Governments at all levels have been urged to take decisive actions to protect women’s rights and support their role in building a prosperous nation.
This call was made by the wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, during a ceremony at the Government House in Lokoja as part of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day celebrations.
Hajia Sefinat Ododo emphasized the pivotal role women play in shaping society, stressing the need for greater protection against sexual and gender-based violence.
She reaffirmed Governor Usman Ododo’s dedication to tackling poverty, insecurity, access to healthcare, and reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.
Highlighting her office’s initiatives over the past eight months, Hajia Sefinat mentioned several empowerment programs designed to uplift women and young girls. These include providing grants to over 1,000 women involved in small and medium enterprises, enhancing girl-child education, and offering vocational training to secure the future of young women and girls across the state.
She expressed her gratitude to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her nationwide support and empowerment programs, describing her as a beacon of hope for Nigerian women.
Hajia Sefinat reassured the gathering that the Kogi State Governor remains committed to delivering on promises that will benefit women and youths in the state. She also encouraged men to cherish and respect their female counterparts, calling on women to continue supporting and praying for their families, husbands, and the nation’s leaders.
Looking ahead to the upcoming local government elections, Hajia Sefinat urged the women of Kogi State to make their voices heard by voting en masse to ensure the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the elections.
