Oborevwori Calls for Enhanced Women Empowerment and Financial Inclusion at NFWP Inauguration
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has emphasized the need for increased women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion to drive sustainable national development. The governor made this call during the inauguration of the Steering Committee of the Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP), a World Bank initiative, held on Wednesday in Asaba.
The committee, chaired by the Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sunny Ekedayen, with the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Pat Ajudua, as co-chair, was tasked with overseeing the implementation of the project in the state. Other key members of the committee include several commissioners and government officials from various sectors, reflecting a multi-faceted approach to the initiative.
In his address, Governor Oborevwori expressed appreciation to the World Bank for selecting Delta State for the project, urging the committee members to approach their duties with dedication and seriousness. He noted that the principles of economic empowerment and social inclusion embodied in the project align seamlessly with his administration’s MORE agenda, specifically its third pillar: “Opportunity for All.”
“The Nigeria for Women Project has shown its potential nationwide as an effective platform to address the socio-economic challenges faced by women, particularly at the grassroots,” Oborevwori said. He added that his administration is committed to creating opportunities for women through political inclusion and economic initiatives.
He further highlighted that women’s empowerment has been a central focus of his government, pointing to the recent increase in women’s participation in key political roles, including the appointment of women as Vice Chairmen in many of the state’s local governments.
“Women are essential agents of social change, and when you empower a woman, you empower an entire household. Their contributions to governance are invaluable, and we have witnessed their capacity to drive progress in this administration,” the governor remarked.
Oborevwori also announced the MORE grant scheme, a recent initiative aimed at empowering 5,000 women across Delta State, emphasizing that economic empowerment for women enhances their self-worth and ability to shape their futures. “When women are empowered, it leads to development and happiness for the entire community,” he said.
Assuring his full support for the NFWP, the governor pledged his administration’s readiness to provide the necessary backing to ensure the project’s success in Delta State and beyond.
The World Bank Team Leader for the Nigeria for Women Project, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi, commended the Delta State government’s commitment to the initiative, describing the NFWP as the World Bank’s flagship project for women’s economic empowerment. He explained that the project seeks to provide vulnerable women with financial inclusion and access to markets, thereby helping curb malnutrition and reduce infant mortality.
In his response, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Sunny Ekedayen, expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for the opportunity to serve, promising that the committee would work diligently to ensure the program’s success, further advancing the governor’s MORE agenda for the state.
The inauguration marks a significant step in the state’s efforts to uplift women economically, as Delta State seeks to be a model for other regions in Nigeria.
