Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has disclosed plans by the State government to empower women in the State through the use of technology and education.
The First Lady made this known in Ado Ekiti at the 2023 International Women’s Day.
Dr Oyebanji said this year’s theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality,” is apt because women must be given equal access to opportunities in all aspects of human endeavors.
She assured that gender equality and women’s empowerment programmes would continue to be given priority in Ekiti State inorder to promote fairness, and justice.
The governor’s wife who noted that there is much ground to cover as touching gender inequality, recalled that
Women’s activism for equality had in time past been hampered by oppression.
“In this digital age women and girls must not be left out in digital education as government is committed to ensure that women have equal access to opportunities in all aspects of human endeavors, particularly in education, politics, and socio-economic participation, resulting in a more gender-balanced, diverse, and inclusive society”, She added.
The First Lady said government had made the welfare of women a top priority in its Seven-Point Agenda, nothing that it would continue to be given consideration in its development plans.
Dr Oyebanji also used the medium to encourage all women in attendance to support and vote all candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State House of Assembly election on Saturday to enhance good governance and add a voice towards advocacy for better opportunities for the women.
In her contributions, the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye urged Women most especially those engaging in business activities to pay more attention to digital economy so as to compete favorably with their counterpart globally.
Also, the Secretary to the state government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, advocated equitable society where women would have equal rights in all ramifications with their male counterparts.
In their remarks, the special Adviser to the Governor on investment, Trade and Industry, Mrs Tayo Adeola and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Sola Adeluyi, encouraged women to embrace digital economy and internet banking due to the current economy and financial restructuring embarked upon by the federal government especially in the area of cashless policy.
They announced that the state government had concluded arrangements to create digital portal to market agricultural produce of the State across the world.
Women from all statutory local Governments, Council Development Areas and Women Associations were represented in a dance past at the occasion, where Ijero Local Government came first, followed by Ado Central LCDA and Ekiti South West took third position.
Olofe Abiodun.