Oyo govt, stakeholders launch ‘Educate a Woman Initiative’ to develop communities

Eniosa and Aba-Idiogun communities under the Akinyele and Lagelu Local government area of Oyo State, will no doubt, become the envy of other neigbouring communities following the intervention of a concerned nongovernmental organisation, Educate a Woman Initiative (EWI), which has brought development to the social life and environmental development.

The launch of the project tagged: “Strengthening the Resilience of Rural Livelihoods and Promoting Environmental Education among young People in Oyo State”, graced by the Oyo State government, ministries, related organizations, was an eye opener to the commitment of EWI in contributing to the development of rural area, as well as expressing it readiness to save the lives of people in such areas from health hazards.

The event, which has attracted the support of both indigenous and foreign organisations including the Small grants Programme (SGP) and United Nations Developmental Programme (UNDP), also reaffirmed the support of the state government and other concerned ministries towards the spreading the dividends of democracy to the rural areas, especially the hard to reach communities.

The wife of the Oyo State governor, Dr (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, who was represented by her Special Assistant, Mrs Rokanmi Orunniyi, commended the brains behind the initiative for its remarkable works for the state and beyond in order to give back to the society.

“It is always a pleasure for me to identify with any organization that focuses on humanitarian activities. Bearing in mind the unfortunate state of our dear country economically and socially, it has become obvious that the burden of the change that we greatly desire is not too heavy for the government to bear. Although the responsibilities rest primarily on the shoulders of the government; we must all take ownership and do the little we can, just as EWI has done with the launch of the project. I strongly believe that with the accumulation of our collective efforts we will eventually change narratives,” she stated.

She, however, promised not to relent in her various empowerment and humanitarian programmes, just as she charge people to take a cue from the organization in developing their immediate environment and our communities at large.

One of the representatives of the sponsors, Mrs Fikayo Alagba, expressed the readiness of the UNDP to support the organisation as it is focuses on one of our objectives such as educating women and strengthening the resilience of rural area, adding that, “we are ready to support the WEI’s outlined projects including the establishment of Eco clubs in 10 schools in Oyo State and by my assessment during the visitation to some of the schools; I am confident that EWI is delivering on its objectives. The target is to train 3000 students across the state, which is laudable. The two communities will be trained reduction of land degradation through tree planting and environmental education. The women, youths and poor and maginalised would be empowered and most importantly sustainable livelihood would be provided. We are excited with all these programmes and we can only achieve a great result through the cooperation of the communities.”

In her remarks, initiator project, Executive Director, Mrs Rebecca Mojisola Aderele, said the initiative was born-out of her passion to impact lives, especially the rural area and also to improve the lives of the girl child and women through interventions that increase their learning opportunities and improve their lives outsomes.

“Our target is to develop communities across Oyo State and beyond; that is why we have commenced with two communities and it is our delight that we are achieving encouraging results. Our main goal is to focus adult literacy, financial and environmental education, capacity building, briquette production, peer education, community level intervention, among others.

The project coordinator, Mrs Amy Omoniwa also highlighted the NGO’s upcoming project such as formation of savings groups and cooperatives, sinking of more boreholes, sensitization workshops, and health empowerment

Other dignitaries that graced the event held at Social Development Staff Training Centre, Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State, include representative of Oyo State Commissioner for Health Dr Wole Lawal; representatives from Women Affairs; Matan Aisha Ismail of Matan Arewa South West of Nigeria; leaders of Eniosa and Aba-Idiogun communities; principals and pupils of Igbo Elerin Grammar School and Ojoo High School, among others.