…As Ekiti women mark first anniversary of Obririnkete cooperative initiative
The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has admonished Ekiti women to desist from the bad habit of mismanaging funds with the belief that resources made available are meant to be shared without a thought for tomorrow.
She described such act as constituting great hindrance to development.
Erelu Fayemi gave the admonition in Ado-Ekiti while celebrating with the women at the first anniversary of the Obirin Kete Multipurpose Association, a Socio-Economic Empowerment platform to empower, inform and build the capacity of Ekiti Women, and lift them out of poverty.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady highlighted achievements of the initiative which has supported women’s groups in 38 farmsteads across all the 16 local governments with grants for microcredit and equipment for food processing.
“The Obirin Kete Women Empowerment Program is designed as a capacity building and empowerment program for Ekiti Women, which operates through cluster and cooperative groups which were established across all 177 wards in Ekiti State in 2020.
“There are currently 354 Obirin Kete cooperatives in the State, with over 3,540 members”. She emphasized.
According to her, “micro-credit programs have lifted millions of women out of poverty around the world”. She, therefore, urge the women to always make judicious use of all grants made available by the government.
Erelu Fayemi applauded all the cooperatives groups that have proven to be reliable, diligent and disciplined in their dealings, urging others to emulate such groups.
Earlier in her address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Human Development, Alahja Maryam Ogunlade appreciated the First lady for establishing such a great initiative and advised the women not to take any opportunity for granted.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua congratulated the women for the opportunities they are enjoying under the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, adding that the government of the day is women-friendly and will always stand to support them.
Olumilua also appreciated the First Lady for bailing Ekiti women out of poverty.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Olabode Adetoyi in his message stated that the ministry was working on a program tagged Ekiti-Care, an initiative to empower Ekiti people who are interested in food processing, farming, poultry, fishery among others.
Adetoyi noted that prominence will be given to women to enjoy 90 percent of the grants when it is rolled out.
At the event, distinguished cooperatives were recognized and given awards to encourage them to perform better.
Mrs Egunlusi from Ekiti Central Senatorial District, on behalf of the women thanked the First Lady for the initiative and promised that women will continue to support the administration.