Mrs Akeredolu vows to continue her predecessor’s programme ‘Gbebiro’

By Oluniyi Akintunde Akure

Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu has promised her commitment to continue the monthly ‘Gbebiro’ programme initiated by her predecessors, Mrs Olukemi Mimiko.

Mrs Akeredolu also expressed her readiness to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGMC) out of the state.

The wife of the governor made this know today Thursday in Akure at the 2017 International Women’s Day (IWD) Celebration, which was her first official assignment since Governor Rotimi Akeredolu-led administration was sworn in on Friday.

According to her, the theme of the celebration: “Be Bold for Change,” would help to raise “women that are bold with decorum” so that they could be proactive and take positive actions to drive gender equality.

Aside the boldness and courage to impact the society, she pointed out that the campaign would also “change the world of work,” and help to attain 35 Percent Affirmative Action before 2030.

She said the dream would be driven by the education of the girl-child.

Mrs Akeredolu stressed that women “were housewives” but now are gradually graduating to captains of industries, top decision makers in all facets of life; and we are marching on.

She said: “Housewife is not synonymous with motherhood. You can be a mother and house wife, and still be at the top of your careers. It is no longer man’s world, it is man and woman’s world.”

The wife of the governor lamented traditional practices against women, especially the FGMC, asserting that “we are going to fight against it and I am going to lead it. It will be stamped out of this state.”

She disclosed that a 24 member “Committee of the Wise Women” carefully chosen across the 18 council areas has been inaugurated to celebrate women, who have achieved in their respective professions and to help build self-esteem among the folk.

Mrs Akeredolu, who is an NGO and Public Health professional, said the problems facing women would be identified and solutions would be proffered to them, saying that it was high time for those things she had clamoured for before she assumed office to be done.

Her words: “We will identify gaps and work towards bridging those gaps,” she said, declaring that “I will continue Gbebiro, it is something that has been on ground for many years. Whatever your predecessors did and that are good, you continue them.”