Lifestyle

Stronger laws needed to tackle gender-based violence – Mrs. Abiodun

By Web News 854

The Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA, has been urged to enact a law that will put a stop to all forms of gender-based violence among the people.

The appeal was made by a group of people involved in activism against gender-based violence in the state, led by the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun and the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako- Oyedele during an advocacy visit to the Assembly Complex in Abeokuta.

The group noted that the visit as part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence was to advocate for a law to prohibit the violence, including battering, bullying and other harmful acts against children, women and men.

They requested that relevant amendments should be effected on relevant laws in the state to reflect the current realities in the society and help to curb all forms of gender-based violence.

Responding, the speaker, Mr. Olakunle Oluomo promised that the 9th Assembly would assist in reviewing the relevant laws to checkmate human rights abuse for the promotion of peaceful coexistence and the elimination of any forms of gender-based violence in society.

While commending the stakeholders for choosing gender-based violence as the focus, the speaker advised them to sponsor a bill to tackle such abuses being faced by women and men daily, adding that all efforts must be geared towards stamping it out of society.

Others on the entourage of the wife of the governor included the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape and a former Speaker, Mrs Titilayo Oseni-Gomez.

Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Economy

Abiodun Supports Female Entrepreneurs With 26 Million Naira Interest-Free Loan

By Web News 930

Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has presented cheques worth 26 million naira interest-free loan to 11 women entrepreneurs in her quest to empower women in the society.

Mrs. Abiodun, at the event marking the 2020 Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, restated her commitment to ensuring women entrepreneurs in the State, have access to loan opportunities, for the growth of their businesses.

She said it was necessary for government and corporate bodies to assist the women folk, saying, “when we reflect on the mandate of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, we are reminded that educated women are powerful force for change, that is why I am a strong proponent of girl child empowerment, because the long term gains for our societies are worth the investment”.

The First Lady disclosed that her office received correspondence from SheVentures team in January, 2020, explaining that the vision behind the initiative was to empower women in business in Ogun State.

She said the gesture would help open women entrepreneurs up to potential opportunities around them.

“In January this year, I received some correspondence from the team, explaining the vision behind SHE-VENTURES. It was a simple vision to empower women in business in Ogun State. The initiative was their response to growing calls to support women owned enterprises through financial and non- financial means, that can open them up to potential opportunities around them”, she remarked.

Mrs Abiodun appreciated FCMB SHE-VENTURES team for supporting Ogun State Government and advised the beneficiaries to put the loan to judicious use.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Kikelomo Longe, former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru, former, Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Titi Oseni and Ms Bukola Onabanjo in their goodwill messages, unanimously enjoined the beneficiaries to invest the loan wisely, so as to be qualified for more after their repayment tenure.

The Executive Director, Business Development, FCMB, Mrs Bukola Smith in her address, acknowledged the role of Mrs Abiodun in empowering women in the State, promising that the bank would continue to be supportive of her office and the womenfolk.

She stated that FCMB recognised the role of women as entrepreneurs, nation builders and catalysts to sustainable development, explaining that the initiative was to give special attention to women entrepreneurs for easier access to finance, capacity building and building networks, which according to her would in turn bring about job creation and poverty reduction in the society.

Modupeola Sobukonla