From Despair to Hope: Returnee Commends Edo Women Affairs Ministry for Lifesaving Support

By Rosemary Okoduwa

A returnee from Côte d’Ivoire, Miss Elizabeth Pius, has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for its timely intervention, which ensured the safe delivery of her baby through a successful Caesarean Section.

Elizabeth, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, visited the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, accompanied by her newborn, to personally thank the Ministry for its support during one of the most challenging periods of her life.

Recounting her experience, Elizabeth said she had travelled to Côte d’Ivoire in search of better opportunities but was sent back to Lagos by her employer after it was discovered that she was pregnant. Stranded, homeless and without any means of survival, she was assisted by kind-hearted Nigerians who helped her to Benin City.

Upon arriving in Benin, she sought help from the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, where her case received immediate attention.
The Ministry provided shelter, care and support throughout her pregnancy and facilitated the medical intervention that led to the successful delivery of her baby through a Caesarean Section.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Elizabeth described the Ministry’s intervention as life-saving.
“I came back to say thank you. When I had nowhere to go and no one to turn to, the Ministry welcomed me and stood by me throughout my pregnancy. Because of their support, my baby and I are alive today. I will always be grateful to Hon. Eugenia Abdallah and the entire Ministry,” she said.

Responding, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, thanked Elizabeth for returning to express her appreciation and reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, to protecting and supporting vulnerable persons across the state.

She said the Ministry remains committed to providing care, protection, rehabilitation and hope to women, children and other vulnerable members of society, emphasizing that every individual deserves dignity, compassion and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.