By Mercy Akuba
The Founder of the Women Helping Women Foundation, Prof. Elizabeth Pedro, has congratulated the newly inaugurated chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State, particularly the Chairman of Egor Local Government Council, Hon. Osaro Eribo, on their assumption of office as Elected Chairmen.
Pedro, who spoke shortly after the inauguration ceremony held at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, described the event as a significant step towards strengthening grassroots governance and bringing development closer to the people.
She congratulated Hon. Eribo on his inauguration and urged him to make the welfare and development of the people of Egor Local Government Area his top priority.
According to her, local government administration plays a crucial role in addressing the immediate needs of citizens, particularly women, youths and other vulnerable groups at the grassroots.
While commending the Edo State Government for its renewed emphasis on grassroots development, Pedro called on the newly inaugurated council chairmen to give greater attention to women’s empowerment, noting that women constitute a significant force in driving economic growth and development.
She stressed the need for deliberate policies and programmes that would provide women with access to skills acquisition, entrepreneurship opportunities, financial support and other resources required to achieve economic independence.
Pedro said empowering women at the grassroots would not only improve the well-being of families but also contribute significantly to the state’s economic development.
She therefore appealed to the council chairmen to partner with women-focused organisations and other relevant stakeholders to establish sustainable empowerment programmes that would positively impact women across their respective communities.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, charged the newly inaugurated council chairmen to return to their respective local government areas and serve the people, reminding them that residents would be monitoring and assessing their performance.
The Governor emphasised that his administration remained committed to empowering the grassroots and urged the chairmen to ensure that the dividends of democracy reached the people at the local level.
He called on the council chairmen to prioritise projects and programmes that would directly improve residents’ quality of life and contribute to the development of their respective local government areas.
Pedro, while congratulating the chairmen once again, expressed optimism that their tenure would usher in meaningful development and improved opportunities for women and other residents at the grassroots.