The administration of Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has intensified its drive to economically empower women as the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU) takes its intervention to communities across Okpokwu Local Government Area. The community entry exercise, designed to mobilise women and other stakeholders ahead of the programme’s implementation, has received strong support from traditional institutions, the local government council and residents.
Speaking at Okpoga Central, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Ikwue, said Governor Alia’s administration remained committed to creating opportunities that would enable women to become economically independent and contribute more effectively to the development of their families and communities. She noted that the Governor’s prompt release of counterpart funding for the NFWP-SU demonstrated the seriousness attached to women’s empowerment by the state government. Ikwue urged women across Okpokwu to take advantage of the programme by actively participating in the formation of Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), while calling on men, traditional rulers and community leaders to support the initiative.
According to the Commissioner, the NFWP-SU is being piloted in three local government areas of Benue—Vandeikya, Gwer East and Okpokwu—with Vandeikya already recording encouraging progress through the formation of over 400 Women Affinity Groups and the commencement of savings. The NFWP-SU, an initiative of the Federal Government implemented in collaboration with the Federal and State Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, seeks to strengthen women’s livelihoods, expand economic opportunities and promote resilient communities.
The State Project Coordinator of NFWP-SU, Mr William Fele Agber, said community participation and ownership were critical to the success of the programme. He explained that Women Affinity Groups would serve as the foundation for the programme’s empowerment activities, providing women with opportunities for collective savings, access to financial services, training, knowledge-sharing and livelihood development. Agber therefore appealed to residents to embrace the intervention and support the formation and effective operation of WAGs in their communities.
In his remarks, the Adah of Okpokwu, His Royal Highness James Ejembi Okefe, welcomed the NFWP-SU team and expressed appreciation for the decision to include Okpokwu among the pilot local government areas. The traditional ruler pledged the support of the traditional council, noting that empowering women remained essential to improving household welfare and accelerating community development. Also speaking, the Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Council, Hon. Adah Mathew Inalegwu, described the intervention as a timely opportunity to improve the economic wellbeing and resilience of women in the area.
The community entry exercise has so far covered Okpoga Central, Okpoga North, Ichama Wards I and II, Ingle/Okpale, Ojigo, Okpoga West and Okpoga South, with four council wards remaining. The ongoing mobilisation has reinforced the administration’s message that empowering women is not merely a social intervention but a strategic investment in stronger households, vibrant communities and the economic future of Benue State.
