L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka; Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Governor Kayode Fayemi and Iyaloja of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs.) Waye Oso, admiring a portrait presented to the Governor, during an interactive session with Ekiti Market women in Ado-Ekiti on....Thursday.
Market women in Ekiti State have praised Governor Kayode Fayemi for initiating and executing many policies which have boosted the status of women in the state.
The president of market men and women association in the state, Mrs. Omowaiye Oso, gave the commendation earlier today during Fayemi’s interface with market women in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. She declared the readiness of market women to support Fayemi for a second term in office to continue what she called the “good work going on in the state.”
The forum which was attended by market women from all the 16 local government areas was attended by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, wife of the governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi and other government functionaries.
Mrs. Oso who is also the Iyaloja of Ado-Ekiti said the Fayemi has restored the dignity of womenfolk by giving them economic empowerment and involving them in day-to-day running of his administration.
The market women chief said micro-credit loans given to women and other interest groups have empowered them to positively contribute to the economy of the state.
Mrs. Oso declared that all market women in the state would be ready to support Fayemi for a second term in office anytime he signifies interest to seek re-election from voters in the state.
While commending the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-led government for giving her association a pride of place, Mrs. Oso accused a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led regime of victimising her and other leaders of the association.
Mrs. Oso alleged that the bus given to her association by the government of Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo was withdrawn by the succeeding PDP government after which she was detained on trumped-up charges.
She lauded Fayemi for appointing more women into his cabinet and providing employment opportunities for their children which, according to her, has given members of her association a new lease of life.
Mrs. Oso said, “Fayemi has wiped away our tears, he has restored our dignity. He has given us what the previous administrations denied us.
“I want to tell you that your second term in office is sure, we are ready to support you even if a third term is allowed because you have done what others before you have not done.
“Whatever you want to do, we are ready to follow you and that is why all market women in Ekiti State are here today to meet with you.
“Adebayo gave us a bus but it was a PDP government that seized the bus from us and we were even detained thereafter but now we are enjoying under this government.”
Speaking earlier, Governor Fayemi said the interface with market women would be a regular event to render account of his stewardship and feel their pulse.
He said government is ready to support womenfolk with micro-credit loans as a means of giving them economic empowerment and reducing poverty in the state. The governor who described market women as important stakeholders in his administration said the interface would further allow them to make inputs into the business of governance.
“I know where the shoe pinches you and we know how important you are in this government.
“This government is ready to use resources at its disposal to assist you.
“We will continue to make life work for you and make life easier for you and the entire citizens of the state”, Fayemi said.
The deputy governor, Mrs. Olayinka, disclosed that the 16 local government councils of the state have resolved to give financial support to the state market women association apart from the usual support enjoyed from the state government.
She said the interface with market women was aimed at meeting them to know their challenges and to explore ways to solve them.
Wife of the governor, Mrs. Fayemi pledged to establish offices for the market women association in the state and each of the 16 LGAs. Mrs. Fayemi also disclosed that mobile clinincs would be provided in marketplaces while women farmers would be given empowerment to improve their inputs. She also reiterated the commitment of the administration to alleviate the transportation problems being faced by market women associations in the state by providing sixteen buses to them.
Last modified: April 26, 2012
