The wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs. Betty-Anyanwu Akeredolu was yesterday October 30, lauded by the honourable minister of women affairs, Mrs. Dame Pauline Tallen, for her women and health-focused driven programmes during her visit to Akure, Ondo State capital for the National Council meeting for all the ministries of women affairs in the 36 states including FCT.

It is no longer a surprise that Mrs. Akeredolu attracts commendations for her unprecedented strides in humanitarian services, social development and empowerment by prominent figures in the society.

Before her emergence as the first lady of Ondo State, she has been an agitator of gender equality and other issues concerning women.

In line with her watchword; Human Capital Development, which is what the First Lady of Ondo State leverages on to alleviate poverty among the women and young girls in Ondo State., under the umbrella of Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF).

Through this initiative, Mrs. Akeredolu has created employment for those who has skills but lack equipments to stand on their own by distributing grinding machines, Hair drying machines and sewing machines to them so that they can earn a living and make their families much better.

Also, her annual empowerment programme (BEMORE initiative) has become a veritable tool that empowers the girl child in info state. Just as the name implies, it helps them become more in the society. In August 2018, during “Bemore Summer Boot Camp” hybrid Laptop computers were distributed to secondary school girls, as part of her bid to get Ondo State digitalized, which in turn earned her the name “Digital Mama”.

This initiative has trained over 1000 girls in ICT, Solar energy technology and Skills acquisition which has made the beneficiaries more resourceful in the society.

Mrs. Akeredolu as a breast cancer survivor, has through BREAST CANCER ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (BRECAN) provided free cancer screening for rural women, preventive therapy, pallative care and succor for women living with breast or cervical cancer, and these have helped a lot of women.

Mrs. Tallen praised Mrs. Akeredolu for championing the advocacy against cancer, and prayed that God grant her more grace to pilot the affairs of women and children in the state.

She also commended the state government for the inclusion of women in governance, as she advocates for more women in government to bridge the gender imbalance in governance.

The Nigeria First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari who relayed her message through the Women Affairs Minister, said she is pleased with the reports of the numerous programme by Mrs. Akeredolu.

Mrs. Akeredolu while responding during the 19th National Women’s Council meeting on women affairs and social development, said women are the bedrock of any move to change the society. Thereby emphasized the need for more women at the policy-making table.

She also disclosed that all her programme are tailored towards the development of women and girl child in Ondo State.

The First lady, who agreed that misconception and ignorance are the major factors that lead to women dying carelessly from cancer, told the Women Affairs Minister, that through BRECAN initiative many are now on the know, that cancer does not kill if detected earlier.

GENEVIEVE ALOZIE
TCC NEWS