Edo Govt, CWO Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Women, Family Welfare

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Archdiocese of Benin, on women’s empowerment, skills acquisition, child welfare, and family development.

The commitment was made when the newly inaugurated CWO Archdiocesan Executive paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry to congratulate the Commissioner, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, on her appointment.

Leading the delegation, CWO Archdiocesan President, Mrs. Margaret Osayande, said the organisation represents over 5,000 Catholic women across the Archdiocese, with a focus on spiritual growth, family stability, economic empowerment, and community development.

Presenting the CWO’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, Osayande outlined plans to train 1,000 women in vocational skills, including fashion design, catering, and soap making, as well as to establish an interest-free revolving micro-credit scheme for 500 women engaged in petty trading and small-scale enterprises.

She also highlighted plans to acquire a CWO bus to enhance outreach activities and to complete the CWO Multipurpose Hall, which will serve as a centre for skills acquisition, training, and empowerment programmes.

Osayande reaffirmed the organisation’s readiness to partner with the state government on women’s empowerment, child welfare, and family development, while appealing for government support for its forthcoming Archdiocesan Seminar scheduled for October.

Responding, Hon. Abdallah welcomed the CWO leadership and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to partnering with faith-based and community organisations to improve the welfare of women, children, and families.

Abdallah, a Catholic and former local CWO leader, assured the delegation of the Ministry’s open-door policy, adding that CWO nominees would be considered for inclusion in future government empowerment programmes, particularly those targeting vulnerable and enterprising women.

She also commended mothers for their role in building responsible families and urged the CWO to sustain its efforts in moral formation, family values, and the protection of the girl child.

Also speaking, Provost Deanery and President of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Ugbor, Lady Josephine Eju, commended the Commissioner’s commitment to partnership and assured the Ministry of the CWO’s support for government programmes benefiting women, children, and families.

The visit concluded with the presentation of goodwill gifts to Commissioner Abdallah, underscoring the CWO’s commitment to a strengthened partnership with the Ministry.