By Oswald Agwu, Ebonyi
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state has announced empowerment grant of Two hundred and sixty million naira (N260,000,000) to 260 indigent women across the State.
The women, according to the Governor, was to comprise of 20 persons in each of the 13 local government areas of the State.
Governor Nwifuru made the announcement Wednesday during an event marking the grand finale of 2024 Internationally Women’s day celebration in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.
The event was organised by the office of the wife of the Governor, in conjunction with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
The Governor said the grant was to enable the women who must show willingness and commitment start economic ventures of their choices for improvement of their family lives.
He noted that the empowerment was part of State government’s support to the projects of the office of the wife of the Governor, adding that it was also to complement N500,000 empowerment for 20 farmers through the office of wife of the president, Oluremi Tinubu.
Addressing the crowd of women who gathered for the event, Governor Nwifuru blamed the growing social vices in the society to the failure of women in their primary responsibilities.
Nwifuru who observed that present day mothers have abandoned their primary roles of effective home keeping and care for children in pursuit of other ephemeral gains.
He also decried the growing decline in level of respect accorded husbands by wives in present times, describing it as a result of vanishing values.
Nwifuru who acknowledged that it was the duty of every man to support genuine efforts of his wife, admonished women to always respect and honour their husbands as the only sure way of creating balance in the homes.
Nwifuru said: “The society is failing today because our wives have abandoned their primary responsibilities in pursuit of unimportant other things.
“The menace of insecurity and other vices in society wouldn’t have been there if women are diligent in their responsibility of home keeping, and children upbringing, rather than competing with the men.
While extolling the enormous wisdom and strength bestowed on women by God, the Governor described it as gladdening to give women responsibilities and see them perform very well.
He stressed that Ebonyi, by the number of women in elective and appointive posts in the state has already exceeded the much advocated 35 percent affirmative action.
He commended all the women given positions in Ebonyi state describing them as having surpassed expectations.
The Governor admonished women of the state to seize the opportunity of the celebration to change their psyche, believe in their husbands, knowing that there are no better men out there than their own husbands.
“Once you respect and honour your husband, you rule the house”, Nwifuru added.
Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, in her speech, encouraged government at all levels to increase investment in women, adding: “investing in women is not only the right thing to do, but the smartest thing to do.”
She extolled the Ebonyi State government for appointing women into key positions in the state, describing it as one of the surest ways to ensuring equity and inclusiveness which accelerates development in any society.
She further called for concerted efforts towards total elimination of violence against women and children in the state, stressing that her Pet Project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation, BERWO, was ever committed to the cause.
Others who spoke, including the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Felicia Nwamkpuma, maintained that achieving a world of gender equity demands concerted effort by all and sundries.
Nwamkpuma emphasized that ensuring that women’s and girls’ rights are protected across all aspects of life is the only way to secure a prosperous and just economies, and heathy society for the present and future generations.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Count her in: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.”
The event was honoured by the wives of the first Executive Governor of the State, Mrs Eunice Ukamaka Egwu; former Governor Martin Elechi’s wife, Josephine, as well as other prominent women across the State.
2 comments
Our Governor is doing well in our state but he should try and make this empowerment inclusive. Person with disabilities are not included in any thing. No empowerment, no appointment for them. My Governor and his lovely wife should try to make Ebonyi state an inclusive state by carrying pwds along. most especially passing our bill
Our Governor is in Ebonyi state, he is a father, but he should try and carry the people with disabilities along by empowering them in one way or the other. Mostly let him pass our bill. Please my Governor