From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State government has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment and inclusive growth with the commencement of a three-day orientation training for staff of Nigeria for Women Program-Scale Up, NFWP-SU, Project.
It described the initiative as critical to strengthening households and building resilient communities across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman, Multi-sectoral Coordination Structure, Sunny Ekedayen said the programme aligns with the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, which prioritises people-centred policies that deliver measurable outcomes at the family level.
According to him, economic growth must translate into improved household income, food security, access to education and enhanced dignity and decision-making capacity for women.
“This is why the Nigeria for Women Program-Scale Up Project is timely and strategic. When properly implemented, it will not only empower women economically, but also strengthen family systems and promote resilient communities across Delta State,” Ekedayen said.
He noted that states such as Ogun, which participated in the pilot phase of the programme, recorded significant success through commitment, coordination and effective execution, adding that Delta State has the human capacity, institutional experience and financial resources to meet and exceed its target.
The commissioner, however, stressed that the success of the project would depend largely on quality implementation, professionalism and effective synergy among all units working under the Project Coordination Unit.
“No unit can work in isolation. Clear communication, adherence to established protocols and shared ownership of outcomes are critical to achieving results,” he said, urging participants to take full advantage of the orientation sessions.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development and Co-chair, Multi-sectoral Coordination Structure, Pat Ajudua described NFWP-SU as a practical extension of the ministry’s mandate to protect, empower and improve the social and economic wellbeing of women and vulnerable groups across Delta State.
She said the project’s focus on Women Affinity Groups, savings culture, skills development, leadership and social cohesion directly addresses the barriers limiting women’s economic participation and social inclusion.
“When women are empowered economically, families become more stable, children are better cared for and communities become more resilient. Women-focused interventions are not social gestures; they are strategic investments in development,” she said, while calling for cooperation, synergy and shared responsibility among all staff and stakeholders.
Giving an overview of the project, the Acting State Project Coordinator, Mrs Abigail Okonkwo, described NFWP-SU as “a World Bank–supported programme of the federal and state governments aimed at empowering women through access to social capital, improved livelihoods and greater participation in economic decision-making.”
She explained that the project is built on three pillars—community institution building, livelihood support interventions and strong project management, monitoring and evaluation—designed to “create an enabling environment for women to overcome economic barriers, market failures and financial exclusion.”
Explaining the operational framework, Mrs Okonkwo said the project institutionalised Women Affinity Groups, WAGs, made up of “clusters of 15 to 25 women engaged in similar livelihood activities such as cassava or gari processing, popularly known in communities as cooperative or ‘osusu’ groups.
“The WAGs are not just for savings, they are platforms that link women to microfinance banks, commercial banks, insurance services, grants and private sector opportunities that can help their businesses grow.”
According to her, the five-year programme is coordinated nationally by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and implemented in Delta State through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, with grassroots delivery driven by Local Government Project Implementation Units.
She disclosed that the project would commence in three pilot local government areas—Ethiope East, Ika North East and Warri North—starting with Ethiope East before scaling up to the others based on lessons learnt.
The orientation programme brought together, key stakeholders and project staff to strengthen capacity, coordination and readiness for effective implementation of the Nigeria for Women Program–Scale Up Project in the state.
