By joshua 
Women Affairs Commissioner reels Ododo’s consolidation on Kogi women & Youth empowerment
By Chris Ben-Kato Senior Special Assistant on Information and communication strategy
It is often said “No woman, no nation” This strong believe formed the nexus to which the immediate past governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello and his successor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo have revolved their administration on women inclusivity in governance.
In the last one year, the Chief Servant of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has strongly consolidated on women inclusivity in his administration. It is no gain saying that women in the state are fully involved in the day to day running of the administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
It is to the advantage of Kogi women that it has the ministry of Women Affairs and Youth development and as at today Hajia Fatimah Momoh is the commissioner of the ministry.
In the last one year, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has provided many ample opportunities for the ministry of women Affairs and Youth development in collaboration with the Kogi State office of the first Lady ably chaired by Her Excellency, Hajia Sefinat Ododo to carry out several outreaches and programmes for Kogi State Women and youths alike.
His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo in his magnanimity supported women into the positions of Vice Chairmen and Council Leaders in all the twenty one Local Government Areas of the state in the last Local Government elections in the state. No State in the country has broken this rare record on women inclusivity in governance in the country. The administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo deserve a very laudable commendation for this rare feat.
It is also on record that through the support of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, a woman in the state in person of Rt.Hon Comfort Uchola is today the Deputy Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly. On assumption of office the governor also re-appointed Dr. Folashade Arike Ayo-Ade PHD who has served in his predecessor’s cabinet as the Secretary to Kogi State Government. This of course is another glaring record placed by the governor for Kogi Women.
A peep into His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo’s cabinet glaringly reveals that four women are in his cabinet. We have Hajia Fatimah Momoh as the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Youth development, Dr. Helen Adeniyi as commissioner for innovation, Science and Technology, Hon Rabiat Okwute Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hon Acharu Okpanachi Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. Again His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has demonstrated that he is a gender sensitive political leader in the state. At any point in time the governor has the women in the state at heart and has continued to carry them along in all his programme.
It is also worthy to note that women form the bulk of the Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Ward Senior Special Assistants, Board members etc etc in the administration of His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Of utmost importance also is the fact that, the Chief Servant of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo since assumption of office on January 27, 2024 has continued to invest substantially on Women Economic Empowerment in the state.
The office of the Commissioner for Women Affairs in collaboration with the office of Kogi State First Lady, Her Excellency Hajia Sefinat Ododo has organized several economic Empowerment programmes for Kogi Women and youths and had also provided substantial funds into the hands of Kogi State Women and youths for self economic empowerment. This lauded initiative has positioned Kogi State Women and youths for self reliance. Kudos to the administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
In the last one year, the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Youth development has affected the good lives of Kogi Women and the youths alike.
At last year’s International Day for Women and Children’s day both the offices of the commissioner of Women Affairs and Youth development and the office of Kogi State First Lady organized several Women economic empowerment programmes for Kogi Women and youths.
The ministry of Women Affairs and Youth development under Hajia Fatimah Momoh has engaged the Forum of Wards Senior Special Assistants towards providing succour to Orphans across the state.
Interestingly the Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth development is also collaborating with Action Aid International towards the economic empowerment of Kogi Women and the youths in Kogi State. All these efforts are made possible in the last one year through the positive political and economic will of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
There is no gainsaying that the Chief Servant of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is a gender sensitive governor. His Women inclusivity in his administration has endeared him to the hearts of the entire Kogi State Women and youths in the state.
YOUR EXCELLENCY KOGI STATE WOMEN AND YOUTHS ARE PROUD OF YOU