…….Says investing in women transforms Nations
By Tolulope Eniola
The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the sum of ₦50 million to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in the state, with ₦40 million set aside as direct financial grants to empower women and ₦10 million for the official launch of the O’Datiwa Women Cooperative Multipurpose Society.
Govenor Aiyedatiwa made this announcement on Tuesday at the 2026 International Women’s Day, held at the Dome in Akure.
He said the initiatives are designed to expand access to finance, strengthen enterprise and promote sustainable livelihoods among women.
“These interventions are not mere policy statements; they are deliberate instruments of transformation aimed at lifting our women out of poverty and positioning them as critical drivers of our State’s economic growth”.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Give to Gain, Aiyedatiwa described it as both profound and instructive.
“It underscores a timeless truth: that meaningful investment in women, through education, healthcare, leadership development and economic empowerment, yields exponential returns for families, communities and nations alike”.
The Governor stated that the theme aligns seamlessly with the United Nations’ broader call for “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls” and resonates deeply with his administration’s development philosophy as encapsulated in the “OUR EASE” agenda.
While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare and advancement of women, Aiyedatiwa listed key ongoing interventions, including the O’Datiwa Skills Empowerment Programme, the Women Agricultural Support Programme, the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, the O’Datiwa Care and Inclusive Initiative and the Vulnerable Widows Empowerment Programme.
Beyond economic interventions, the Governor noted that his administration has remained intentional in promoting inclusivity in governance.
“We have continued to open up the space for women in political appointments and decision-making processes, in the firm belief that no society can attain its full potential while excluding half of its population.”
He added that the ₦50m approval would serve as a catalyst for economic independence and resilience, particularly in these challenging times within the global economic landscape.
Aiyedatiwa further expressed appreciation to development partners, stakeholders and philanthropists for complementing government efforts in advancing the cause of women in the state.
He urged women to continue to support the policies and programmes of the administration as the state strives towards a more inclusive and prosperous Ondo State.
“International Women’s Day represents more than a ceremonial observance, it is a solemn reminder of our collective duty to advance the cause of women, socially, economically, politically and culturally,” the Governor stated.
Describing women as “the heartbeat of our homes, the strength of our communities and the conscience of our society,” Aiyedatiwa congratulated all women in Ondo State and wished them a fulfilling celebration.
In her keynote address, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Esther Aiyedatiwa, reaffirmed her commitment to women empowerment, saying the celebration remained a global reminder of the resilience and contributions of women and girls to societal development.
She said this year’s theme, “Give Today,” emphasised financial autonomy as a response to household economic realities.
She added that the theme also promotes collective action, resource sharing and international collaboration aimed at accelerating progress for women and girls, in line with the United Nations drive for rights, justice and action for all women and girls, including efforts to remove barriers limiting their advancement.
Mrs Aiyedatiwa said women in Ondo State remained central to development, playing active roles as economic drivers, home builders and participants in agriculture, education, markets and professional sectors.
She, however, noted that challenges persist, including limited access to finance, inequality of opportunities and entrenched social barriers affecting women and girls.
She announced a Financial Empowerment Grant for 1,200 women across the state, describing it as part of the governor’s commitment to women and the future of Ondo State.
She also unveiled the O’datiwa Women’s Cooperative Multipurpose Society, designed to deepen collaboration, expand access to resources and promote sustainable economic opportunities.
She further highlighted the Ondo State Female Empowerment Awards, which recognise outstanding women and inspire younger generations.
Mrs Aiyedatiwa urged women to continue demanding rights and justice while pursuing social and economic transformation, and encouraged young girls to remain focused and ambitious.
She called on men and stakeholders to support women empowerment through concrete action, stressing that gender equality remains a collective responsibility, and urged commitment to an inclusive society free of discrimination.
In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Bosede Osamaye, said the state had sustained deliberate efforts to expand opportunities for women and deepen inclusion across sectors.
She noted that although International Women’s Day is globally marked on March 8, Ondo State chose April 21 to reinforce local ownership of global advocacy, stressing that the event was a call to sustained action.
She said the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa and his wife had prioritised women’s advancement through targeted policies promoting economic empowerment, social welfare and political participation.
She disclosed that within the past year, the state recorded measurable progress in women-focused interventions, reflecting intentional governance aimed at improving livelihoods.
Osamaye said the ministry anchored its programmes on the O’datiwa Women Initiative Blueprint, covering economic empowerment, education, healthcare, mentorship, agriculture and governance participation.
She listed interventions including skills acquisition programmes, support for small businesses, agricultural initiatives and targeted support for widows, elderly women and persons with disabilities.
She added that mentorship and youth-focused programmes had expanded, including initiatives for teenage girls, school outreach, and campaigns promoting girl-child education and health awareness.
She said hundreds of women had benefited from empowerment schemes, including financial assistance for business start-ups and expansion aimed at reducing poverty and strengthening household stability.
She also noted increased participation of women in political and leadership spaces.
Osamaye further disclosed that financial grants would be distributed to traders, professionals, farmers, entrepreneurs, security agencies, civil society groups, students and vulnerable persons.
She added that a women-focused cooperative initiative would be launched to promote shared growth and financial sustainability.
She listed programmes including the O’datiwa Skill-Up Programme, O’datiwa Care and Inclusive Initiative, Teen Girls Conference, Tech-a-Girl initiative and Back-to-School programme for adult women, alongside agricultural support schemes.
She said over 1,000 women benefited in 2025, while 200 women underwent six months of vocational training and received start-up capital, adding that 59 programmes were recorded within the last year.
In her lecture, Justice Eunice Aderonke Alade, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Ondo State, called for sustained investment in women as a pathway to development.
She described International Women’s Day as a global call to action, noting that the theme “Give Today” underscored deliberate investment in education, leadership, economic empowerment and justice.
She said empowered women multiply opportunities and return value to society, stressing that when a woman rises, society rises with her.
She spoke on “breaking the ceiling,” describing it as the removal of structural and cultural barriers limiting women.
She noted women’s contributions in agriculture, commerce, education, healthcare and governance, but lamented persistent challenges such as limited access to land, finance, leadership and justice.
She called for reforms, stronger legal systems and inclusive policies, stressing that justice must be guaranteed in practice.
She urged governments, the private sector and traditional institutions to deepen gender-responsive actions, while encouraging women to support one another.
She said empowerment remains a collective responsibility, noting that society’s progress depends on how it treats women.
In his goodwill message, the State Chairman of the APC, Babatunde Kolawole, commended the governor’s intervention in women’s welfare and praised the Women Affairs Commissioner, noting that women in the party were well represented.
The Chairman of the Council of Obas and Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, congratulated women on the occasion, saying traditional institutions support women and recognise them as partners in progress.
Also, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Fr. Anselm Ologunwa, represented by his Vice Chairman, Bishop Joshua Kolawole Opayinka, congratulated women and prayed for their progress.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Abosede Adelami; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; APC State Chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; former Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief Imam of Akure, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede; wives of commissioners; local government chairmen; members of the House of Assembly; paramilitary agencies; women groups; artisans and students.
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