By; ADEBOYE ADO, Akure
Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Wife of Ondo State Governor, has trained and empowered no fewer than 100 women with laptops, sewing machines, make – up kits and others in Ondo South Senatorial District of the state.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu made this known at the closing ceremony of a one month skills acquisition and empowerment for women in Ondo South Senatorial held on Friday in Ile-Oluji, Ile-Oluji Local Government Area Secretariat.
New Nigerian reports that the women were trained on bag making; make-up and gele; baking and confectioneries ; wig making; house-hold items; fashion design and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
The beneficiaries were drawn from the six Local Government Area of the South Senatorial District of the state.
The wife of the governor said that the beneficiaries were trained through the Ondo State Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme (OSSA-EP) in collaboration with Foundation for Wives of Ondo State Officials (FOWOSO).
She also said the women had to be economically fortified for the womenfolk to evolve.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu said that Persons With Disabilities (PWD) were included in the empowerment scheme to give minority groups and special citizens equal access to opportunities.
According to her, women’s economic security is inevitable and it is key to achieving stronger, happier, healthier and prouder womanhood.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu, therefore, called on beneficiaries to translate the skills acquired to visible economic advantage for themselves, families and communities.
The wife of the governor said the beneficiaries were armed for winning by giving them the right skills and tools through the programme.
“Through this programme, value has been added to you. And, having acquired the skills required for entrepreneurial success, you must be determined enough to excel.
“I do know that, as women, we are uniquely wired for winning, and I am sure that you all win if you put your mind to it.
“Do well to put your skills to use. Because beyond being trained, we are interested in beneficiaries that will smartly translate the training to wealth for themselves and the larger community.
“As you go, I charge you to be courageous and confident enough to make success of your skills. exchange contacts among yourselves and support one another as sisters.
“Let the woman who handles event introduce the woman who bakes; let the bag maker bring business to the one who sews. Together, let us change the odd narrative and give womanhood a new meaning,” she said.
Oba Julius Adetimehin, the traditional ruler and Jagun of Ile-Oluji, who commended the wife of governor for the empowerment, said that the gesture was a visible and practical demonstration of dividends of democracy.
Adetimehin said that the empowerment would transform the lives of women and the girl-child for them to add to the economy growth of the state.
“This is a golden opportunity for our women and girl-child, today our women, society and community has been transformed.
“For the beneficiaries, don’t lease or sell your empowerment equipment, rather, use it to impact your lives, family members and society at large,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Temidayo Adeboye, a 30 year-old physically- challenged, appreciated the wife of the governor for the gesture, saying that it would go along way in the life of all beneficiaries.
Adeboye, who was empowered with bag making kits, said that the empowerment would enable her to be her own boss and would enable her to train others. (
