Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has promised women folk that his administration will give them support and more opportunities to contribute their quota in the development of the State.
Governor Okezie who made the remark when members of Vicar Hope Foundation, FIDA and various groups of women coalition led by the Wife of the Governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu, called on him at Government House Umuahia, said he is an advocate of gender equality in governance stating that his administration had tried many women in governance and they performed excellently and proved their leadership prowess.
He, therefore, encouraged women to rally round their own whenever they come up for election and make bold statement through actions.
Governor Ikpeazu who further stated that he supports the crusade against women, girl-child abuse said the advocacy for the protection of the rights of women and children, especially the girl child is worthwhile.
While pledging to assent to all progressive legislations that protect the rights of women and the girl child once it gets to his desk, the governor called on parents to be more vigilant and monitor the activities of their children to prevent abuses by those entrusted to care for them.
“It is dangerous to leave a girl child with people you can’t trust. A defiled child is a distabilized child. I enlist my support to this movement and all the legislations that protect our women and children against abuses will be assented to once they get to my table,” he said.
The Governor urged women to be more vigilant stating that most reported cases of molestation of the girl child were as a result of carelessnes of mothers.
He noted that being a 21st century mother could be challenging but emphasized that the “African woman is well equipped for the challenge”.
In her address, the wife of Governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu, stated that support from the executive arm of the government would help to correct several anomalies that militate against the well-being of women and the girl child.
She informed the Governor that the coalition, which is made up of religious women group, academic women, bureaucrats, women lawyers, female politicians, business people, widows, human rights advocates, professional groups, women labour groups, senior citizens, as well as women leaders in communities and traditional institutions, had paid similar visits to the Legislative and Judicial arms.
“We had visited the house of Assembly, the Judiciary and the state police command on this mission to ensure that the rights of women and the girl child are respected and protected.
“Our Advocacy visit to you is part of a systematic effort at receiving commitment from stakeholders towards elimination of these right abuses,” she said.
Earlier in their separate remarks, Barr. Chidinma Alozie who represented Female lawyers Association (FIDA), Professor Roseline Ndimele and Lady Victoria Akanwa all spoke in support of the advocacy visit stating that the girl child and women folk have suffered greatly in the society in the hands of molesters and called for Executive support to end the menace on women.
The delegation includes wife of the deputy Governor: Lady Vivian Ude Oko Chukwu, wife of former head of State; Lady Aguiyi Ironsi, wife of the speaker; Gloria Chikwendu Kanu, wife of the deputy speaker Ndidi Cosmos Ndukwe, Commissioner for women affairs, wife of State Party Chairman,and many other women leaders in the State.
