Ondo unveils initiative to empower widows, others

The Ondo State Government on Monday said it had commenced an initiative to empower widows, female children and students across the state.

The initiative, which is called ’10-Point O’Datiwa Women Initiative Blueprints ‘was part of the agenda of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration to assist women.

Speaking at the unveiling of the initiative in Akure, the state capital on Monday, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Oluwaseun Osamaye, explained that the blueprint became necessary to guide the operations of the ministry to achieve the goals and visions of the governor for the women, girls and the vulnerable in the state.

According to the commissioner, all sectors of women were explored while designing the programmes.

She stated that the 10-point O’Datiwa Women Initiative Blueprint included free training, skills and acquisition development,  empowerment programmes, free medical outreach for elderly and vulnerable groups, Odatiwa widow’s care, elderly care and empowerment of women with disabilities, among others.

She said, “We are laying the foundation for the blueprint, the action plans for the programmes that will be implemented under the leadership of our governor,  Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at least for the next four years.

“This set of programmes is meant to ensure the implementation of ‘Our Ease’ agenda for women of the state.

If you recall, during the campaign promises of Mr. Governor to women of Ondo State while going around, he made certain promises, certain manifestos that if women of Ondo State should give him their votes, there are promises, there are actions that would be implemented to promote and advance their causes to the glory of God.

“Women of the state gave him an overwhelming vote at the poll. Today, our governor is called 18.0 Pro Max governor in Victory. His electoral victory across the 18 local government areas of those states.

“By God’s grace, the governor, since he became inaugurated on February 24, 2025, has started running an all-inclusive governance to give the people of the state access to governance, financial access, access to all provisions and opportunities that can make life better for everyone, both indigenous and residents of Ondo State.

“Today, by God’s grace, we are gathered at the Babafunke Ajasin Conference Hall of the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to unveil his plans for Ondo State women. These plans in the next four years will serve as guide for us. And we have carefully taken our time to look at all sectors of women, all groups to ensure that the mandates of this ministry gets actualised.”

The commissioner noted that the state Ministry of Women Affairs would be collaborating with different agencies and organisations to achieve the goals.

“This is an assignment that cannot be done by our ministry alone. All hands must be on the deck to implement the 10-point O’Datiwa Woman Initiative Blueprint.

“This is not exclusive of other programmes that would come up along the line,” she stressed.