By Michael Olalekan
The Governor of Chukwuma Soludo has congratulated women in Anambra State and across Nigeria on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, describing them as critical drivers of development and social progress.
In a goodwill message issued by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the governor said the theme for this year’s celebration, “Give to Gain,” which marks the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day, calls for a shift from charity and dependency to strategic investment in women for collective prosperity.
Soludo noted that providing women with equal opportunities, access to finance and active participation in decision-making processes creates a multiplier effect that benefits families, communities and the wider society.
He highlighted several programmes introduced by his administration, including the “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative, financial inclusion schemes, support for micro, small and medium enterprises, free quality education for the girl-child and increased political inclusion of women in key government positions.
According to him, the Anambra State government has moved beyond rhetoric by ensuring women are not merely beneficiaries of development but active drivers of it.
“In Anambra, a woman’s gain is the family’s gain, the community’s gain and ultimately the state’s gain,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Motunrayo Adeleye, reaffirmed the commitment of the Ogun State government to investing in women as a pathway to sustainable development.
Adeleye said the 2026 International Women’s Day theme underscores the importance of empowering women through access to education, financial resources and mentorship programmes. She stressed that when women succeed, families, communities and economies become stronger.
She cited initiatives such as the Oko’owo Dapo social empowerment scheme and the Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up Programme, which is currently being implemented in Ifo, Ado-Odo/Ota, Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode local government areas.
“Supporting women should not be viewed as charity but as a deliberate investment with measurable benefits for society,” Adeleye said.
She added that the programmes have improved financial inclusion, enterprise support and capacity development for women across the state, while more initiatives are being planned to consolidate the gains recorded since the inception of the current administration.
Adeleye also urged women across Ogun State to remain resilient, innovative and supportive of one another, reiterating the government’s commitment to policies and programmes that promote gender equality and safeguard women’s rights.
