The First Lady of Ondo State, Chief(Mrs.) Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has been described as defender of parity.
This was contained in the congratulatory message of Barrister Gbenga Edema, the representative of Ondo State on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the wife Ondo State governor, Mrs. Anyanwu-Akeredolu on her 70th birthday celebration.
He said Mrs. Anyanwu-Akeredolu has relentlessly fought for women in Ondo State for them to occupy their rightful positions in public offices.
According to the former Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), the increase in the appointment of women into political offices in the state was an outcome of the fight by the First Lady to ensure women are given equal treatment like their male counterparts.
He said giving girl-child a meaningful life was part of her agitation which made her found different nongovernmental organizations.
In a statement personally signed by Edema and made available to newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital, he said: “It’s a good news for us the people of Ondo State that our First Lady, the Ada Owere 1, turns 70 years today.
“Her impact in our state cannot be overemphasized. She encouraged our women to go into politics and vie for more elective positions.
“Today, we have more women as local government chairpersons and this is the result of her efforts.
“The Ada Owere 1 has been championing the cause of girl-child, re-orientating parents and the girls about shaping their future.
“She has redirected the psyche of the girls who participated in BEMORE summer bootcamp, making them to see possibility in all they aspire to achieve in life.
“At BEMORE summer bootcamp, our girls were exposed to vista of great opportunities even in fields regarded as exclusive preserve of male child.
“Through BRECAN, she rescued many people infected by cancer through enlightenment on how to treat the ailment and how to detect the symptoms early.
“She paid for treatment of many cancer patients besides distributing delivery kits to indigent pregnant women across all the 18 local governments of the state at different times.
“I pray God elongate her life to do more for humanity.
“Congratulations the Arabinrin of Ondo State.”
