Reps Committee on Women Affairs Commences 2-Day Assessment Visit to Edo
A delegation from the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs has commenced a *two-day assessment visit* to Edo State.
The delegation, led by the Director/Clerk and Team Lead, Hajia Aishatu Inusa, paid a courtesy visit to the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to review the state’s policies and programs on women empowerment and
Speaking during the visit, Hajia Inusa explained that the exercise was an assessment, not an interrogation, aimed at evaluating the implementation of the second phase of the Jewels of Hope and Development in Nigeria programme and the collaboration between the Ministry and the Office of the First Lady. She noted that the assessment would identify Edo State’s success stories for possible replication in other states.
She added that the team would undertake field visits to assess projects firsthand and emphasized that while the Ministry is funded through government budgetary allocations, the Office of the First Lady carries out interventions through humanitarian initiatives.
In her welcome remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. (Mrs.) Eugenia Abdallah, appreciated the Committee for its oversight role and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting the welfare of women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups through programmes on women’s empowerment, child protection, social welfare, and the prevention of gender-based violence.
The Commissioner also highlighted the Ministry’s collaboration with development partners, civil society organisations, security agencies, the judiciary, and healthcare providers, while calling for sustained support to address increasing demands for protection services and rehabilitation programmes.
Following the meeting, the delegation, accompanied by the Honourable Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary, Directors, and staff of the Ministry, embarked on an inspection tour of key facilities. The team visited the Vivian Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), where they were received and taken round the facility by the Centre Manager, Dr. Faith Edebor.
The delegation also visited the Edo State Migration Agency, where the Director General, Hon. Chief Lucky Agazuma, received the team and conducted them round the agency’s facilities, highlighting its efforts in addressing migration-related issues in the state.
The assessment team proceeded to the Children’s Correctional Centre at Ugbekun, Upper Sakponba Road, before visiting the expansive farmland allocated to female farmers through the Office of the First Lady, coordinated by Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani and facilitated by the Integrated Farmers Association of Nigeria.
At the farm, some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government for providing them with access to farmland and opportunities to improve their livelihoods. To demonstrate the success of the initiative, they harvested cassava in the presence of the delegation, showcasing the productivity and impact of the programme.
The assessment visit continues with further engagements aimed at strengthening collaboration and enhancing programmes that improve the lives of women, children, and other vulnerable persons across Edo State.
