Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has appealed to women in the society to key into the "Change begins with me" campaign of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
She said this during an interview with newsmen in Akure. She maintained that women can push for change by mobilising other women to speak with one voice, thus making them a very important component of the state.
"The First Lady said Women must continue to make themselves relevant in the society, as the present administration in Ondo State is determined to create opportunities for people to interact and develop the state.
"It is time for paradigm shift among the women. I therefore call on them to be politically active, so as to have good representation at the decision making table.
"We are no longer in the kitchen, we are no longer in the other room, we are in the open space now", she said.
The First Lady stated that women plays indispensable role in the society, and as such appealed to the conscience of men to support the women.
She urged them to update themselves in order to be very useful to the society and align with the current trend, adding that people should focus more on how to get things done right.
Mrs. Akeredolu advised that women should pay more attention and contribute positively to national issues by creating an enabling platform that will also benefit the younger generation.
The Wife of the Governor charged women to network and interact with one another on issues that bother on national development, while stressing that "Be More initiative" that will be introduced by her office will enhance women and girl child interaction, create database, women empowerment, agricultural development and all that will create ways for better opportunities among women and girl child in the society.
Arabirin Akeredolu affirmed that the programme will encourage birth registration in the rural areas and will enable the state monitor the development of its girl child, observing that it will enable them to benefit from soft loans, agricultural support and other dividends of democracy.
She appealed to influential women in the society to work towards ensuring that every woman climbs the social ladder at a higher pedestal.
The First Lady who condemned child hawking during academic period, appealed to government to put logistics in place to enhance behavioural change among women in order to better the society, noting that stakeholders should gear effort towards proper national planning.
She also urged women in the society to stop female genital mutilation and build self esteem for the girl-child to be independent, noting that the government is set to make positive change in the lives of its citizenries.
