By Mick Oseji. Asaba
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering women, safeguarding the girl-child and expanding access to education, healthcare and skills acquisition as part of efforts to promote inclusive development across the state.
The governor gave the assurance in a message to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child on Sunday, pledging to sustain policies and programmes that protect the rights of girls, enhance women’s economic independence and create opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to society.
Okpebholo stressed that investing in the girl-child was a critical component of his administration’s development agenda, noting that every girl deserved access to quality education, adequate healthcare, a safe environment and opportunities to realise her full potential.
“My administration is committed to empowering women and protecting the girl-child, and I pledge to expand opportunities in education, healthcare and skills acquisition across the state,” he said.
The governor maintained that the welfare and development of girls must be treated as a priority rather than an issue reserved for ceremonial observances.
“A girl who is in school, healthy and safe today will lead a family, a business or an institution tomorrow. That is why we treat the girl-child as a development issue, not a ceremonial one,” he said.
He explained that his administration was determined to equip more women with relevant skills and provide them with opportunities to participate in diverse sectors of the economy, including occupations traditionally dominated by men.
As part of the initiative, 50 women recently graduated from a training programme in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle conversion, which Okpebholo described as the first initiative specifically designed to train female mechanics.
According to the governor, the programme reflects his administration’s determination to dismantle barriers that limit women’s participation in technical and vocational fields while promoting self-reliance and economic empowerment.
He added that the government would continue to explore non-traditional career opportunities for women, including commercial tricycle operations, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, alongside other empowerment programmes scheduled for introduction on a quarterly basis.
On efforts to protect the girl-child and improve the welfare of women, Okpebholo highlighted initiatives being implemented through the Office of the First Lady, including the Pad a Girl programme and the SHINE Agenda.
He also pointed to the state’s Violence Against Persons laws as part of the broader framework for protecting vulnerable persons and addressing abuse.
The governor further emphasised the importance of maternal healthcare, assuring residents that his administration would continue to pursue measures aimed at reducing the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
“No woman should have to risk her life to bring a child into the world,” he said. “Our work in maternal health is meant to make safe delivery the norm in every community, not the exception.”
He noted that the state government had engaged skilled birth attendants in primary healthcare centres across Edo State to improve maternal care and support safer deliveries.
According to him, the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme has also supported more than 674 childbirths, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve access to essential healthcare services for expectant mothers.
In another development, the Edo Specialist Hospital received full accreditation for obstetrics and gynaecology residency training in July 2026, while the state launched Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week in June as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery for women, newborns and children.
Despite the progress recorded, Okpebholo acknowledged that more work was required to ensure that girls remain in school, enjoy a safe upbringing and are protected from abuse and other forms of exploitation.
He called on parents, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to support government initiatives by promoting the welfare of girls and helping to create safer communities.
“There is still a lot to do,” he said. “I urge parents, traditional rulers and community leaders to work with us, because no government can protect the girl-child alone.”
The governor wished women and girls across Edo State a happy International Day of the Girl Child, reaffirming his administration’s determination to uphold their dignity, protect their rights and expand access to opportunities that would enable them to thrive.
