UN 2025 International Rural Women’s Day: Environment Ambassador empowers Ondo women in clean energy

DAMISI OJO,Akure

A three-day Summit and Workshop marking the 2025 United Nations International Rural Women’s Day in Owo local government area of Ondo State has been concluded with women’s empowerment in renewable energy.

The programme championed by the Goodwill Ambassador for Environment, Ms. Olayemi Olapeju, was supported by Owo Local Government and declared open at the Local Government Secretariat by the Council Chairman, Hon.Tope Omolayo.

Declaring the Workshop open, Hon Omolayo said the United Nations’ International Day of Rural Women is to honour the roles of rural women and recognize rural women’s importance in enhancing agricultural and rural development.

Omolayo said “I am truly delighted to be a part of this event, and to discuss the significant role of the clean energy transition and making it accessible to rural women.”

“Without a doubt, we are at a critical time with respect to the world’s climate future. Our actions to distribute these free solar energy and our actions over the next few decades will determine the fate of future generations and the planet

“This year, in Owo Local Government, we have witnessed extreme weather events, floods, storms and unprecedented heat from sun”.

He further stated that the critical roles and contributions of community women in enhancing rural development and improving food security can not be over emphazised.

According to him, “the rural woman exemplifies resilience and strength.

They are involved in food production activities, and they are also homemakers. Much of the labour contributions of women remain invisible and unpaid for, and so we must continually celebrate our rural women”.

Ms Olayemi Olapeju, Ondo State Goodwill Ambassador for Environment, at the occasion said the International Day of Rural Women is to celebrate community women and promote developmental activities of women living in rural area like educational training and clean energy empowerment.

She said despite the immense value that rural women bring to both their immediate community and the nation, they often go unrecognized and under valued Yet, women are innovative, using indigenous knowledge and practices to adapt to environmental challenges.

The Ambassador noted that various challenges that rural women face are exacerbated by lack of infrastructures, which includes access to clean energy.

While distributing solar lights to the community women, she thanked the youths tech team, Ologan Charles Olanrewaju, Thomas God’s Time, Babatunde Adetayo, Sule Moshood Abey and Ebere Chioma Joy who fabricated some solar for distributing to the women.

“I want to especially recognise our role model women, Barrister Bello Fatima Binta, Barrister Ezeh MMesoma Lilian and Ms Bello Aisha Ewain for their global advocacy to improve the living conditions of our rural women and for donating solars lights and clothing materials for these community women.

“I also urge our community women to spread the awareness that solar energy plays a crucial role in limiting Climate Change as you return to your various communities.

“Your efforts to spread awareness also count to end our people’s reliance on fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy”

“By working together with you, it will strengthen our chances to cut down on carbon pollution and reduce Climate Change”.Ms Olapeju stressed

Mrs Alonge Owani, a farmer from the Uwese community, hailed the programme organizers, the tech team and women who donated the solars and clothing materials.

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