BOWFT 2023: Governors’ Wives Make Case for Girl-child
- As Edo Queens battle Bayelsa Queens in final today
The Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki and other members of the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum (NGWF) have made the case for the grooming and empowerment of the girl-child, restating their commitment to ending the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
Mrs. Obaseki who spoke yesterday during her welcome address at a seminar held as a sideline event for the third edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament (BOWFT) final holding in Benin City today, said the Edo State Government has over the past seven years prioritised policies to protect the girl-child and ensure their wellbeing.
The final match of the 2023 edition of the BOWFT is between Edo Queens and Bayelsa Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium starting at 4pm.
Mrs Obaseki noted yesterday at the seminar: “ This is the third year of this tournament as we set out from the beginning not only to play football but to fight and address social vices that affect women and girls. We address issues that are prevalent in society.”
According to her, “The issue around GBV is a fight for all of us as the governors’ wives. We came together to fight and will continue to fight until there is zero tolerance for this issue in Nigeria.
“During our first outing, we got recognition from FIFA as they gave us an award for the initiative and for using the platform to empower our girls. We are trying year after year to maintain the height of professionalism and maintain world-class standards to get more FIFA recognition.
“BOWFT has been referred to as the foremost women’s football tournament in Africa and we are proud. We aim to make Nigeria women’s football known around the world. This year, the theme is ‘Stop Gender-Based Violence,’ and this is a focus of Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum, as this issue is taken seriously.”
The Chairman, Board of Trustees, NGWF and wife of former Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, commended Mrs. Betsy Obaseki’s efforts in the fight against gender-based violence, noting that the efforts by the governors’ wives have continued to yield positive results.
“We would encourage Betsy Obaseki to continue her good fight against GBV. GBV is a fight for all of us in our schools, churches, and workplaces as we have dedicated our lives to the fight against the scourge and ensure it is no more in the country,” observed Mrs Fayemi.
