The Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development said it had concluded arrangement to train women across the sixteen local governments in vocational skills for them to be economically productive and self-reliant.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Asiat Ayinke Saka disclosed this in Ilorin yesterday while speaking at an interactive session with the wives of local government chairmen and heads of women development units in the councils. She said five women would be drawn from each local government to receive vocational training for one year at the cost of N5,000 each.

She mentioned available trades to include fashion design, knitting, catering, soap making and cosmetology, hair dressing, bead making, leather work, tye and dye among others. The Commissioner said the programme was an attempt to fulfill the pledges of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to ensure that women are well empowered through skill acquisition.

She added that the ministry was planning an effective micro credit loan scheme for small and medium scale enterprises as well as procurement and distribution of equipment. Dr Ayinke Saka disclosed further that the state government had initiated agricultural empowerment programme with the sole purpose of encouraging more women in agricultural practices.

This, according to her would not only boost food production but also empower the teeming population of women and youths. "It is also intended to generate employment for women as well as create value chain opportunities for agro allied businesses.

"To achieve this noble objective, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has been mandated to collaborate Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources under the auspices of Out Growers Scheme and Off-takers Demand Driven Agriculture (ODDA)".

She said the major focus included rice, soya beans, cassava, maize and yam as well as poultry and fish farming.

While soliciting the support of wives of local government chairmen and heads of women development units in the council towards the realization of the se goals, she said the ministry alone could not do it but with the support of all stakeholders.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Victor Abioye said one of the activities lined up for this year's International Women Day included free health testing and prescription as well as resuscitation of popular monthly mini market.

Also speaking, Director Women Affairs, Mrs Sidikat Olaitan Alao said the interactive session was in recognition of the multi-dimensional roles of women in the society and to reflect on the progress made with a view to addressing challenges ahead.

Responding, the wife of Kaiama Local Government chairman and Secretary of the group, Hajia Aminat Yahaya pledged the support of council chairmen to assist the ministry in realizing the set goals.

Members of the group and heads of women development units in the councils who spoke at the event, lauded the initiative of the commissioner and assured their readiness to work as a team with the ministry.