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IWD: AIYEDATIWA DISBURSES EMPOWERMENT GRANTS TO WOMEN, DONATES TO COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
* 1,200 women to benefit from financial empowerment – Mrs Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday approved the sum of ₦50 million empowerment grant to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in the state.
Of the total amount, ₦40 million was earmarked for the direct financial empowerment of women, while ₦10 million was allocated for the establishment of the O’Datiwa Women Cooperative Multipurpose Society.
The approval was announced at the International Women’s Day celebration held at The Dome, Akure, where the governor said the intervention was aimed at expanding access to finance, strengthening women-led enterprises and promoting sustainable livelihoods across Ondo State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said the initiative formed part of deliberate steps by his administration to tackle poverty and enhance women’s participation in economic activities.
He said, “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 the celebration, “Give to Gain,” the governor said it called for deeper investment in women as a pathway to national and societal development.
“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,” he said.
He linked the theme to global advocacy under the United Nations framework on “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls,” noting its alignment with his administration’s “OUR EASE” development agenda.
The governor listed ongoing interventions targeted at women, including the O’Datiwa Skills Empowerment Programme, Women Agricultural Support Programme, Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, O’Datiwa Care and Inclusive Initiative, and the Vulnerable Widows Empowerment Programme.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to gender inclusion in governance, citing increased women participation in political appointments and decision-making processes.
“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 said.
He said the ₦50 million intervention would strengthen economic independence and resilience among women in the face of prevailing economic challenges.
The governor appreciated development partners, stakeholders and philanthropists for supporting government efforts in advancing women-focused programmes, calling for sustained collaboration for inclusive development.
He further urged women to continue supporting government policies, stressing that International Women’s Day goes beyond ceremonial observance.
“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,” he said.
He described women as “the heartbeat of our homes, the strength of our communities and the conscience of our society,” while congratulating them on the occasion.
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 remain central to development, playing active roles as economic drivers, home builders and participants in agriculture, education, markets and professional sectors.
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.
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 has 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.
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.
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.
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 urged governments, the private sector and traditional institutions to deepen gender-responsive actions, while encouraging women to support one another.
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.
Icon Awards were conferred on five women for their contributions to women empowerment and development in the state. They are
former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele; Rev. Dr. Damilola Oshin; Mrs Jumoke Anifowose; Mrs Kosemani Kolawole and Bishop Funke-Felix Adejumo.
Also, Governor Aiyedatiwa, his spokesman, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan and Chief Margaret Ebun Oladunni, were presented with special recognition awards for their contributions to the development of womenfolk in the state.
Those present at the event included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Abosede Adelami; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; 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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