By Michael Ofulue Osogbo

Osun state Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Chief (Mrs) Ayobola Awolowo has stated that women empowerment is a powerful tool for the reduction of poverty geared towards
improving the overall well-being of the people in any given community.

Mrs Awolowo made this known during an empowerment programme for indigent women at Atakunmosa East Local Government Area of Osun state.

The programme was organised by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs in conjunction with the World Bank.

The programme which was aimed at reducing poverty among vulnerable women across the state, saw the teeming beneficiaries smiling home with items like grinding machines, deep freezers and generators among other valuables.

In her opening remarks, Mrs Awolowo stressed the resolve of Governor Ademola Adeleke led government in Osun state to prioritize the welfare of women.

According to her, the distribution of the poverty alleviation programme being supported by the World Bank, will no doubt provide necessary soft landing in form of essential support to the most vulnerable of the women in the society.

Mrs Awolowo also expressed her gratitude to Governor Adeleke and the World Bank for teeming up to fight the ugly menace of poverty among women.

The Commissioner equally warned beneficiaries to use the items for the purposes they are intended for and not to sell them.

She added that the representatives of the World Bank are on ground and would be monitoring how the items are being utilized effectively or otherwise

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Mrs Abimbola Babatunde also expressed gratitude to Governor Adeleke for providing the opportunity to implement the program with the support of World bank.

She particularly expressed delight for the due recognition accorded women
and their important roles in the community.

In his speech, the state Focal Officer, Nigeria For Women Project, Mr Folorunso Tomori said the empowerment programme was meant to banish poverty and hardship as being faced by women.

He noted that the programme was as a result of the government’s efforts to identify and address the challenges faced by women .

Some of the beneficiaries like Mrs Folakemi Ojoade and Mrs Ajimopo thanked the Governor of Osun state and World Bank bank for the humanitarian gestures

The empowerment programme was witnessed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Children Affairs, Sekinat Temilade Halid, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Soji Fagboun, Directors, Deputy Directors, Desk Officers and staff of the Ministry.