Ben-Sor lists scholarships, business grants and equipment donations as thousands of women attend birthday town hall

Dr Betta Edu has marked her 40th birthday with humanitarian activities involving internally displaced persons in Benue State, alongside a town hall meeting attended by thousands of women and senior government representatives.

The event featured discussions on women’s empowerment, grassroots engagement and the 2027 general elections, as well as recognition of interventions said to have benefited vulnerable residents across the state.

Edu, Co-Director of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Women Mobilisation Directorate, was welcomed at the airport by Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady Designate in Benue State, and a large gathering of women supporters.

The reception featured dancing and singing as the delegation proceeded to the event venue after a courtesy visit to the Government House.

Officials, Women Leaders Attend Town Hall

Among those present were Deputy Governor Sam Ode, representing Governor Hyacinth Alia; Secretary to the State Government Deborah Aber; Commissioner for Special Duties Hon. Elizabeth Ogenyi; the Commissioner for Women Affairs; other female commissioners; female vice chairpersons; wives of local government chairmen; and women holding government appointments.

The meeting focused on the role of women in community development and political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ben-Sor Highlights Support for Vulnerable Residents

Speaking at the event, Ben-Sor commended Edu for what she described as her commitment to the welfare of Benue residents, particularly displaced people and other vulnerable groups.

She listed 40 business start-up grants, 40 academic scholarships, 40 mobile hair-washing start-up kits, 40 sewing machines, 40 deep freezers and 40 grinding machines among the interventions attributed to Edu.

She also mentioned vocational training programmes and a medical outreach reportedly reaching more than 10,000 elderly and vulnerable people.

Ben-Sor identified Ichwa IDP Camp in Makurdi as one of the locations where the interventions had made an impact.

The initiatives, as presented at the meeting, covered education, small-business support, vocational skills and access to medical services.

Deputy Governor Commends Birthday Outreach

Representing Governor Alia, Deputy Governor Ode praised Edu for choosing to spend her birthday with displaced persons.

He described her as a dependable supporter of the people of Benue and expressed appreciation for her humanitarian activities.

Ode also pledged the state’s political support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying Benue would deliver more than one million votes.

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Edu Calls for Increased Women’s Participation

Edu thanked Benue women for their reception and urged them to strengthen engagement at the ward and polling-unit levels.

She said women had an important role to play in political mobilisation and called on APC supporters to campaign for the party’s candidates.

She also cited federal initiatives such as NELFUND, road projects and the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, alongside development projects of the Benue State Government, as reasons supporters could point to when discussing government performance.

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The event ended with Edu making a donation to support women’s mobilisation activities, cutting her birthday cake and being dressed in traditional Benue attire.

The celebration brought humanitarian outreach, empowerment initiatives and political engagement together in a programme attended by women leaders and government representatives from across Benue State.