The Edo State First Lady’s Office has expressed readiness to partner with the Sir Henry Osegbowa Foundation to expand humanitarian support and empowerment programmes for vulnerable residents across the state.
The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, stated this when she received members of the Sir Henry Osegbowa Foundation on a courtesy visit at the Government House in Benin City.
Mrs. Anani commended the Foundation for its commitment to supporting vulnerable members of society, describing humanitarian service as a worthy sacrifice that requires compassion and dedication.
She said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remained committed to skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, particularly for women and residents at the grassroots.
According to her, the state government has established skills acquisition centres where residents can acquire vocational skills to become self-reliant and economically productive.
Mrs. Anani also highlighted various interventions of her office aimed at supporting women in rural communities, including cash grants to help beneficiaries expand their businesses.
She further disclosed that the Pad Bank initiative provides sanitary pads to women and girls, particularly in underserved communities, while a monitoring and evaluation team tracks the distribution and impact of the programme.
Earlier, the President of the Sir Henry Osegbowa Foundation, Mrs. Tina Osegbowa, said the organisation was established to complement government efforts in addressing the needs of vulnerable people.
She said the Foundation had supported widows, single mothers, pregnant women and individuals facing financial difficulties, including those unable to settle hospital bills.
Osegbowa added that the Foundation had also visited three orphanages, where it rehabilitated living spaces and donated footwear and educational materials to the children.
She appealed for a formal partnership with the Office of the First Lady, expressing confidence that collaboration would enable both organisations to reach more widows, persons with disabilities, children and other vulnerable groups.
The visit underscored the importance of collaboration between government and humanitarian organisations in expanding social interventions and improving the welfare of vulnerable residents across Edo State.
