The Wife of Ondo State Governor, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, at the weekend continued her empowerment programmes for the women in the State with about 100 beneficiaries from the southern senatorial district of the State.

The beneficiaries were on Friday presented with various items including laptops, after completing one-month of rigorous Skills Acquisition training.

At the graduation ceremony held in Ile-Oluji local government secretariat, the beneficiaries who were trained in profitable skills like bag making, hairdressing/Wig making, baking and Confectioneries, ICT/Solar technology, fashion design, makeup and Gele tying, we’re given sophisticated start-up tools to start their businesses.

In her remarks, Mrs. Akeredolu reiterated the need for women to be economically fortified in order for the womenfolk to evolve, saying “it is on this note, quite fulfilling that we are churning out another batch of experts with various skills.”

According to her, women’s economic security is inevitable and key to achieving stronger, happier and prouder womanhood, which OSSA-EP stands for.

Congratulating the beneficiaries, the Fidst Lady encouraged them to utilise the skills maximally to achieve entrepreneurial breakthrough.

She said: “Government has played its part by investing in you through OSSA-EP. Through this programme, value has been added to you. And, having acquired the skills required for entrepreneurial success, you must be determined enough to excel.

“Your goal, therefore, as beneficiaries, must be to translate the skills acquired to visible economic advantage for yourselves, families and communities. I do know that, as women, we are uniquely wired for winning, and I am sure that you all can win if you put your mind to it.

“On our part, we have armed you for winning by giving you the right skills and tools through this programme. Do well to
put your skills to good use”.

She disclosed that the initiative is inclusive by ensuring the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in the
empowerment scheme in order to give minority groups and special persons equal access to opportunities.

The Ondo State First Lady affirmed her further support for beneficiaries who would be able to translate the opportunity to wealth for the betterment of their lives, families and immediate environment, and enjoined them to exchange contacts for contracts recommendations.

Earlier in his remarks, the Jegun of Ile-Oluji kingdom, Oba (Dr) Oluwole Olufaderin Adetimehin Jimoko 11, described the initiative as a visible and practical demonstration of the dividends of democracy through transformation of the lives of Ondo women.

According to him, OSSA-EP is a great opportunity for the beneficiaries, and commended the wife of the Governor for prioritising women empowerment

His words: “To the graduands, I have just small words of advice, we’ve heard a number of historical antecedents of empowerment, where people are trained, given money to set up businesses, given equipment and materials to start their trade but this (OSSAEP) can be seen to surpass what we have seen all over the places, courtesy of mama FOWOSO.”

The Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, charged the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the opportunity, translate the skills to wealth and become employers of labour so as to justify government’s investment in them.

Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Finance and investment, Akinterinwa implored organisations and individuals to intensify efforts in empowering women for socioeconomic development of our society.

Also speaking, the State’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Aminu Takuro, advised the beneficiaries to be appreciative by maximising the acquired skills and tools for OSSA-EP’s purpose to be achieved.