Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

Nigerian women have become bolder and more powerful, and can now challenge for every available post in the land, according to Mrs. Rashida Bello, wife of Kogi governor.

Bello, who spoke on Wednesday in Lokoja, at a ceremony to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, said that the women have made their marks in all human endeavours and could no longer be ignored.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for this year’s women’s day is “Be Bold For Change”.

Bello commended women for rising to the pinnacle of their various careers, including male-dominated callings, and enjoined them to be instruments of the change the world was yearning for.

She particularly noted that this year’s celebration was focused on women empowerment and gender equality, and urged women in privileged positions to assist those no so lucky.

The governor’s wife lauded her husband’s special attention to women via policies aimed at empowering them, and advised the womenfolk to take advantage of such policies to improve their living standards.

Bello urged women to identify with widows of fallen heroes, and reassured such women that the Bello-led administration would support them and their their children.

NAN reports that the governor’s wife, at the ceremony, empowered 420 women with undisclosed cash donations, to enhance their petty businesses.

Earlier, Mrs. Bolanle Amupitan, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, had implored women to be their sisters’ keepers by helping and supporting each other.

A beneficiary of Mrs. Bello’s donations, Mrs. Rabiu Abdulaziz, thanked her for the open show of kindness, and prayed for more blessings to her.

Mrs. Easter John, another beneficiary, promised to use the money to boost her yam flour business so as to cater for her family

. (NAN).