By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
A MAJOR push for women’s economic empowerment, aiming to boost financial inclusion and drive sustainable development across the region, has been pushed out by Delta State government.
The state government, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, emphasizes the need to deepen initiatives that enhance women’s financial opportunities, which are critical to the nation’s growth.
This message was underscored at the inauguration of the Steering Committee of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP), a World Bank initiative, held in Asaba.
The project seeks to empower vulnerable women and improve their financial inclusion across the country.
Governor Oborevwori stressed that the committee’s work is pivotal to the success of Delta State’s MORE agenda, which focuses on expanding opportunities for all citizens, particularly women.
The newly appointed committee, chaired by Mr. Sunny Ekedayen, Commissioner for Economic Planning, includes key figures in government, such as Mrs. Pat Ajudua, Commissioner for Women Affairs, and representatives from the health, agriculture, trade, and education sectors.
These members are expected to work collaboratively to ensure that women at the grassroots level benefit from the programme, which aligns with the state’s broader developmental goals.
Governor Oborevwori highlighted that empowering women is not just a strategy but a necessity for societal advancement.
He cited the increase in women’s participation in politics and leadership roles within the state as evidence of his administration’s commitment.
He also mentioned the ongoing MORE grant scheme aimed at economically supporting 5,000 women across Delta State.
These efforts, he said, would create lasting social change by uplifting women and, in turn, their communities.
The World Bank’s team leader for the project, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi, emphasized that the programme is designed to address key issues like malnutrition and infant mortality by enabling women to access financial services and markets.
This initiative aims to empower women financially, thereby improving their families’ well-being and contributing to national development.
Mr. Ekedayen, the committee’s chairman, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead this critical project.
He assured that the committee would work tirelessly to fulfill the objectives of the Nigeria for Women Project and contribute to the success of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE agenda.
