Edo First Lady’s Office: Championing Women, Girl-Child, Community Development

By Okhueleigbe Godsblessing

The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs Edesili Anani, has reaffirmed her commitment to advancing the interests of women, girls, and the broader Edo community through dynamic and collaborative programmes.

In an exclusive interview with _Obaland TV_, Mrs Anani outlined her role, achievements, and vision, stressing that the Office of the First Lady is not merely a symbolic entity, but an active platform dedicated to impactful service.

Speaking on the nature of her work, Mrs Anani explained that although the office primarily prioritises women and the girl-child, its influence extends to men and families at large. “What you give to woman reaches everybody,” she noted, highlighting the ripple effect of empowering women across society. She described her leadership approach as ‘teamwork-driven coordination’, aligning closely with the agenda of the governor and strengthening grassroots women, women in investigative roles, and women active in politics.

Mrs Anani further spoke about her collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. She praised Senator Tinubu’s steadfast commitment to programmes benefiting women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and society at large, noting an upcoming event scheduled for Saturday as further evidence of that dedication. According to her, these efforts mirror the ethos in Edo State, where women-centred initiatives are prioritised.

Addressing her leadership style, Mrs Anani stated that she fosters peace and cooperation among women, resolving disagreements with maturity and ensuring that communication remains open and positive. “Thanks to God and the support system around me, we have been able to navigate challenges, the major one being inadequate funding. However, partnerships and goodwill from individuals and organisations have helped propel our initiatives forward,” she said.

Beyond the administrative side, Mrs Anani described the role as personally fulfilling. She views the Office of the First Lady as a vehicle for extending hope, love, and tangible assistance to women across the state. She also commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for being a ‘champion of women’s causes’, assuring Edo women that many future programmes, particularly in mentorship and empowerment, are already in the pipeline.

Among the key initiatives she highlighted are mentorship programmes for the girl-child, the expansion of skill acquisition schemes, and the establishment of a Pad Bank to provide sanitary materials and mentoring support to young girls. Mrs Anani emphasised that partnerships with media houses have been instrumental in disseminating vital information and raising awareness about these initiatives.

Speaking further on health, Mrs Anani stressed the importance of prioritising women’s well-being, observing that women often overwork and overstress themselves. In response, the Office of the First Lady, in collaboration with Edo Specialist Hospital, has organised free cancer screenings and medical check-ups, providing crucial early diagnosis and ongoing healthcare support to women across the state.

She concluded by extending warm greetings to the people of Edo State, calling for continued support for government initiatives aimed at uplifting women. Mrs Anani also touched on the ongoing efforts in agriculture to further empower communities and expressed gratitude to _Obaland TV_ for offering a platform to communicate these important developments.