By Gloria Osemudiamhen
The Edo State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, led by Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has solicited for more programmes on women empowerment from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), towards the socio-economic and political emancipation of women in the State.
Mrs. Anani made the case on behalf of the Edo State Government while playing hosts to representatives of the FMITI in her office at the State Government House, Benin City. The FMITI’s visit precedes the forthcoming graduation ceremony of the 50 females, who have been trained as compressed natural gas (CNG) converters in the State.
Appreciating the FMITI’s visit to the State, Mrs. Anani described Edo as a land rich in culture and heritage, stating, “Edo is a beautiful and vibrant land, deeply rooted in its culture and heritage. It is a land full of opportunities. Under the leadership of the Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, a new era has begun, bringing fresh possibilities and progress.” She commended the initiative of empowering women through mechanics training and sought more collaborations on supporting women and the girl child, to enhance their economic empowerment and development.
According to Mrs. Anani, “It is highly commendable bringing women into the space that is male-dominated.
We are promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as well; indirectly, having women work on the vehicles. Because we are empowering them, we are making them multimillionaires. We are giving them, and they are giving back to the society. They are also contributing to our GDP.
“It is really important. We are removing the girls from the streets and bringing them into more productive things. It is a good thing; I really commend you. I would really appreciate if we can have more initiatives like this in the State especially for the girl child and women. It will help them with a sense of purpose.”
In a remark, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Strategic Communications, Mrs. Ifeoma Williams, reaffirmed his commitment to women empowerment saying, “Women empowerment is something that is very dear to Sen. John, particularly in this renaissance of Nigeria’s industrialization. And, of course, with Mr. Osanipin who is doing great things in the automobile space. I am really delighted.”
The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, commending Mrs. Anani’s collaboration, noted that the initiative was part of their broader efforts to encourage the adoption of energy transition technologies. According to him, “This is the first one we are doing; the first time in Nigeria. Edo is unique when it comes to mechanics. Edo happens to be one of the states with the highest number of female mechanics in the whole of Nigeria and happens to be leading when it comes to CNG. Even when CNG was not popular in other areas, Edo was already using CNG.
“We are having our first all-female training right here in Edo. And we are very grateful for the support we have received from you and from your office. We are talking of new CNG as well as electric vehicle. So, for us to encourage our people to start looking at energy transition; moving to new energy vehicle, which is electric. We have already secured a space in Benin City and we have discussed with UNIBEN, they are providing a space for us, where we are going to build a charging station for electric vehicle. By the time we start, it will encourage everyone to start using electric vehicles. We are ready for collaboration. Whatever we can do, we will do to support the State. And we want you also to support us so that we can succeed on our mandate.”
