By Kingsley Ezekwelu
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has assured civil servants in the state of a salary increase across board next year.
Governor Obiano disclosed this during the 2017 Mother’s Summit held at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka.
The summit, with the theme, “Occupation and Motherhood: Getting our priorities right for a peaceful home and society,” was attended by representatives of different women groups from the 179 communities of the state, religious and socio-cultural institutions in the state, among others.
The governor also announced that his administration had commenced planning of the budget for the 2018 fiscal year, and that the implementation of the increase would begin immediately the budget is passed early next year.
He further disclosed that the sum of N2billion interest-free loan had been earmarked for disbursement strictly to women groups in the agricultural and business areas in the 2018 budget, adding that the Anambra State’s Small Business Agency (ASBA) had been directed to reduce the hitherto stringent conditions for accessing the fund to simple identification by religious and traditional leaders of prospective applicants for the loan.
This, he noted, was part of his administration’s efforts to assist women to participate effectively in the socio-economic development of the state and support their families by empowering them financially.
Felicitating with the mothers for a successful summit, Governor Obiano appealed to them to continue to support his second term bid in order to ensure that the revolutionary visions of his administration would be fully realised.
Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Barr. Rita Maduagwu, acknowledged that the theme was apt in view of the efforts of the Obiano administration to give voice to women in the state.
She commended the wife of the governor, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano for uplifting the living standards of women through her Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE) programme.
In her own submission, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Kate Omenugha, highlighted what she tagged the soft aspects of governance that Gov. Obiano had distinguished himself in that included empowerment of physically challenged persons, providing succour to orphans and disadvantaged persons and described him, as a leader with a human face.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman, Willie Obiano Re-election Campaign Committee, Chief Victor Umeh, pointed out that this year’s edition of the summit was strategic, as it provided avenue to remind the women of the need to support the consolidation of good governance in state, as according to him, by all parameters, Governor Obiano has in three years performed more than his predecessors in their first four years.
Also speaking, the woman Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide moved the motion for the endorsement of Governor Obiano for re-election, which was unanimously supported and ratified by all the members of the various groups present at the summit.
The governor also used the occasion to present 24 sets of oil, garri and rice processing machines to women cooperatives across the state.