THE ongoing stakeholders’ engagement on the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) has been held in Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State for day two.
The NFWP-SU is a World Bank assisted project aimed at enhancing women’s economic development. The event held in Otun-Ekiti was well attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, artisans, market women , civil society organisations, government officials, among others to deepen awareness and mobilise support for the programme.
The three-day strategic meeting, which kicked off in Efon, focused on institutionalising Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) and other platforms aimed at enhancing women’s economic empowerment and improving access to opportunities for unbanked women.
Speaking at the event, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olapeju Babafemi, appreciated the traditional rulers and other stakeholders for their support, describing the programme as highly beneficial for the women, families and the local economy.
She noted that Moba is one of the three pilot local government areas selected for the programme in the State.
Mrs Babafemi expressed the unflinching commitment of the administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to women’s empowerment as encapsulated in its Human Capital Development Pillar of its Governance Agenda. She said Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) consist of Women aged 18 years and above who are engaged in subsistence level economic activities and resident in the communities within implementing LGAs.
The Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, alongside the Senior Technical Adviser on the Project in Ekiti, Dr Oyefunke Koleowo, further sensitised participants on the operational details of the programme, encouraging women in Moba to take full advantage of the impactful programme.
Representing the Ekiti State First Lady, the Senior Special Assistant on Advocacy to the Wife of the Governor, Dr Eunice Fasanmi, reiterated that the programme is apolitical and would contribute immensely to grassroots development .
She encouraged the women in Moba to come together through Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) of their choices following the programme guidelines .
Earlier, the Ekiti State Project Coordinator, Mrs Oluwatoyin Familoni, thanked Governor Oyebanji for championing women-focused empowerment initiatives in the state.
She explained that the NFWP-SU is being implemented in the three senatorial districts of the State in Efon, Moba, and Ayekire/Gbonyin LGAs.
Mrs Familoni remarked that traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders had been adequately consulted on the benefits of the programme.
According to her, the World Bank-supported initiative aims to strengthen women economically so they can better support their families and contribute meaningfully to society.
She called on Moba Local Government to intensify mobilisation efforts to ensure that a large number of women enlist as WAGs’ members and actively participate in the programme.
Also speaking, Mrs Opeoluwa Asoro, representing the Ogun State Project Coordinator, said the proven impact and productivity of the programme motivated many states in Nigeria to key into the initiative.
In their remarks, members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly representing Moba, Hon. Mrs Bola Solanke and Hon. Sunday Awoniyi, expressed confidence that the programme would enhance the financial stability of families in the area.
The Director-General, Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, Mrs Olawunmi Famuyiwa, reiterated that the state government has continued to roll out life-changing initiatives for the people, urging citizens to take advantage of them.
She also advised parents to encourage their children to learn vocational skills and crafts for economic independence.
Also speaking on the initiative, the Executive Chairman of Moba Local Government, Hon. Bamidele Fadugba, pledged to mobilise all necessary structures to ensure that qualified women across the local government fully benefit from the programme.
Representing the Oore of Otun, the Olosan of Osan Ekiti, Oba Bamidele Jimoh, advised women to engage in profitable ventures, no matter how small, and to remain committed to their affinity groups to maximise the benefits.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olusola Adeluyi, said the state government has committed significant resources to the project, describing it as a rare opportunity for women’s financial empowerment.
She urged women to justify the efforts of the state government and the World Bank on the programme.
Dignitaries at the meeting included the Director of the WAOH Project, Dr Oluwakemi Dairo; Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Adesola Adedayo; Commissioner for Regional Development, Dr Makanjuola Abdulkareem, the Onigogo of Igogo Ekiti, Oba (Barr.) Sunday Adewunmi , the Onirare of Irare-Ekiti, Oba Olukayode Olubowale, Chairman of Ero LCDA, Hon. Mrs Felicia Ibiloye, among others.