OKUN LADIES ASSOCIATION:GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO EMPOWERS OKUN WOMEN WITH N5 MILLION AS THEY MARK OKUN WOMEN DAY 2022
Okun Ladies Association(OLA), an umbrella body of Okun Women Worldwide held her annual event, OKUN WOMEN DAY 2022 under the leadership of Chief (Mrs) Josephine Iyabo Medupin at Reverton Hotel, Lokoja, today, 29th September, 2022.
The theme of this year’s event is tagged; “Okun Women And The 2023 General Elections, Time To Be Counted” and the Launching Of Appeal Fund For The Completion Of The Okun Ladies Association (OLA) Skills Acquisition Centre in Kabba.
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Governor Yahaya Bello who is the Chief Guest of Honour was represented at the event by the Honourable commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic, Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris,FCA alongside the wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Hajia Rashida Bello who was Mother of the Day.
Asiwaju in his remark appreciated Okun Ladies Association(OLA) for their thoughtfulness and the subsequent optimism shown by coming together as women to chart a common front and most especially compliment the state Government under the leadership of His Excellency towards fostering unity and peaceful coexistence, regardless of tribe, religion, sex and creed. Without micing words, i sincerely commend your works and your Association.
In his words” Kogi state under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello has given women a premium and vantage position in all strata of Government, especially leadership space to unleashe their potential and contribute to the development of the state. That’s why in Kogi state today, we have women as the SSG, HOS, ADC of the Governor, Commissioners, Special Advisers, SSAs, Head of Commission and Board, 21 Leaders of Local Government Legislative arm and about 63+ counsellors and more”.
Asiwaju inclined the women about a program solely designed for their advancement tagged “Nigeria For Women Project”, saying, funds meant for that purpose is readily available. To compliment that assertion, on behalf of the Governor, the Honourable Commissioner promised the sum of N5million as an Empowerment fund for Okun women, which means N1 million each for women in the 5 local government areas that made up Okun Nation. It’s an Empowerment fund made available specifically to encourage the women in their various economic and business endeavours that ranges from Agriculture, trading, Artisanal miners etc. Governor Yahaya Bello is relentlessly committed to the course of Women and he has demonstrated it beyond any vestige of doubt, Mukadam stated.
He also used the occasion to appeal for continuous support of the New Direction administration, saying the stellar records of His Excellency so far in the state is not only exemplary, but a reference point in our annals. He mentioned the giant strides in the Health sector using the Okene Reference Hospital and the various Zonal Hospitals as an example, Road Infrastructure which includes the First ever flyover in history of the state, Revamping of our Educational system with Standard building and recruitment of competent teachers, Agriculture Renaissance which saw the establishment of the biggest Rice Mill in the whole North Central, Sound Financial Management which earned the state prestigious awards from reputable international organisation like World Bank and many more giant strides. With necessary support and cooperation, you all can be rest assured that His Excellency is ready to do more for Kogites.
Conclusively, he said there is an imperative need for women to stand in gap for each other towards their collective growth. He cited example of the two Women House of Assembly Candidates under APC from Okun land; Hon. Yemisi Oshaloto of Yagba West state constituency and Hon. Omotayo Ishaya of Ijumu state constituency, saying if they stand strong as a pillar of support for them, you have not only complimented the Governors effort in seeing women at the hallow chamber, also, the frontier of women in the political space of the state has been expanded.
I enjoin your Association to support our party, APC in the forth coming 2023 general election from our Presidential candidate and the running mate;Tinubu/Shetimma down to other various elective offices like the Senate, House of Representative and State House Of Assembly.
