By Adesuwa Ehimuan
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has reaffirmed her commitment to supporting women and children across the state, emphasizing the critical role women play in family development, community growth, and nation-building.
She made this known while hosting a delegation of women from Edo Central Senatorial District at Government House, Benin City. The delegation was led by the Special Adviser on Women Mobilization to the Governor in Edo Central Senatorial District, Hon. Azilomen Omonigho Blessing.
Welcoming the women, Mrs. Anani expressed appreciation for their visit and assured them of her unwavering support in their efforts to advance the welfare and development of women in the senatorial district and across Edo State.
“Whatever you want to do, I will be a pillar of support to you. The bedrock of every society is the woman. If you want anything to work, let women be in charge because women have the capacity to nurture, mobilize, and drive positive change,” she said.
She commended Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo for creating opportunities for women to contribute meaningfully to governance and development in the state.
“I thank His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for giving women the opportunity to shine. In this administration, many women have been entrusted with important responsibilities and appointments, demonstrating the government’s commitment to inclusive leadership,” she added.
The First Lady encouraged women to continue supporting one another, stressing that unity, cooperation, and collective action among women are essential for achieving greater representation and influence in leadership positions.
Addressing the growing concern of drug abuse among youths, Mrs. Anani called on mothers and caregivers to take a proactive role in guiding their children and instilling positive values.
“The men are the heads of the family, but women are the backbone of the home and play a significant role in shaping the character of their children. We are facing challenges with drug abuse, and as mothers, we must talk to our children, monitor their activities, and guide them on the right path,” she stated.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hon. Azilomen Omonigho Blessing thanked the First Lady for her impactful interventions and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of women, children, and vulnerable groups across Edo State.
Hon. Azilomen Omonigho Blessing reaffirmed the support of Edo Central women for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration and appealed to Mrs. Anani for continued support towards women empowerment and mobilization programmes in the district.
