2026 IWD: C'RIVER WOMEN HIT THE STREETS IN A MEGA MATCH IN MARCH.By: Rekpene Uket

.Activities in commemoration of International Women's Day (IWD) climaxed in Cross River State with a mega rally tagged " Women's Match in March" organized by the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with her partners to mark grand finale of series of activities embarked upon within the month of march in commemoration of this year's Int'l Women's Day.
    Flagging off the rally at the millennium park, Calabar, Her Excellency, the wife of the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Bishop Dr. Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu who was ably represented by the Special Adviser to the wife of Governor on Programmes, Apostle Queen Eton commended the women for their resilience, dexterity and contributions to the growth and development of the society.
  On that note, she flagged off the rally in the name of the triune God.
   The women matched through some major streets in Calabar metropolis from 11-11 through Calabar road, Mary Slessor Avenue, Marian road, IBB way through the Governor's office and terminated at the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs.
    Speaking in a keynote address, Her Excellency, Bishop Dr. Mrs Eyoanwan Otu reiterated the love and commitment of Apostle Dr. Prince Bassey Otu's Administration towards women empowerment as well as more inclusion of Women in governance.
  Reflecting on the 2026 theme for Int'l Women's Day which is "Give to Gain" Bish. Dr. Mrs Otu emphasized that true progress is routed in selflessness and sacrifice adding that, giving is not all about material resources, we can also give our time through mentorship, sharing of knowledge and skills, noting that, IWD is not only a moment of reflection but a call to action.
   The wife of the Governor of Cross River State maintained that, Cross River State Government is committed to advancing women's educational and economic empowerment as well as social protection through women led initiatives.
   Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom welcomed all dignitaries and participants to the event, commending the strength and resilience even in the face of unfavourable weather conditions.
  Highlighting on the year's theme, Hon. Irom harped on the need to give not only when you have enough but to give even from the little you have adding that, giving is an act of love, sacrifice and selflessness.
   Hon. Irom also stated that, the the "People First" Administration runs an inclusive government and therefore commended them for all they do for women and children in Cross River State 
  The Commissioner for Women Affairs also emphasized that Cross River State women are in support of the Special Seats Bill but however admonished the women not to lose sight of the regular seats while pursuing the Reserved Seats, adding that, the Cross River State Lobby Group for Women in Politics will soon be flagged off. She therefore urged all women to participate effectively.
   In their separate goodwill messages, the wife of the Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Mrs Nelly Elvert Ayambem, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Archbishop Prof. Margaret Ene-Ita, Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs Abigail Duke, former Secretary to the Government of Cross River State, Barr. Tina Banku Agbor , representative of UN Agencies, Mr. Richard Valentine as well as other partners took turns to celebrate the women for their resilience and contributions towards the development of the society while encouraging them to step up their game by coming out to contest in the forth -coming elections come 2027.
   The event also featured a pep talk on Stress Management, presented by the Director General, Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivian Otu, as well as a talk on TB Awareness delivered by the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk and a presentation by the National Pension Commission ( PENCOM).
   In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs. Rita Eteng appreciated all the dignitaries present, the partners as well as all the women groups for turning out en masse to grace the occasion.
   The event was attended by top government functionaries, development partners, Civil Society Organizations, wives of the various military and paramilitary formations, Local Government Women Associations as well as the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists ( NAWOJ) amongst others.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Post

Money Marriage in Becheve

Image
Written By Kebe Ikpi There is a video going round via different social media platforms on the issue of okèngorò (money woman). According to the narrator, the money woman (a sinister form of child marriage) is prevalent in Becheve, Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State. Several concerned platforms have been inundated with this video and there have been different reactions from different statekholder. At the end of the video, the content creator advertised his editing masterclass. This, in my view, was the ultimate goal of the video.  In a swift response, the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State issued a statement saying that money marriage is an old practice that has been abolished. According to the statement, Reverend (Mrs) Eyoawan Bassey Otu, “undertook a comprehensive fact finding mission to investigate the current status of this ancient tradition in August 2023”. The statement says she drew her conclusion that the tradition has been abolished after that “fact ...
Read more

MONARCH PLEDGES SUPPORT TOWARDS CHILD RIGHTS LAW IMPLEMENTATION By Rekpene Uket

Image
The Chairman, Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Ovai Elder Solomon Osim Edward has  pledged his maximum support towards the implementation of the Cross River State Child Rights Law. The Monarch made the commitment during an Advocacy Visit by members of the State Child Rights Law Implementation Committee led by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom to his office in Calabar. Ovai Elder Solomon Edward reiterated his passion and commitment towards the welfare of children as well as their Rights, hence, he would not hesitate to give his full support towards the implementation of the Cross River State Child Rights Law. The Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council also informed the committee that the Council will meet in April,2025. He offered to give members of the committee an opportunity to address the Traditional Rulers on the provisions of the Child Rights Law. Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom who led the t...
Read more

Nigeria’s House of Representatives step down NGOs, CSOs regulatory bill

Image
  The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to step down the consideration of the bill for an Act to establish a regulatory agency for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The bill seeks to regulate the promotion of social development activities in Nigeria and for related matters, sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on Water Resources, Hon. Sada Soli.  In his lead debate, Hon. Soli observed that the bill seeks primarily to establish the Agency to ensure NGOs as well as CSOs live up to their full potentials of societal development, as well as coordinate private-public development partnership.  He stated that the Agency will also ensure that these NGOs and CSOs are well regulated and managed to ensure they do not abuse the room for their performance in favor of unwholesome practices. The Agency when operational, Hon. Sada stated, will ensure these organizations stick to stipulated policy guidelines, help government to trac...
Read more

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2025

Image
 Williams Okoi Arikpo Today is International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation and the Theme for this year is  "Stepping up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM" Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women. Girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health. Although primarily concentrated in 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East, female genital mutilation is a universal issue and is also practiced in some countries in Asia and Latin America. Female genital mutilation continues to persist amongst immigrant popul...
Read more

BREAKING: Oronsaye Report to be implemented

Image
 COMPLETE LIST OF AGENCIES, COMMISSIONS AND PARASTATALS AFFECTED BY THE APPROVAL OF THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING [FEC] MEETING OF 26TH FEBRUARY 2023 ON THE ORONSAYE PANEL REPORT AGENCIES TO BE SCRAPPED 1. Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate to be scrapped and functions transferred to the Federal Ministry of Finance 2. National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) to be scrapped and functions transferred to the department of Basic and Secondary Education in Federal Ministry of Education. AGENCIES TO BE MERGED 1. National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) to be merged under the Centre for Disease Control in Federal Ministry of Health. 2. National Emergency Agency (NEMA) to be merged with National Commission Refugee, Migration and Internally Displaced persons [NCFRMI]. 3. Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA) to be merged with Directorate of Technical Aid (DTAC) and to function as a department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 4. Infras...
Read more