The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has described women as the bedrock of society, calling for greater female representation in governance. She commended the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo for appointing a significant number of women as Commissioners, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants.
Speaking during a meeting with Esan Central women at Government House in Benin City, Mrs. Anani said the administration is advancing toward 35% female representation among appointees, pointing to the deployment of women as local government candidates in the last election as proof of its commitment to gender inclusion.
She also called on women to rally behind one another when placed in positions of authority, cautioning that envy and internal rivalry only weaken collective progress. “When women are in positions of authority, please, women, support your own. As women, we must support each other. It’s better for us to be together than apart.” she said, noting that women are best positioned to speak to and resolve issues affecting them. She added that unity among female leaders is key to strengthening advocacy and improving service delivery across the State.
The Coordinator also appealed to mothers to take a more active role in steering children away from drug abuse, crime, and election-related violence ahead of the 2027 polls, noting that women, as managers of the home, exert critical influence over family values and community stability.
“We cannot afford to keep losing our children to drugs, crime, violence, and every other form of criminality,” she asserted.
She thanked the women for their continued support, expressed confidence that Edo women would stand with the government in tackling drug abuse and promoting peaceful elections, and pledged to work closely with them to achieve those goals.
Earlier in her remarks, the Leader of the Group and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization, Edo Central, Mrs. Azilomen Omonigho Blessing expressed support and outlined plans for voter mobilization ahead of the upcoming elections, noting that she had been visiting local governments and convening meetings to bring together women’s groups in order to increase awareness and ensure turnout. She also sought support to organize a larger gathering to further mobilize women and strengthen participation in the elections.
Gloria Osemudiamhen
Public Relations Officer
Office of the First Lady, Edo State.
Photo Caption
The Coordinator, Office of Edo First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani flanked by Edo Central Women during a meeting at the Government House in Benin City.
