A group of female and non-political professionals in the country, S.M.A.R.T Women, has commended the efforts of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in S.M.A.R.T governance and friendly disposition towards the female gender.
The group having monitored female support activities around the country, noted that the state governor is one of the few governors dedicated in supporting the affirmative action and female advocacy towards gender equality.
According to the co-conveners of the group, Bunmi Oke and Folake Aina, it is time to speak out in support of the governor who has been performing optimally with women activities in Ogun state.
“We have noticed Governor Abiodun’s symbiotic relationship with the female gender; he is a gender friendly governor,” the group stated.
“We were elated with his ‘Oko’wo Dapo’, which is meant to lift the people, especially the women, (whom he has identified as a bit disadvantaged), out of poverty. He has empowered over 50,000 grassroot women with the scheme. This, they say, is very laudable in a state where the women comprise almost half the population.
“We also noted with delight, his adoption and support for the world number one female hurdle sprinter, Tobi Amusan.
“His support for women in Ogun state and beyond is unprecedented. We have so many examples to list: check his judiciary, which is headed by a woman, his cabinet for example, his deputy is a female.
“There is almost an equal number of commissioners and Special Advisers (SAs) between men and women. He has proven to be a S.M.A.R.T Governor in his approach on governance.
“His policies are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely (S.M.A.R.T)”, the group said, using its acronym to describe the governor.
Noting that women were ready to roll out the drums in support of governor’s giant strides in the state, the S.M.A.R.T women expressed their desires in ensuring that more dividends of democracy are delivered to more women across the entire nation.
They, therefore, advocated strong support for the reelection bid of the governor, saying that women of Ogun State should allow continuity of their upliftment through his reelection.
Emphasising that the governor deserved a second term, the group hinges its support on the governor’s friendly disposition towards women emancipation.
“If our women contribute N2,000 weekly and they have N8,000 in the fourth week, the governor promised that they would be given N32,000 loan.
If it is N5,000 they contribute weekly and have N20,000 at the end of the four weeks, the state government will loan them N80,000.
“It is a welcome development. These are the kind of initiatives we need for female interventions at the grassroots. You can imagine that facilitators at the ward level would be paid every month, it is simply amazing,” the group added.
The female professionals, however, urged all women in Ogun State to take advantage of the governor’s friendly disposition towards them and file out in their large numbers to queue behind the governor, so as to ensure they get the S.M.A.R.T governance they desire.
The co-conveners also advised the women to put in extra effort in their support for the governor and ensure his success at the polls, come 2023.
