21ST NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING ON WOMEN AFFAIRS: AKSG EXPANDING THE FRONTIERS OF ADVOCACY THROUGH INI ADIAKPAN'S OUTSTANDING STEWARDSHIP.

By Edet Okpo& Nature Substance

“In view of the current economic realities occasioned by the Covid’19 Pandemic on all sectors of our society, I hereby call on the Council to consider the establishment of special intervention packages and inclusion of rural women in the yearly budgetary provision of employment at various levels.”

The above words formed part of advocacy by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, on the occasion of the 21st Regular National Council Meeting on Women Affairs, held at Ibom Hall, Uyo, on Thursday, August 26 , 2021.  

The National Council on Women Affairs Meeting, which is held annually and rotated amongst States of the federation, is arguably the largest platform where Nigerian women and stakeholders assemble to brainstorm on critical issues affecting the womenfolk. With the theme - Gender Equality: A Panacea for Enduring Security and Sustainable Economic Recovery in the Post Covid -19 Era, Akwa Ibom was again chosen to host this year’s event, approximately 11 years after last hosting  in 2011.   

Spearheaded by the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline K. Tallen, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Dr. Ini Adiakpan as Host Commissioner, the meeting had in attendance Women Affairs’ Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and other invited critical players from the 36 States of the federation, including the FCT. 

Some on the Akwa Ibom delegation included the Governor of the State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, represented by Secretary to the Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem; Wife of  the Governor, Dr (Mrs) Martha Emmanuel, and represented by Dr. Ini Adiakpan; Deputy Governor of the State, represented by a Permanent Secretary, Mr. Nkopuruk Ekaiko.

Others were Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, represented by Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon. Charity Ido; Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet; and that of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong, among others.  

According to Dame Pauline Tallen, the Akwa Ibom edition, which she adjudged as perhaps the best in recent memory, made history as it turned out to be the first time that four serving male Federal Minsters would be physically present. 

They include Hon. Minister of Interior, His Excellency, Ralph Aregbesola; Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare; Minister of State, Education and his counterpart in Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hon, Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba and Prince Clement Agba, respectively. 

Delivering her welcome address, Dr. Ini Adiakpan observed that the Regular National Council Meeting on Women Affairs was designed as a platform to probe “issues affecting the development and welfare of the girl child, the vulnerable and other disadvantaged members of the society, adoption of the policy of inclusiveness for women at all levels, as well as institution of the Social Welfare Fund, aimed at improving the living conditions of women, children and other vulnerable persons”.   

What took place yesterday therefore was part of closing formalities and culmination of activities for the 4-day programme of events that saw delegates arrive in the State on Sunday, 22nd August 2021, to embark on series of lectures, deliberations, panel discussions, and presentation of reports by Committees and Commissioners from various States.

Reflecting specifically on the Akwa Ibom situation, Dr. Adiakpan extolled the genuine-heartedness and gender-inclusive template of the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, in according women competitive recognition in the political space as well as appointment into strategic positions. 

She also beamed light on the life-transforming exploits recorded by Wife of  the Governor, Dr. Martha Emmanuel, through the instrumentality of her pet project, Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP).      

To consolidate on the evidential gains and push further the borders of inclusiveness  especially for middle-class women and those in the informal domain, Dr. Adiakpan hinted that the State Government has expressed conscious interest to participate in the ongoing World Bank Assisted Nigeria for Women Project (NWP). This initiative aims at provision of productive assets and skills in addition to providing project investment support and business advisory services to women in Nigeria.

Pleading with the Minister, the Women’s Council and the World Bank to facilitate or fast-track Akwa Ibom’s admission into the global scheme, Dr. Adiakpan disclosed that the State Government, as proof of readiness, has already made provision for office space for the programme. 

She maintained that such advanced preparation drew inspiration from the fact that the State won the Best Managed Donor Portfolio in South/South during the World Bank-organized award ceremony in 2019. 

   

There is no telling that the epicentre of idealization, development of modalities and actionable plans is the Ministry of Women Affairs, with Dr. Adiakpan playing the catalytic role of a relentless field marshal and interpreter-in-chief of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s women-oriented policies. 

Exponentially, Dr. Adiakpan, cerebral, innovative and pragmatic, stands out in many ways in this emancipatory advocacy. Her Ministry inexorably champions the cause of remediation for the multidimensional needs of women and the girl-child.

For instance, during the International Widows Day on June 23, 2021, Dr. Adiakpan commissioned gender-integrationist projects and assembled more than 400 widows from the 31 local government area of the State for seminars and pep-talks on practical ways to manage widowhood, handled by resource persons. At the end, wrappers and accessories were provided for the widows. 

Dr. Adiakpan’s thesis and prognosis at the just concluded 21st National Council Meeting on Women Affairs therefore can be best extrapolated and appreciated in this context. She implored the Council to intensify action on “the evacuation, treatment and re-integration of mentally ill persons and street children, co-ordination of activities of the Nigerian Legion, training of rural women on digitization, and inclusion of rural women in the yearly budgetary provision of empowerment at various levels”.  

She equally drew attention to the "plight of albinos, people with cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries, the over 800 orphans in special homes, provision of ramps and interpreters at public functions, routine seminars and for stakeholders to collaborate in tackling the growing menace of forced labour, trafficking in persons, commercial prostitution amongst teenagers and women”.

The Minister of Women Affairs,  former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and two-time Minster, Dame Pauline Tallen, who described Akwa Ibom as a haven of peace and worthy example of women inclusion in nation-building, in her address, detailed successes recorded by her ministry and stated that it was necessary State Governments who are yet to domesticate the Child Rights Acts, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2015) and related laws hurried to do so. She said the political space should be made wider for women involvement. 

The Minister expressed deep gratitude to Akwa Ibom State Government for the hosting and hospitality given to the participants of the event and  specially commended  the  Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs  and Social  Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan on her efforts in ensuring  the best hosting of the Event.

In separate goodwill messages, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the cause of women and girl-child emancipation. They include the Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the four male ministers; representatives from the World Bank, IMF, Central Bank of Nigeria, United Nations, Military and Para-military institutions, professional bodies, NGOs, Nigerian Youth Parliament, etc.   

Specifically commending and thanking the Minister of Women Affairs for a successful outing and the choice of Akwa Ibom for the exercise, Governor Emmanuel  who spoke through Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the State Government, noted that his administration has given Akwa Ibom Women reasonable quota in governance through election and appointment into various political offices and pledged to do more, but challenged the women to dare by stepping forward and getting involved, as his administration is ever conscious and sympathetic to women’s cause.   

The event which also featured presentation of awards to outstanding champions of women emancipation had the audience treated to the rich culture of Akwa Ibom State, including dance and cuisine. 

Indeed, for her ability and outstanding sense of organization to host such quality and number of Nigerian women on Akwa Ibom soil, Dr. Ini Adikpan has further proven capability and diplomatic reach; hence deserves a dozen more pats on her shoulders!           

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