Eugenia Abdallah, Edo commissioner for women’s affairs and social development, has urged Iraokhor residents to support the All Progressives Congress.

Ms Abdallah, who hails from Iraokhor in Etsako Central council area, made the appeal on Tuesday in Benin. She was reacting to her recent visit to Etsako, where she engaged residents, particularly youths, on empowerment and development issues.

Ms Abdallah said the visit was aimed at reconnecting with residents, listening to their concerns and identifying areas where she could contribute to improving their livelihoods.

According to her, leadership should not be confined to the office but should involve regular engagement with the grassroots.

“It is paramount to remain connected to the grassroots, listen to the people and understand challenges affecting their daily lives, particularly the community youths,” Ms Abdallah said.

The commissioner said she had supported various community initiatives targeting youths, women and vulnerable persons.

Ms Abdallah said a motorcycle was provided to a town crier, whose motorcycle was damaged in an accident, affecting his ability to perform community responsibilities. She added that seven other motorcycles were distributed to beneficiaries in Iraokhor in August to support their economic activities and livelihoods.

Ms Abdallah also listed support for 10 women operating small businesses, including grinding machines for market women and generators for those involved in ice-block production.

She said the interventions were aimed at addressing practical needs, strengthening small businesses and promoting economic independence among beneficiaries.

Ms Abdallah urged residents to recognise the progress recorded in Edo under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration. She appealed to residents to continue supporting the APC at both state and national levels.

“I want to encourage our people to continue to support APC at both the state and national levels. We need this continuity to sustain the progress already recorded, improve the living conditions of our people and promote further development in our communities,” she said.

Ms Abdallah added that sustained collaboration between the federal and state governments would help extend development initiatives to communities. She identified unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, limited economic opportunities and insufficient access to vocational training as challenges facing youths in Iraokhor.

Ms Abdallah said greater attention should be given to vocational training, agriculture, entrepreneurship, access to finance and infrastructure development.

Ms Abdallah said she hoped to support more programmes in skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and small-business development. She explained that future interventions would be guided by people’s needs, available resources, and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Ms Abdallah described giving back to her community as a personal responsibility and privilege, adding that public office provided an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to people’s lives.

(NAN)