The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has charged wives of Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen to intensify grassroots mobilisation and support for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mrs Anani gave the charge when the wives of LGA chairmen paid her a courtesy visit at Government House, Benin City, where she outlined their responsibilities in community engagement, social development and the implementation of government programmes.
She urged the women to strengthen door-to-door mobilisation, encourage voter participation and work towards securing victory for APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The Edo First Lady’s Office Coordinator also emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in the distribution of sanitary pads provided under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), insisting that the items must reach their intended beneficiaries, particularly schoolgirls.
Commending those who had distributed the sanitary pads to schools in their respective local government areas, Mrs Anani urged others to ensure that no eligible girl was left out of the intervention.
“Wherever the girls are, look for them and give them the pads. Ensure that the pads get to the intended beneficiaries,” she said.
She encouraged the wives of LGA chairmen to see their positions as opportunities to complement their husbands’ responsibilities and serve as a vital link between government and the people, particularly women and vulnerable groups at the grassroots.
Mrs Anani further advised them to maintain close working relationships with their respective LGA women leaders and familiarise themselves with relevant constitutional provisions to better understand their roles and responsibilities.
According to her, effective grassroots leadership requires integrity, empathy, accessibility, good character and optimism, stressing that the women must demonstrate these qualities while working to create meaningful and sustainable impact in their communities.
She also warned against the mismanagement of public funds, calling for transparency, accountability and responsible leadership in the discharge of public responsibilities.
On official engagements, the Edo First Lady’s Office Coordinator advised the women to dress appropriately for different occasions, noting that their appearance should reflect the nature and demands of the events they attend.
Calls for Inclusive Community Development
Mrs Anani also urged the delegation to replicate international commemorative activities at the local government level to raise awareness, promote inclusion and improve access to empowerment programmes.
She specifically highlighted the International Day of the Girl Child, International Day of the Boy Child, Menstrual Hygiene Day, Widows’ Day, International Day of Older Persons and International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Emphasising the importance of balanced child development, she called for greater attention to the welfare and development of both boys and girls, noting that the needs of the boy child must also be prioritised to promote healthy development and prevent avoidable social challenges.
The Coordinator expressed appreciation to the delegation for their condolence visit following the death of her mother, late Mrs Charity Okpebholo.
LGA Chairmen’s Wives Seek Greater Institutional Support
Earlier, the delegation, led by Mrs Helen Ekpeson, wife of the Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, thanked Mrs Anani for receiving them and conveyed their condolences over the loss of her mother.
Mrs Ekpeson prayed for God’s comfort and strength for the family as they mourned their loss.
She explained that the visit was intended to formally introduce the wives of LGA chairmen to the Edo First Lady’s Office Coordinator, strengthen working relationships and seek greater institutional support for their activities.
The delegation’s leader appealed for dedicated funding to enable the wives of LGA chairmen to participate effectively in the observance of international commemorative days across the state.
According to her, such support would enhance their capacity to engage women and vulnerable groups at the grassroots, promote inclusive development and ensure that government programmes and social interventions reach communities across Edo State’s 18 local government areas.
