The Office of the First Lady, Edo State Government, has received a proposal from Heifer Nigeria, aimed at empowering women-farmers in the State. This development follows the successful partnership between the Edo State Government, Amo Farms, and Heifer Nigeria, which led to the commissioning of a chicken factory at Obayantor Community, Sapele road, Benin City.
The chicken factory was established to strengthen the State’s agricultural landscape and empower youths and women.
In her address, Mrs. Anani expressed her gratitude to Heifer Nigeria for extending opportunities to women in the State. ‘Women are more resilient, they are more meticulous and it is good to have partners that have the interest of women at heart.’
While explaining the place of women in nation building, Mrs. Anani cited the example of Rwandan women who inspired a national revolution, highlighting the crucial role they play in national development.
‘Empowering a woman equals empowering a nation. You’re not just empowering the woman, you’re empowering the State, and you’re empowering the nation.’
The Programme Coordinator of Heifer Nigeria, Mrs. Onyekachi Ayevbuomwan, outlined the programme’s goals, including emancipating a large number of people from poverty.
According to her, Heifer Nigeria aims to empower women to own their development, reduce gender-based violence, and provide training to build their capacities.
‘What we do in Heifer, is to make sure that everyone tries to support the ecosystem to be better, because as an organisation it is not a programme. We have a goal to take 6.5 million households out of poverty in the year 2030.
‘We already have 25 places across the 18 local government areas and they are training everyday 25 member groups. I am putting them into groups already.’
Mrs. Ayevbuomwan also noted that Heifer Nigeria provides women with transformative training programmes, focusing on mindset shift and behavioral development. These initiatives aim to enhance women’s capacities and link them to opportunities that foster economic growth and social empowerment.
