Investing In Women Key To Achieving Progress, Says First Lady As Ekiti Celebrates Celebrates International Women's Day.

Investing In Women Key To Achieving Progress, Says First Lady As Ekiti Celebrates Celebrates International Women's Day.

Speaking while being conducted round to observe the products exhibited by women from the 16 local government areas and 22 local council development areas, Dr. Oyebanji stressed the need for all people of the state and women especially to take agriculture more seriously.

While admiring some farm produce exhibited by women at the Day, the First Lady advocated the need to go back to the farm in order to ensure food security in the state and keep hunger at bay.

She emphasized that if Ekiti citizens goes back to farm, everybody will feed his family and feed himself and hunger will be banished from the state.

Dr. Oyebanji used the opportunity of the occasion to canvass the implementation of "Every Home a Garden" initiative of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to boost agriculture, produce more food and ensure food security in the country.

She further stated that the "Every Home a Garden" initiative, spearheaded by Senator Tinubu, empowers women to mitigate economic downturns through sustainable food production.

The Governor's wife also suggested that Adire Ekiti fabrics would be worn as commemorative dresses by delegates as each local government and local council development areas have their designs of the fabrics in the International Women's Day Celebration for 2025.

Addressing the gathering later in her prepared speech, Dr. Oyebanji said this year's International Women's Day "marks a celebration of resilience, creativity, and resourcefulness of our women and girls in Ekiti State."

She said: "We are grateful for Governor Oyebanji's approval to distribute food commodities, addressing immediate needs while championing long-term economic empowerment. 

"This aligns with our ongoing efforts to mitigate global economic challenges through various empowerment programs. Today serves as a reminder of the urgent need to accelerate gender equality in all aspects of life.

"Investing in women accelerates progress. Governor Oyebanji's shared prosperity vision prioritizes lifting women from economic challenges. His administration creates an enabling environment for women to thrive, fulfilling our shared commitment to gender equality."

Speaking in her welcome address, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, said the theme for this year's celebration speaks to the human capital development pillar of the Oyebanji Administration which provides enabling space for women and girls to thrive.

The Director General Office of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, Mrs. Olawumi Famuyiwa, said women need to work harder on their children and curb the get rich quick syndrome and inculcate in the the values of integrity, hard work, honesty and industry.

The celebration which was supposed to have been held last week's Friday was postponed by one week to pay respect to the late All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in the state, Mr. Paul Omotoso, who died last week.

The theme for this year's celebration was "Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equality through Economic Empowerment" underscores our commitment to inclusivity and progress.

The celebration also featured exhibition of products from the council areas and distribution of food commodities.