BY RITA OYIBOKA
In alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has empowered more than 400 women in Delta State with food items, solar panels, and other vital supplies.
This initiative was officially launched yesterday by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, during a flag-off ceremony at the Cenotaph in Asaba. The distribution of both food and non-food items was aimed at supporting women across Delta’s local government areas.
Speaking at the occasion, the minister noted that the empowerment reaffirms the commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, in collaboration with the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
She commended Delta State for being one of the few in Nigeria with female lawmakers in both the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly, noting that 15 states still have no female legislators at the state level. “This is no small feat. It is real leadership in action,” she added.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted that the Delta launch is part of a nationwide intervention to address energy poverty and enhance livelihoods for Nigerian women.
“These initiatives include empowering three million women with solar home systems, providing clean cooking solutions, training women as clean energy entrepreneurs, and scaling up the Nigeria for Women Project in partnership with the World Bank, targeting 5 million women across all 36 states with grants and livelihood support.
“Additionally, we are expanding the Happy Woman platform, a digital hub that provides access to empowerment programmes, financing opportunities, and the national marketplace,” she said.
In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Hon Pat Ajudua, emphasised that the distribution effort goes beyond handing out items but symbolises stronger collaboration between federal and state governments to advance gender equity.
“Women are the backbone of our families, the lifeblood of our communities, and a vital force in nation-building,” Ajudua said. “Recognising this, the State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has prioritised women’s empowerment as a key pillar of its development strategy.”
She noted that the items were specifically directed at the most vulnerable women as part of the state’s MORE Agenda to cushion economic hardship, foster resilience, and promote self-reliance.
“The support will undoubtedly improve the livelihoods and well-being of our women, enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to their families and communities,” Ajudua added.
The event was attended by government officials, community leaders, women’s groups, and beneficiaries, many of whom expressed appreciation for the intervention.
