By Halima Isah
Wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Ododo has commended Kogi women for the support they gave to her husband that led to the victory of the ruling APC at the November 2023 gubernatorial election.
Hajia Sefinat gave the commendation on Tuesday while hosting women groups across the state at the Glass House in Government House, Lokoja.
The wife of the governor said she called for the meeting to thank the women for their support, because without them, her husband would not have succeeded in clinching victory in the last governorship election.
The Kogi First Lady who pledged to run an open-door policy, noted that she is prepared to support in propagating programmes that will add value to the lives of women in Kogi State.
In her words, “Your progress is my progress. I am here for everyone. I am a free person. Feel free to talk to me. My door will always be opened as the First Lady of Kogi State to attend to every one of your cries.”
While calling for more support from the women in her quest to embark on progressive developmental activities that would improve the lives of women, the wife of the governor assured them of opportunities that would transform and directly impact their lives in her husband’s administration.
She also appealed for sustained peace and unity, stressing its critical role in achieving collective progress in their endeavour for a better future.
In her remarks, the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade who described the Kogi First Lady as a woman that is down-to-earth, enjoined the women to maintain their support for her office to enjoy more benefits.
Mrs. Ayoade who noted that the wife of Kogi Governor has a heart of gold, added that Mrs. Ododo is well ready and willing to touch lives and make her mark.
“The First Lady is fully ready and willing to touch lives and carry all Kogi women along. Only give her your support. There is no sectional agenda. We are one, and we only have the Kogi Agenda.”
Mrs. Ayoade cautioned the women to shun the act of indolence and the ‘pull him down’ syndrome, stressing that the present administration under the leadership of Governor Ododo is a new era that would not tolerate divisiveness.
“Enough of gossip and rumours here and there. Don’t adopt the ‘pull him down’ syndrome. Enough of backbites. This is a new era. Let’s be careful to sow the right seeds. The Universe sees every one of us and what we do.”
“So, do the right thing and do not dwell on the negatives. I did not know I was going to still be here today, but here I am, and it may be your turn tomorrow. Let’s support the people there today and be careful to sow the right seeds,” she admonished.
The Kogi SSG called on all women across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state to throw their weight behind the First Lady and chart a new cause of progress.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Fatima Momoh, appealed to Hajia Sefiya to sponsor programmes on political participation, healthcare, gender-based violence, and enlightenment on legal matters, amongst others, where women are adequately informed and given more opportunities to thrive.
There were goodwill messages from women across the three senatorial districts including the Wife of the Speaker of Kogi Assembly, a one-time Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Mrs. Yemisi Ogunmola, Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), representatives of Immigration Services, wives of fallen heroes, among others pledged their loyalty and asked for empowerment programmes for women to become self-reliant.
