One Year In Office: Governor Okpebholo Champion Women’s Empowerment, Health, Social Justice

One Year In Office: Governor Okpebholo Champions Women’s Empowerment, Health, Social Justice

By Adesuwa Ehimuan

His Excellency, Governor Monday  Okpebholo’s core priorities in his first year in office has been remarkable and impactful. x-raying the activities of the Office of the First Lady’s Office, which is effectively managed by Mrs  Edesili  Okpebholo Anani.

Senator Okpebholo SHINE Agenda has paved way for the Office of the First Lady to emerge as a catalyst that drive change in the state, with a steadfast focus on women’s empowerment, healthcare, education, support for survivors of gender-based violence, and setting a high standard for inclusive governance and social progress.

At the core of Mrs. Anani’s work is a commitment to ensuring that women are not only heard but are also active agents of change. Recognizing that women are the backbone of every community, her office has rolled out strategic initiatives that empower women economically, politically, and socially. These efforts align with the broader vision of building a society free from gender-based violence and discrimination.

The Office of the First Lady has taken decisive action in response to acts of gender-based violence. After the horrific incident involving 12-year-old Esther Friday, the coordinator vowed that justice would be delivered under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law. This firm stance underscores the state’s zero-tolerance policy for violence and reinforces its commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of its most vulnerable citizens.

In another critical intervention, the Office of the First Lady extended immediate support to domestic-violence survivor *Uyi Tina*, who suffered significant losses after an arson attack on her apartment by her estranged partner. Mrs. Anani’s team awarded her a cheque of ₦5 million, providing essential financial relief and reaffirming the government’s promise to stand by those in need.

The Office of the First Lady also handled the case of Miss Iwinosa Okuonobo, a 20-year-old woman who was trafficked to Burkina Faso at age 15 after being promised a job in Dubai and then forced into sex servitude. The government, through the Office of the First Lady and the State Migration Agency, condemned human trafficking, pledging care and support for her rehabilitation.

Health and well-being have also been central to the office’s agenda. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Edo Specialist Hospital, a free cervical and breast screening initiative was organized in commemoration of World Cancer Day. This proactive measure highlights early detection and preventive care, ensuring women across the state get quality healthcare services. Creating an enabling environment for autistic children to thrive academically has also been a priority.

The Coordinator Office Of The First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has settled the medical bills of a baby boy detained at St. Philomena Hospital in Benin City. The baby’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sunday, were struggling to pay the sum of ₦1.4 million medical bill due to financial constraints.

Furthermore, a strong stand against harmful cultural practices like female genital mutilation has been a priority. Through dedicated advocacy and community outreach, the office is working to shift societal attitudes and secure a safer future for young girls in Edo State.

Beyond immediate interventions, the office is also advancing empowerment initiatives under the Renewed Hope Initiative to economically uplift women. By backing projects in agriculture and entrepreneurship, Mrs Anani created sustainable income opportunities and improved food security, especially in rural communities. She has distributed farm tools to women in agriculture, encouraged students’ participation in agriculture through the Young Farmers Initiative, empowered vulnerable groups and persons living with disabilities, trained 50 young women in Edo State on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion—empowering them in the automotive industry—and distributed poultry chicks, improved seedlings, and farm implements to women, youth, and children. Over 500 women have also received clean coal stoves and pots to promote sustainable development and reduce climate change impacts.

Mrs. Anani commended students of Usugbonu Technical College, Irrua, for winning a science competition in Abuja with their innovative project on waste management sensors. The project detects when waste bins are full, separates waste into categories, and signals waste disposal. She emphasized the importance of developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills during a courtesy visit by the Edo State Skills Development Agency to her office. The Talents Unlocking Initiative aims to identify and support talented children, providing resources and encouragement to develop their skills.

In just one year, under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Office of the First Lady has become a beacon of hope and progress. Through its multifaceted programs—legal advocacy, health initiatives, economic empowerment, and cultural transformation—the office is tackling today’s pressing issues while laying the groundwork for a more equitable and resilient tomorrow in Edo State.