FIC Report (Delta State) – As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and promises made during his electionearing campaigns that his administration would change the narrative of women across the nation , was yesterday demonstrated in Delta State when the Honorable Minister Women Affairs and Social Development Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim fsi, officially flagged- Off the Renewed Hope Women Empowerment Initiative program at the Unity Hall Government House Asaba Delta state.
Handing over the items which included food and non-food materials to the beneficiaries the Minister commended the Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. (Elder ) Sheriff Oborowori, assuring that Delta women would no longer be left at the margin of National development, rather the Minister noted; “they will lead. They will drive it and own it. “She urged the women not to see the intervention as an act of charity rather they are tools of empowerment. Let us use them. Let us build from them. Let us rise together.” the Minister noted.
According to the Honorable Minister: “When a woman is empowered with economic asset she changes her livelihood. When she is equipped with clean energy she saves her health, her time and her dreams and when she is given a voice in leadership, she transforms communities, policies and futures.”
The Minister further noted that the intervention is part of the commitment of the President Tinubu administration’s broader strategic shift being led by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, stressing that her Ministry is scaling up impactful, high priority initiatives that are changing the narrative of Nigerian women and girls.
She identified some of the Tinubu administration’s initiatives under her Ministry to include: The End Energy Poverty Project aimed at empowering 3 million women with solar systems, clean energy cooking solutions and clean energy entrepreneurs.
Also, the Nigeria for Women Project-Scale Up (NFWP-SU), an initiative supported by the World Bank targeting over 5 million women across all the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja with grants, business support and livelihood programs.
According to the Minister, there is also the launch of Happy Woman App which she noted is a digital innovation that will serve as a One-Stop Shop for women to access empowerment programs, financing opportunities and as a national market place.
The Women Affairs and Social Development Minister equally emphasized the ongoing legislative advocacy to strengthen protections against gender based violence, child marriage and to promote women’s economic rights and leadership at all levels of governance.
She also spoke on the ongoing effort at the National Assembly on the Political Representation and Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB.1349). She noted that the legislation seeks to create an enabling environment for women’s political participation and correct the structural barriers that have kept the voice of women under-represented in governance and noted that Delta State’s endorsement and support of the important legislation would send a resounding message of progress and would further consolidate the State’s enduring legacy for gender equality.
The Minister commended Governor Oborevwori for being gender friendly as she noted that in a Federation where fifteen states currently have no female lawmaker in their state Houses of Assembly, Delta Delta State stands proudly among the few states with female representation in both National and State Legislature.
The Hon. Minister further commended Governor Oborevwori as she noted that the composition of the Delta State Executive Council shows deliberate inclusiveness and an affirmation that women are recognised in Delta State not just as participants but as indispensable partners in governance.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Hon. Commissioner, Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Hon. (Evang.) Princess Pat Ajudua, welcomed the Hon. Minister and her entourage to Delta State and stated that the event was not just for distribution of material items but also a demonstration aimed to strengthen collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Delta State Government towards advancing gender equality, addressing gender based violence and expanding opportunities for women and girls.
The Commissioner used the opportunity to commend Governor Oborevwori for his relentless support to Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development and also, Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, the wife of the State Governor for her support through her pet project “You matter Charity Foundation” which the Commissioner noted has uplifted many women and girls across the State.
Hon. Pat Ajudua also thanked the Governor for using the Ministry of Women Affairs Community and Social Development to implement programmes and policies that have continued to uplift women economically, socially and politically, through skill acquisition, micro-credit support and advocacy.
The Commissioner specifically appreciated Governor Oborevwori for being gender friendly in terms of appointments and elective positions in the State especially during the last local government election where the Commissioner noted that majority of the vice chairmen were women.
Hon. Pat Ajudua charged the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously and see it as a stepping stone for greater empowerment. She likened the flag-off of the Renewed Hope Women Empowerment Initiative of the Federal Government to Governor Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda aimed at alleviating the plights of all Deltans.
The high point of the event was the distribution of bags of rice, wrappers and solar power system to the jubilant beneficiaries.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Patricia Nwokolo thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Federal and Delta State Governments and promised that the items would be judiciously.
Signed
Celestine Afokobah
FIC Asaba Delta State
30th April, 2025.
