Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the wife of the Ondo State governor, has called on the government at all levels to intensify efforts on women empowerment for rapid development and poverty reduction in the country.

Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu made the call at the graduation and closing ceremony of the one-month skill acquisition and empowerment programme for young women on Saturday in Akure.

The programme was organised by the Ondo State Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Programme (OSSA-EP) in collaboration with the office of the wife of the governor.

“You want Nigeria to be economically developed or be counted among developed nations, and half of your women population are illiterate and unemployed. How do you think you can progress?” She queried.

“But it is not rocket science to change the narrative of women in the country. All that is required is for somebody to sit down, come up with a purposeful plan and execute a meaningful programme.”

She said that half of the country’s population should be empowered and made to have a sense of belonging.

She, therefore, called on women in positions of authority to continually support their fellow women so that the poverty level in the state and the country would reduce significantly.

“Many women fail to recognise that for us to change the story of women, we must support fellow women because we don’t have ‘Girls Brigade’ like the boys do.

“Women supporting women is not by mouth. If you are in a position of authority, give a lifeline to a fellow woman because it has a multiplier effect as it will continue going on and on,” she said.

The wife of the governor, who advised all the beneficiaries to make use of the start-up kits rather than selling them, admonished widows in Ondo State to key-into widows projects.

(NAN)