The Ekiti Government has declared March 8 as work free day to celebrate the 2017 International Women’s Day in the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, told journalists in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday that Gov. Ayo Fayose gave the approval to allow full participation of women in the event.
According to him, the holiday will also afford men wishing to identify with the womenfolk the opportunity to do so without hindrance.
He said that the state government would sponsor the event, to enable women to showcase their potential and have a sense of belonging in the society.
Adelusi further explained that the governor would use the occasion to roll out action plans and largesse for all adult women in the state, irrespective of their political beliefs.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Publicity Sub-Committee of the event, Mrs Oluwayomi Osuntokun, said the event was being organised to re-discover women’s talents.
Osuntokun said that the discovery of areas of talent would enable the government to know how to intervene and make a difference in their lives.
Commenting on the event, a former lawmaker and member of the organising committee, said that Fayose conceptualised the idea of celebrating women to drive home the fact that their usefulness was not limited to the kitchen.
Similarly, a former Chairman of Ado Local Government, Mrs Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko, said that besides subsidising the Ankara uniform which the women would wear, the governor also planned to roll out a financial empowerment scheme for them.
According to Ajisafe-Aluko, no fewer than 46,000 women comprising traders, artisans, food sellers, beer sellers, teachers, civil servants, among others, are expected at the celebration holding at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
NAN learnt that the women had paid a subsidized price of N500 each to purchase a specially branded Ankara material costing N3,500 in the open market.
A NAN correspondent who visited the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, reports that it is now wearing a new look for the event.(NAN)
ARIS/MNA/NKO