Akwa bom State Governor’s Wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, addressing women at the meeting.
By Anietie Akpan
Women in Akwa bom state led by the Governor’s Wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno have started strategizing towards the upcoming Local Government (LGA) elections in the state.
Accordingly, she hosted female stakeholders, nominated LGA Coordinators and others to drive Gender inclusiveness in leadership.
According to a press release from the Media Unit, Office of the Wife of Governor, Akwa Ibom state, 31 women were selected as Coordinators of the Patience Umo Eno Support Group, to be known as Iban Patience Umo Eno, across the 31 LGAs, to drive the Gender inclusive structure approved by the leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno.
Addressing Female Stakeholders drawn from all the LGAs at Government House in Uyo at weekend, the Governor’s wife, thanked them for their support, steadfastness and commitment to the ARISE Agenda of the State Government, which in turn has attracted a larger space for the women in the polity.
The First Lady who commended her husband for creating more positions in leadership for the women to occupy in their various Local Government Councils, described as unprecedented and unparalleled, the Governor’s directive to the PDP for an increase in the number of female Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councillors, a development that has further endeared him to the people.
A cross section of women at the meeting.
“I want to thank my dear husband, for the kind of Governor he has been, since inception. What he is doing for the people and the state amazes me. If he has done all these things in one year, you can imagine what the remaining seven years will bring. On your behalf, I specially thank Pastor Umo Bassey Eno for what he has done for the women. The calls I have received since the meeting where he made the pronouncement in favour of Akwa Ibom Women have been massive.
“Now that political activities have intensified, be mindful where you go and what you do. Be careful with your associations so you don’t get into trouble. It is also pertinent that Akwa Ibom women unite and choose credible women in their various wards and Local Government Areas to present themselves for participation in the forthcoming congresses and Local Government elections”, the First Lady said.
She also listed some terms of reference for her Local Government Coordinators and this include : “You are not to work in isolation. You are to convene a meeting of other stakeholders in your LGA, to look for qualified women to serve as Councillors and Chairmen. Such women who should meet the criteria of the zoning arrangement, should show commitment and live up to expectations. They must show workings to justify those slots. We must be very careful who we choose to represent us. In specific terms, we must be sure of their character and integrity”.
A former Deputy Speaker in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Princess Felicia Bassey, the wife of the Paramount Ruler of Eket, Obonganwan Mandu Abia, the Commissioner for Women Affairs Dr Ini Adiakpan and the Presidents of the Senatorial District Women Forums pledged their commitment to galvanize activities in their respective wards and Local Government Areas to make the process of selecting the women for political positions easier.
