By Event Diary Lifestyle
The Ondo State Government has begun moves to expand the World Bank-assisted Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) to additional Local Government Areas, with more than 90,000 women expected to benefit from the programme.
The expansion is aimed at extending economic opportunities, skills development and access to finance to more women, particularly those living in rural and peri-urban communities across the state.
The advocacy exercise commenced in Ifedore Local Government Area, where government officials engaged local authorities, community leaders, women groups and other stakeholders on the implementation of the Women Affinity Group (WAG) component of the programme.
The engagement was led by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Oluwaseun Bosede Osamaye.
Speaking during the advocacy visit, Osamaye described the inclusion of Ifedore as an important step in the state's efforts to broaden women's access to economic opportunities.
She said the NFWP-SU was designed to strengthen women's economic capacity through organised groups, savings schemes, entrepreneurship, access to finance, skills development, market opportunities and social support.
The Commissioner called on local government authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders, women associations and other stakeholders to support the programme by helping to identify genuine beneficiaries and ensuring effective implementation at the grassroots.
According to her, strong community participation would be essential to ensuring that the benefits of the programme reach women who need them most.
The State Project Coordinator, Dr. Jumoke Bakare, said the expansion would involve the establishment of structures to support implementation across the newly included Local Government Areas.
These include Local Government Desk Offices, Local Project Implementation Units and Women Affinity Group Savings Officers.
Bakare stressed the importance of collaboration between the Ministry, local government authorities, project officials and community stakeholders to ensure that the initiative translates into sustainable economic opportunities for beneficiaries.
She said the structures would help coordinate activities and improve the delivery of the programme at the local level.
The Executive Chairman of Ifedore Local Government commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for approving the inclusion of the council area in the programme.
He described the initiative as a welcome development and pledged the council's cooperation towards its successful implementation.
The Chairman also praised the Aiyedatiwa administration for what he described as its efforts to strengthen women's empowerment and improve the livelihoods of women across Ondo State.
The advocacy visit forms part of the state government's broader effort to expand the NFWP-SU to additional Local Government Areas and promote more inclusive economic development.
The programme's focus on savings, entrepreneurship, access to finance, skills and markets is expected to provide participating women with opportunities to strengthen their businesses and improve household livelihoods.
With more than 90,000 additional women targeted under the expansion, the Ondo State Government is positioning the programme as an important part of its wider women empowerment and grassroots development agenda.
Among those present during the Ifedore engagement were the wife of the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Yetunde Ajibola; APC Ifedore Local Government Chairman, Prince Tunde Adegbonmire; Vice Chairman, Hon. Biola Ijimakinwa; Secretary to the Local Government, Barr. Kollins Awoseye; Majority Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Wasiu; supervisors, councillors, women and party leaders, as well as other community stakeholders and directors.