Over 150 women in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State have been empowered with self reliant skills by the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, as part of activities marking the Akeredolu led administration's 100 days in office.
Addressing the women who were randomly selected for the free empowerment training, at the local government Secretariat, Okitipupa, during the weekend, she said the programme by her Office is in collaboration with "Make Me Elegant" – a non governmental organisation, that is ready to support the Office of the First Lady towards making lives better for the women and children in Ondo State, particularly the unemployed and vulnerable ones.
The First Lady urged the women to use the skills acquired to achieve financial independence, self sustenance goals and be gainfully engaged in their various communities, adding that the extended training provided for them on how to make shoes, bags, hair, wigs and many others is to assist them towards attaining better societal status and financial life.
Whilst presenting the certificates to participants, Mrs Akeredolu maintained that empowering a woman is synonymous to empowering a nation, noting that the act will enhance financial stability in the family.
She also encouraged the women to be aware of the dangers of breast cancer and carry out regular medical check up, stressing that breast cancer does not kill if detected on time and it is not spiritually inclined.
She maintained that anything unusual about the breast should be reported for medical attention – such as lump, discharge from the nipples, among others. She implored them to join the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria as their own contribution to fighting the scourge, which she said can be defeated in unity.
Speaking with journalists after the event, the Caretaker Chairman, Okitipupa local government, Mrs. Morenike Alaka, observed that the skill acquisition programme will change the lifestyle of the women, improve their financial standing, make them self reliant and ensure they utilise their creativity for the development of the society, even though they are not educated, skilled and well placed on the social ladder.
The Caretaker Chairman who was excited that Okitipupa local government is the first local government to benefit from the exercise in Ondo State, said the act of the First Lady is a welcome development, showing her passion and concern for women and children in the society, saying no woman will roam about the street again or become a corporate beggar.
Some of the beneficiaries, Miss Bimpe Ayesan and Miss Blessing Kekere, appreciated the Wife of the Governor for providing opportunity for them to develop their skills and make them better engaged in the society.
They maintained that the training will help them to be self reliant and have good financial status.
Others who spoke described the programme as coming at the right time, said they have been taught how to make hair, bags, shoes and also educated on how to prevent breast cancer – maintaining good personal hygiene and regular medical check up, among others.
