Financial Boost for Ondo Women

Women across the 18 local government areas of the Ondo State recently smiled home with various empowerment tools to boost their financial statuses at the third Summit of the Foundation for Wives of Ondo State Officials and Female Political Appointees. Writes Mary Nnah

At the grand finale of the third summit of the Foundation for Wives of Ondo State Officials and Female Political Appointees (FOWOSO), held at Arcade Ground Igbatoro road, Akure, the state capital, hundreds of women joyfully went back home with business tools ranging from grinding machine, sewing machine, Plasma Television, fans, among other gifts.

Highlighting the Theme of Year 2021 FOWOSO Summit, “Turning Around The Economic Status of Women in a COVID-19 Era”, Founder, FOWOSO and wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu noted with deep concern the multifaceted effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the global economy just as she charged women not to keep quiet in the face of challenges but speak up and be a part of process as they are truly indispensable tools for sustainable development.

She stressed the need for women not to fold their arms and expect change as opportunity does not just fall on the lap of any individual but on those who are ready to learn, who are prepared and can act when the opportunity arises.

Declaring that the foundation has since kept faith with the ideals for which it was established, the governor’s wife who described the summit as hugely successful, said, “We have kept faith with the objectives of FOWOSO. Our women are now more aware of their environment and they have also advanced both socially and economically; they are being productive through skills acquisition and contributing meaningfully to their homes and the society.”

Established in December 2017 by Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu as a veritable platform for women empowerment and socio-political advancement, FOWOSO has since inception held its annual summit, save for the year 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

While expressing worry that women and children are the worst hit when it comes to inadequacies of health among others, said the world is gradually recognising the enormous roles women play in development.

She however encouraged women not to wait until they have money to establish industries but to at least engage in small scale businesses so they could have more financial security and independence.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu said, “You don’t have to wait until you have the resources to establish an industry before a woman can do business, you can start small businesses to make a living and support your husbands in the running of the home front.”

The first lady encouraged women to go beyond being women leaders at the party level and aspire to become councillors, secretaries, local government chairmen, House of Assembly and Representatives members, senators and governors of states, noting that things are already looking brighter for women in Ondo State because the governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, is gender-friendly.

“In organising a society to thrive and do well, it has a lot to do with politics. That is why women must participate in politics to be at the decision making tables. I encourage you to be part of the structure of the party.

“Our women should go beyond being women leaders at the party level and aspire to become councillors, secretaries, local government party chairmen, House of Assembly and Representatives Members, Senators and governors of states. Things are already getting better in Ondo State for our women because we have a He4She governor who is gender-friendly and believes in the emancipation of the womenfolk”, she said.

In explaining her novel slogan, #ReduceFila2IncreaseGele which means Advocating for Increase in Women’s Representation in Politics and All Endeavours, Mrs Akeredolu added that the need to get more women involved in politics is not necessarily to compete with the men but to complement their efforts and also make contributions to nation building.

In her words, “Getting more women involved in politics is not to scare the menfolk. What we are saying is that the women who form the 50 per cent of the country’s population, should be more involved in the governance of the country. It is not to fight the men but to join hands together in the determination of the future of the country.

“We also need to groom our young ones as they evolve. That is what we are doing with the Bemore Empowered Initiative, where we train girls in Information Communication Technology (ICT), renewable energy and other life-enhancing skills.

“Today, Bemore, since 2017, has trained about 2000 young secondary school girls mostly from Ondo, Imo, Ekiti States and beyond. Parents whose daughters have attended the Bemore Summer Boot Camp can attest to the fact that their daughters have changed to “champions of change” that I now refer to as “a new breed without greed” after the Bemore training.”

She, therefore, enjoined the women to make judicious use of the equipment given to them for economic purposes and not sell them off but to learn how to operate the machines.

While appreciating the Governor for his support, Mrs. Akeredolu said FOWOSO since its inception in 2017 focuses on prioritising women’s health and well-being and that beyond the loss of jobs occasioned by COVID 19 pandemic which further exposed women to domestic violence, steps were also taken to address cases of violence against women.

In his remarks, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu while applauding women said no country can achieve greatness without women as records abound of women who have defied the odds and are leaders in their respective fields of endeavour.

While noting that his administration will look into ways to create synergy between the Ministry of Women Affairs and other NGO to focus on women issues, the Governor said there is no way the rural economy can grow without empowering women at the grassroots.

The Chairman of the occasion and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while declaring open the 3rd FOWOSO Summit, said the initiative is for the overall development of womenfolk.

He advised that the forum should encourage more women to come into their fold so as to bring the desired change.

Sanwo-Olu described his Ondo State counterpart as a role model, adding that the Sunshine state Governor is a man of courage who speaks his mind no matter the condition.

He challenged women to participate actively in the business of governance for societal development just as lauded the various initiatives of Her Excellency, Arabinrin Akeredolu.the the first lady of Ondo State.

Also speaking in a keynote address, the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu while sharing from her personal experience said women must not allow anything to limit them but must strive to attain their best, noting that women are great influencers and managers.

Chairman of the grand finale, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR, described Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu as a hegemon of Ondo State’s women, who, in ways hitherto unwitnessed, has revolutionised the ways and worth of women through the ingenious institutional instrument called FOSOWO.

Ibrahim who said the activities of FOWOSO are effectively bridging the gender gap in Ondo State, encouraged the government to give FOWOSO the necessary legislative backing it deserves so that it can be institutionalised in the state.

The grand finale featured march-past by different women groups across the 18 local governments areas of the state, dance competition, Breast Cancer Awareness (Sekem) dance by Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, raffle draw and prizes ranging from solar home system, grinding machine, sewing machine, plasma television, fans, among other gifts.

Also in attendance was the Deputy Governor of Ondo, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his wife, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, continents from across other South Western States and top government functionaries across all the 18 local government areas of the state.