News Update
Ekiti State has taken a step toward strengthening women’s economic participation by commencing the implementation of the Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP- Scale Up) in Efon Alaaye, a World Bank–supported initiative designed to boost entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods of grassroots women.
Speaking at the Stakeholders Engagement, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olapeju Babafemi, said the project aims at institutionalising Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) and other platforms for women’s economic empowerment as well as enhance the economic opportunities of unbanked women.
She remarked that the programme which will be implemented in 3 LGAs – Efon, Gbonyin/Ayekire and Moba is strictly non-partisan, noting that it belongs to women across all political parties.
According to her, the initiative is jointly funded by the Ekiti State Government and the World Bank, describing women’s empowerment as a direct investment in nation-building.
“Empowering women is as good as empowering the entire nation. This programme is not about politics; it is about improving lives and strengthening our economy from the grassroots,” Babafemi said.
She explained that beneficiaries would be organised into Women Affinity Groups (WAGs); small clusters of like minded entrepreneurial or business women aged 18 years and above, with members of each group meeting weekly and contributing savings at an affordable level . The WAGs’ members will then be supported with training and Community Investment Fund (CIF) for their businesses.
The commissioner added that the programme is aimed at improving economic opportunities of grassroots women.
She said the success of the initiative in the implementing LGAs would facilitate its replication in other LGAs of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, the Senior Special Assistant on Advocacy to the Wife of the Governor, Dr Eunice Fasanmi, reteirated the First Lady’s passion for women’s development and her commitment to the success of Nigeria for Women Programme in Ekiti State.
Adding that Dr Oyebanji is deeply committed to the programme, given its numerous socio-economic benefits, urging women leaders at all levels to mobilise women of like minds to take full advantage of the initiative.
Dr Fasanmi assured participants of the First Lady’s continuous support toward the success of the initiative.
In her remarks, the Ekiti State Project Coordinator, Mrs Oluwatoyin Familoni, noted that the Nigeria for Women Programme had already been implemented across the six geo-political zones of the country, with Ogun State representing the South-West during the maiden phase.
Photo of the occasion;
She described Ekiti’s inclusion in the scale-up phase as a major opportunity, urging beneficiaries to demonstrate full commitment so that the combined efforts of the state government and the World Bank would yield lasting results.
Mrs Familoni disclosed that about 34 states have keyed into the programme nationwide, adding that extensive sensitisation had already been carried out with strategic meetings with traditional Leaders and Key stakeholders in Efon Alaye.
She said each local government was given a target of 1,200 WAGs, with a minimum of 20 women per group.
“The level of commitment shown by participants will determine how much they benefit from the programme,” she said.
Providing further insights into the project, Mrs Opeoluwa Asoro, representing the Ogun State Project Coordinator, reiterated that the initiative has no political undertone and is open to all businesswomen in Efon Alaaye who meet the age requirement.
She said the programme offers women access to low-interest loans, shielding them from exploitative, high-interest credit facilities, noting that the transparent and accountable scheme would also provide business management training, alongside financial and equipment support.
Mrs Asoro explained that the intervention would be implemented in three phases, during which beneficiaries would be trained on effective financial management and business growth strategies, stressing the importance of discipline, sincerity and collective responsibility among group members.
Also speaking, the Director-General/Senior Special Assistant, Office of Transformation Service Delivery, Dr John Ekundayo, alongside the Obanla of Efon Alaaye and High Chief Olawole Oni, admonished women in the local government to ensure that the required number of participants is met.
They stressed that full participation would position Efon Alaaye as a model for other local governments in the state.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olusola Adeluyi, congratulated Efon Local Government on being selected as a beneficiary of the project.
Speaking on behalf of women in Efon Alaaye, Chief Mrs Ronke Okusanya highlighted the importance of economic empowerment but emphasised that its success depends largely on strong commitment from all stakeholders.
She called on women across the local government to fully embrace the programme, assuring facilitators that Efon Alaaye would record a successful outing.
“We are determined to take full advantage of this opportunity. Women in Efon Local Government are ready and committed,” she said.
Chief Mrs Okusanya added that the expected number of participants in the local government would be completed before the 2nd of next month, in line with the programme’s target timeline.
The event attracted several community leaders including representatives of non-governmental organisations, New Generation for Girls and Women Development Initiatives (NIGWAD), represented by Mrs Bimbo Aladejare and Balm of Gilead Foundation (BIGIF), represented by Mr Nelson Akelere.
Others in attendance were the Chief Whip, Ekiti State House of Assembly, representing Efon Alaaye, Hon. Bose Olowokere; Director-General, Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, Mrs Olawunmi Famuyiwa; Chairman, Efon Local Government, Hon. Segun Afolabi; Director, WAOH Project, Dr (Mrs) Dairo; and the Alaaye of Efon Kingdom, represented by Olori Roseline Aladejare among others.