The Akwa Ibom First Lady designate, Helen Eno Obareki has vowed to do all within her powers to scale up the dignity of women and gender parity in the State.
Lady Obareki gave the assurance on Saturday, March 8, during the 2025 International Women’s day celebration themed “Accelerate Action” which was held at the Ibom hall grounds, Uyo.
She, however regretted that girls in some parts of the country are still being denied access to education while women are not allowed to serve in leadership positions.
She said although women in Akwa Ibom have fared well in the Administration of Governor Umo Eno, more work needed to be done to ensure they receive equal rights and opportunity in the society.
Her words, “In various parts of the world, Nigeria inclusive, there are setbacks. Girls are still denied access to good education and women are underrepresented in leadership roles. This casts a shadow on our celebration and reminds us of the need to recommit ourselves to accelerating action by ensuring that every woman, regardless of background, where she lives or worships, has the opportunity to thrive.
“By God’s special grace, in the coming days and weeks, we will use our various channels to accelerate action in a bid to scale up the dignity of women in multiple domains.”
Obareki said the various empowerment programmes of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), were targeted at giving women a voice in the society.
In his address, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, congratulated the womenfolk on their day and saluted them for their innate ability to nurture whatever is committed to their trust, pledging an all inclusive government where women are given full premium.
The Governor, added that he will continue to support the women and inspire them for greatness, stating that the Office of the First Lady will be empowered to act decisively against all forms of Gender Based Violence and all obnoxious practices against women.
Eno also announced the empowerment of 15 female drivers under the platform of the Akwa Ibom State Female Commercial Drivers Association with 15 brand new mini-buses for their transportation businesses and also directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and that of Youth Development to collaborate and work towards providing a young female automobile electrician with a workshop and tools once she is done with her internship in May.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas stated that the 2025 International Women’s Day is a time to reflect and celebrate the incredible contributions of women in all spheres of life. She noted that the theme of the event is a call to everyone to step forward, take charge and work relentlessly towards advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls to realize their full potentials.
In a keynote address, a retired Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bassey Eshiet, condemned the
obnoxious cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, land and property inheritance, gender parity meted out on women, calling on the women to take up opportunities in education and modern technology.
