By Ayodele Oni
Edo State government has promised to break barriers among womenfolk by opening up non-traditional career paths, including commercial tricycle operations, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, alongside other empowerment programmes to be introduced quarterly.
The state Governor, Monday Okpebholo, also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering women, protecting the girl child and expanding access to education, healthcare and vocational training across the state.
The governor gave the assurance in his message to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, stressing that his administration would sustain policies and programmes aimed at promoting the safety, welfare and economic independence of women and girls.
Okpebholo described investment in the girl child as a critical component of the state’s development agenda, insisting that every girl deserves access to quality education, adequate healthcare and opportunities to realise her full potential.
“A girl who is in school, healthy and safe today will lead a family, a business or an institution tomorrow. That is why we treat the girl child as a development issue, not a ceremonial one,” he said.
The governor noted that his administration was committed to equipping women with relevant skills and creating opportunities for them to participate actively in different sectors of the economy.
As part of the initiative, he disclosed that 50 women had recently graduated from a training programme in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle conversion, describing the initiative as the first specifically designed to train female mechanics.
On the protection and welfare of girls, Okpebholo highlighted interventions under the Office of the First Lady, including the Pad a Girl programme and initiatives under the SHINE Agenda, as well as the enforcement of the state’s Violence Against Persons laws.
The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to reducing maternal deaths and improving access to quality maternal healthcare throughout Edo State.
“No woman should have to risk her life to bring a child into the world,” he said, adding that the government’s maternal health interventions were designed to make safe childbirth accessible to women in every community.
According to him, the state has engaged skilled birth attendants in primary healthcare centres, while the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme has supported more than 674 childbirths.
He further disclosed that the Edo Specialist Hospital secured full accreditation for obstetrics and gynaecology residency training in July 2026, while the state launched Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week in June as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery for mothers and children.
Despite the progress recorded, Okpebholo acknowledged that more work was needed to ensure that girls remain in school and are protected from abuse, exploitation and other forms of violence.
He therefore called on parents, traditional rulers and community leaders to partner with the government in safeguarding the girl child, noting that the responsibility required collective action.
“There is still a lot to do. I urge parents, traditional rulers and community leaders to work with us, because no government can protect the girl child alone.”
The governor congratulated women and girls across Edo State on the occasion, reaffirming his administration’s determination to uphold their dignity, strengthen their protection and expand opportunities for their advancement.
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