Ondo State Advances Women’s Empowerment with O’Datiwa Initiative

Ondo State Government, under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has made significant strides in empowering women and vulnerable groups through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development’s wide array of programmes and initiatives between March and August 2025. These interventions align with the strategic O’Datiwa Women Initiative Blueprint, designed to uplift women economically, socially, and health-wise across the state.

Key among these efforts is the Free Skill Acquisition training for 200 women under the O’datiwa Skill Up a Woman initiative, aimed at boosting the entrepreneurial capabilities of low-income women. Complementing this is a Cash Grant scheme benefiting 1,000 low-income women earners, facilitating economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. Further strengthening inclusion, the ministry facilitated Ondo State women’s participation in the Nigeria for Women Project Scale (NFWP-SU), a World Bank-assisted project targeting 90,000 women nationwide, with Ondo’s counterpart funding duly provided.

Special attention has been devoted to widows through the Odatiwa Widows Care programme, which includes empowerment training and cash grants to 400 widows, ensuring vulnerable women remain supported. The government also pioneered the Boy Child Awareness Campaign across secondary schools to foster gender sensitivity and social cohesion.

An impressive milestone is the revitalization of the Ondo State 3rd Children’s Parliament with the election of the first female speaker. This parliamentary body benefits from capacity-building workshops and legislative exposure trips in partnership with Save The Children International and Hershe, fostering young leadership and civic participation.

In collaboration with UNICEF and BIGIF, the ministry drives an End Female Genital Mutilation awareness campaign, part of a larger push to protect women’s rights and health. Regular innovative programmes and prizes commemorate National Children’s Day, adding to the focus on youth empowerment.

The ministry is also proactive in addressing domestic violence, with timely interventions and fast-tracking prosecution of offenders, demonstrating a commitment to protecting women and children from abuse.

On health, the Health is Wealth Scheme reaches vulnerable groups with free rural medical outreaches benefiting 1,000 elderly persons per local government area. Notably, free eye surgery was provided to a 14-year-old orphaned boy, and five mentally challenged women have been rescued and reintegrated into society, underscoring the ministry’s inclusive approach.

Human capital development has featured prominently with strategic engagements involving female stakeholders, workshops for elected and appointed female officials, and sessions complementing children’s education. The O’datiwa Market-to-Market Women Engagement initiative (Elosoloja) further reinforces economic collaboration among women traders.

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Infrastructure improvements include approved renovations and transformation of the Ministry of Women Affairs’ facilities, drilling of boreholes in key locations such as the Children’s Home, and skills acquisition activities within correctional homes.

These robust programmes echo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration’s promise of prosperity, social inclusion, and #WomenOClock in Ondo State. As the year advances, the ministry vows to continue delivering impactful results, ensuring no woman is left behind in Ondo’s development trajectory.

Ondo State Women, indeed, get ready for more empowerment, prosperity, and transformation in the coming months — it is the O’Datiwa Odirorun era!