Edo First Lady admonishes over 200 female SSAs, SAs on call to service as Obaseki appoints over 400 women

The First Lady of Edo State,Her Excellency Besty Obaseki has admonished the new female Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants to Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki on the need to see their appointments as a call to service.

Her Excellency Betsy Obaseki said this during a two day orientation program organised for female SSAs and SAs in the Governor Godwin Obaseki led administration drawn from the three Senatorial districts of the state at the Edo State Government House.

She said the training became necessary to expose the new female political appointees on their roles and expectations in advancing development in the Gov. Obaseki led administration.

Over 400 women were appointed into various offices and parastatals by Governor Godwin Obaseki, an action which has been hailed as a first since the inception of democracy in Edo State.

Despite the Covid19 lockdown Her Excellency insisted on the need for the training which saw 200 women trained in ten halls simultaneously via internet thereby adhering to the social distancing rules of the Edo State Government.

In her address the First Lady of Edo State urged the women to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge that would enable them be outstanding in the discharge of their duties emphasising that men will not give women positions just because they are women but because they merit it.

She added that there is need to inculcate proper work culture that will make the women productive in the discharge of their duties noting that the Covid 19 pandemic has caused changes in the world which means that only smart and innovative women would survive.

She urged the women to change with the present reality, look inward and come up with strategies to survive during and after the pandemic.

She also tasked the women to be in the fore front in the state government campaign on the prevention of coronavirus at the grassroot.

The First Lady gave the terms of reference for the political appointment to include mobilization ahead of the Edo 2020 Gubernatorial election, sensitization and monitoring of government projects.

Also, Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Maryann Shaibu urged the SSAs and SAs to be supportive of one another and work as a team.

Her Excellency Mrs Shaibu said women had continued to play active roles in the development of the state urging the female appointees to contribute their quota at the grassroot level.

Meanwhile, Edo APC mobilisation secretary, Dr Amadasun while speaking on effective participation of women in politics tasked the female appointees to work for the good of people of the state.

The state APC chairman, Mr Anselm Ojezua and Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters (Edo South) Hon Osagbovo Iyoha, commended the female SSAs and SAs on their well deserved appointment.

The duo said women had continued to be the strength of the party in the state calling on the appointees to canvas for more members to join APC as the party embarks on its registration process.

Other speakers at the training were the Honorable Commissioner for Social Development and Gender, Maria Edekor Esq, Focal Person, Edo Social Investment Programme, Ms Osayuwamen Aladeselu, Managing Director, Edo Skills Development Agency, Mrs Ukinebo Dare, Mrs Florence Oyakhilome, Edo State Agency for the Control of HIV/Aids, Dr. Joan Oviawe of the Edo State Ministry of Education (SUBEB,)Uyi Oduwa- Malaka Special Adviser on Strategic Planning/Chairman Program Management Office Edo State Government and Special Adviser on Gender, Honourable Efosa Uyigwe who talked on Sensitisation in communities, Value orientation, Reporting and Reporting Format and gave a brief about government activities in the various MDAs.