2022 INT'L WOMEN DAY: A'IBOM GOVERNOR'S WIFE HARPS ON WOMEN INCLUSION IN GOVERNANCE ...Tasks Women on Child Upbringing, Respect To Husbands.

 

By Edet Okpo

As Women of Akwa Ibom State converged in their number at the area headquarters of  The Apostolic Church Nigeria,Ikot Abia Idem,Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area for Thanksgiving to commemorate the 2022 International Women Day, the Wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr.(Mrs) Martha Udom Emmanuel has made a case for Governors of all states in the federation to increase the number of Women in the business of governance to address the issues of gender equality and political participation.

Dr. Martha who stressed the need for women to be given their right of place in governance as they constitute over 70 percent of voting population,frowned at the action of certain Members  of the National Assembly who vehemently opposed the bill to give Nigerian Women Special Seat in the red chambers.

While expressing confidence that the gender- sensitive leadership  of National Assembly will reconsider the bill to encourage  women  participation and inclusiveness  in the legislative business, noted that her husband, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has made a  bold statement in his gender-friendly administration through massive   Women empowerment programmes and  inclusion in governance,evident  in the increased   number of Akwa Ibom women occupying  various  elective and appointive offices. A development she said has never happened in the history of Akwa Ibom State since the advent of democracy in Nigeria.

Paying glowing tributes  to her grand Mother who groomed,  nurtured mentored  and exposed her to Christ, Late Deaconess Inyang Akpan, whom she disclosed served God faithfully and diligently  as an active Witness Member and Deaconess at The Apostolic Church, Ikot Abia Idem until her death in 1985, the Governor's Wife also admonished Women in the State to be submissive to their husbands; and  lay a solid moral and academic  foundations for  their wards to thrive on.

 

Earlier in her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan maintained that the 2022 International Women Day  thanksgiving Service  was very significant to Akwa Ibom women as it afforded them an opportunity to Thank God and celebrate  the Akwa Ibom  Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel  and  his dear Wife,Martha for given them strategic platforms in governance and for floating Various empowerment and life- touching projects for Women.

Describing Dr. (Mrs) Martha Emmanuel as a trail-blazer, phenomenal Mother, National and international Award Winning Governor's Wife and the image of Akwa Ibom Women, Dr

Adiakpan saluted the  Akwa Ibom First Lady  for helping Women to break barriers and for proving that a woman can break glass ceiling to make bold statement that outlasts history.

According to Women Affairs Commissioner, the many  humanitarian services and aggressive awareness campaigns on all forms of abuses  against Women, ably championed by you  are peculiar stories of capacity,resilience, excellence and tenacity of purpose that dignifies womanhood ; and inspires and challenges both young and old generations.

In his Sermon, the Area Superintendent of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Ikot Abia Idem Area,Ikot Ekpene Field, Apostle Joseph Umoh who preached on the necessity of Thanksgiving,urged Christians all over the World to resist every satanic agenda; and be thankful and appreciative to God  for his benevolence and magnanimity upon their lives.

The Cleric declared that realizing God's goodness,even in challenging times serves  as a gateway for joy and many blessings.

Highpoint of the event was the donation of hundred pieces of wrapper and cash to the Church.

Also Present at the occasion were: Wife of the first indigenous Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Fumi Nkanga, Deputy Speaker and Chairman,House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare,Rt. Hon. (Princess ) Felicia A. Bassey,  Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet, Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mrs Enobong Mbobo, Wife of Head of Civil Service, Mrs Uduak Essien, Wife of State Chairman of PDP, Mrs Unyime Akpan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Margaret Edem, FIDA President, Akwa Ibom Chapter, Barr(Mrs) Iquo Abia, Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government, Rt. Hon. Unyime Etim and Wife, Chairman of Urueoffong)Oruko, Rt. Hon. Precious  Selong, Dr. Mrs Nsenkpong Udoh, Mrs Maureen Umana, Chief Mrs Janet Amba, Hon. Selina Isotuk, Mrs   Akpan,. Hon.  Helena Etim,  Mbong Iban, Female structures across 31 Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State.

The event continues on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 with road walk to sensitize the public on Sustainable development and Environmental Protection, followed by Radio Programme (Topic : realization of SDG Goal 5 and a priority for other SDGs) would be anchored by Breakthrough Action.

Wednesday 9th March, 2022

* Stakeholders Dialogue/Technical session on Barriers to Gender parity (To be sponsored by USAID S2S)

Monday 14th March, 2022

* Grand Finale

Wednesday, 16th March 

* Capacity Building for women on Human Rights Advocacy