Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said the governor gave the charge at the weekend in Benin City, the state capital, while ratifying the theme for the 2018 edition of the summit.
The state governor has a Special Adviser on Gender Issues and 18 Special Assistants on Gender Issues, all charged with gender mainstreaming functions in the 18 local government areas of the state.
“Governor Obaseki is passionate about women’s issues and he is committed to improving their socio-economic conditions.
“He has maintained at different fora, that any society that denies itself the full participation and contribution of women, does so at its peril and under-utilises its human resources,” Osagie said.
The governor’s spokesman further said: “Everyone who has been following the developmental strides of Governor Obaseki closely, can attest to the high premium he places on policies and programmes that affect women and girls.
“His appointment of 19 female aides on gender issues, his hard and tough stance against child abuse and molestation, a crime for which some paedophiles have been sent to jail by the appropriate court and the ongoing empowerment programmes for women and girls in the state validate the governor’s commitment to the welfare of women and the girl child.”
He explained that the theme: “Edo of Our Dreams – Investing in People,” has been approved by the governor for the 2018 edition of the summit.
He added: “Again, the theme speaks to the centrality of Edo people in the governance framework of the Obaseki-led administration.
“We are looking forward to a people-focused Alaghodaro Summit that will measure and analyse the impact of the various policies, laws and programmes enunciated by the Edo State Government on Edo people and residents.”
He described the theme as apt, and urged trade and professional groups, farmers, market women, artisans and all the players in the formal and informal business and other sectors to attend the event that will address their issues.
The 2018 Alaghodaro Summit will hold in Benin City from November 9-12.
