By: Kemi Peters

The World Bank Task Team Lead for Nigeria For Women Project, Mr. Michael Ilesanmi has commended the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his  commitment towards the success of the project in the state.

Ilesanmi who gave the commendation at the Mid- Term Implementation Review held at the office of the Deputy Governor, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta said that the flag-off ceremony  for the disbursement of individual grant to beneficiaries which was done in tandem with the relaunch of "Okowo" Dapo  was a clear testament of government ownership towards the project.

"I have spent almost a decade with World Bank and I have been part of series of projects within the country but what happened at the flagoff of disbursement of individual grant in Ogun State was a clear testament of government ownership of this project and it shows that sustainability of the project is certain." Ilesanmi said.

He noted that the state is setting the pace among other selected states for the World Bank Assisted Project, adding that the level of Ogun State government's committement to the project has starred up other states who have started showing interest in the project.

The Task Team Lead (TTL) further praised the state government who in its wisdom has decided to expand the project to other Local Government Areas in the state through the Okowo Dapo initiative, as well as other empowerment initiatives of the Dapo Abiodun led administration.

In her contribution, the National Project Coordinator, Mrs. Ruth Mshelia lauded the state government for the huge success recorded on the project,  saying "the testimonies of the beneficiaries have said it all".

In her remarks, the Deputy Governor, Engineer Noimat Salako Oyedele said that testimonies on the field showed that the project is touching life, stressing that those testimonies were not scripted, commending the team of NFWP in Ogun State for a job well done.

She said  it was a clear fact and truth  that the relaunch of Okowo Dapo designed to lend women money to trade and repay within a short time was an idea emulated from NFWP,  

adding that the multiplier effect of the project on families, communities, as well as the behavioural changes in the families made the project a worthwhile initiative.

In her contribution, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affiars and Social Development, who also is the secretary of State Steering Committee, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi affirmed that the project has significant impact in the life of women as the rate of domestic violence has drastically reduced and husbands of some of the beneficiaries have come out to testify that their wives empowerment have helped to prevent fight, as well as promote communal livelihood.

She added that the training given to these women in the course of the project has been of great help in their businesses, soliciting for more support from the Government particularly now that Ikene Local Government Area would be included in the pioneering LGs soon.

She said presently the state has a total of 2,431 Women Affinity Groups (WAG) and with the inclusion of Ikene LG, the state would be having more than the expected 54,000 beneficiaries within the state.

Other dignitaries at the meeting  were Co Task Team Lead, Mrs. Vicki Esquiuel from World Bank, Sybil Chidiac, Senior Program Officer, from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, partner with World Bank in the NFWP, Mrs Bolanle Fadairo State Project Coordinator among others.