Ekiti women commend Fayemi on empowerment

… urge him to run for second term

Market women in Ekiti State have praised Governor Kayode Fayemi for initiating and executing policies that 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 last week 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."

At the forum, which was attended by market women from all the 16 local government areas, was the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka; wife of the governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi and other government functionaries.

Oso, who is also the Iyaloja of Ado-Ekiti, said Fayemi has restored the dignity of womenfolk by giving them economic empowerment and involving them in the 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.

She declared that all market women in the state would be ready to support Fayemi for a second term in office anytime the governor signifies interest.

While commending the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-led government for giving her association a pride of place, Mrs. Oso accused the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)-led regimes of victimising her and other leaders of the association.

Oso alleged that the bus given to her association by the government of Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo was withdrawn by the succeeding PDP government after which she was detained on trumped-up charges.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.

According to her, "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 and we are ready to support you even if a third term is allowed because you have done what others before you have not done."

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.