the livelihood of all status of women in the State.

Osadaun noted that the quality facility will also train beneficiaries in the 21st century technologies for a better output in various skills, adding that the overall expectation is decreased poverty index among households, improve families, health and take many off the streets  in the State among other benefits.