Don’t See Govt Empowerments as National Cake, Fayemi Tells Women

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has admonished women in the state to desist from the habit of mismanaging funds made available to them by the government with the erroneous impression that resources made available are part of the national cake.

She described such act as constituting great hindrance to the development of the country and increasing poverty among the womenfolk.

Fayemi gave the admonition in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend while celebrating with the women at the first anniversary of the Obirin Kete Multipurpose Association, a socio-economic empowerment platform to empower, inform and build the capacity of Ekiti women, and lift them out of poverty.

Speaking at the event, the first lady highlighted the achievements of the initiative, which has supported women’s groups in 38 farmsteads across all the 16 local government areas of the state with grants for microcredit and equipment for food processing.

According to her, “The Obinrin Kete Women Empowerment programme is designed as a capacity building and empowerment programme for Ekiti Women, which operates through cluster and cooperative groups, which were established across all 177 wards in the state in 2020.

“There are currently 354 Obirin Kete cooperatives in the state, with over 3,540 members. Micro-credit programmes have lifted millions of women out of poverty around the world.”

She, therefore, urged the women to always make judicious use of all grants made available by the government.

Fayemi applauded all the cooperative groups that have proven to be reliable, diligent and disciplined in their dealings, urging others to emulate such groups.

Also, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Human Development, Alahja Maryam Ogunlade, appreciated the first lady for establishing such initiative, and advised the women not to take any opportunity for granted.

Speaking also at the event, the state Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, congratulated the women for the opportunities they are enjoying in the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi, adding that the state government is women-friendly and will always support them.

In his message, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Olabode Adetoyi stated that the ministry was working on a programme tagged Ekiti-Care, an initiative to empower Ekiti people who are interested in food processing, farming, poultry, fishery among others.