Edo govt pledges inclusion of Arewa community, targets more women empowerment

By Olatonmiwa Osho

The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the inclusion of the Arewa Community in its governance and development programmes, while calling for greater participation of Arewa women in empowerment initiatives.

The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, gave the assurance when she received a delegation of the Arewa Community, led by the Special Assistant on Arewa Community Relations, Alhaji Mansur Ibrahim, at the Government House in Benin City.

Anani commended the community for maintaining peace and supporting government programmes, urging its leadership to nominate women representatives to benefit from relevant empowerment and welfare initiatives.

She said empowering Arewa women would have a wider impact on the community and pledged the continued collaboration of the Office of the First Lady with the group.

Earlier, Ibrahim said the delegation visited the Government House to strengthen its engagement with the state government and express solidarity with the administration.

He also highlighted government support for the community, including the appointment of Special Assistants.

The Arewa APC Youth Leader, Rabiu Salisu, commended infrastructure projects across the three senatorial districts and appealed for greater inclusion of Arewa women in government programmes.

The meeting ended with an agreement for the Arewa leadership to nominate women representatives for further discussions with the Office of the First Lady on their participation in relevant government initiatives.