Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo has promised that his government will make women a priority in the governance of the state by investing in them.

Mr Aiyedatiwa made the promise on Friday during the celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day held in Akure, the state capital.

Represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, the governor said his administration would deliver on programmes that would benefit women in the state.

He specifically stressed that women, considered mothers of the nation, have a lot of roles to play for society to achieve the much-desired progress.

“I sincerely believe that investing in women is not just a question of moral obligation; it is an economic and social demand. When we invest in women, we invest in the prosperity of our generations yet unborn, economies and the entire community.

“It is our common belief in this part of the world that when you train a woman, you train the whole nation. This belief buttresses the fact that investment in women is never a waste as it always has positive multiplier effects on the society,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said.

According to him, his administration would continue to grant women equal access to all available opportunities, support women-owned businesses and break barriers that tend to impede women’s progress in the state.

He, however, assured that his government would equally give priority attention and invest in women’s health, safety, and well-being as well as combat the rising tide of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) among others.

Helen Ogunsuyi, a guest lecturer at the event, underscored the need to give priority to woman and their needs in society and advised the women to find alternative sources of livelihood to support their husbands to sustain the family.