February 14, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State government has signalled plans to deepen collaboration with the women’s wing of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to address issues affecting women and drive broader development across the Niger Delta.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, made this known while receiving a delegation from the Akwa Ibom State chapter of PANDEF’s Women Wing during a courtesy visit to her office in Uyo.
Etukudo said the state stands to gain from structured engagement with the group, citing the experience and influence of its leadership at both state and national levels.
She noted that closer cooperation could strengthen advocacy and policy alignment on women-focused initiatives within the region.
The visit followed the emergence of former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Obonganwan Grace Ekong, as National Women Leader of PANDEF. The Commissioner described the development as significant for the state’s visibility within regional conversations on development.
She also accepted an invitation to join the women’s wing of the organisation as an executive member, indicating the ministry’s readiness to identify practical areas of collaboration in line with the administration’s development blueprint.
Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State Women Leader of PANDEF, Obonganwan Edith Ettete, said the forum serves as an umbrella body for leaders and stakeholders across the South-South geopolitical zone.
According to her, PANDEF advocates socio-economic development in the Niger Delta, including infrastructure expansion, economic diversification beyond oil, peace-building, and equity in resource distribution and political representation.
Ettete added that the forum played a role in advocacy leading to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, which she said has heightened focus on host community development in oil-producing areas.
She said the Women Directorate is focused on mobilising women across the region to align with development programmes under the forum, and expressed readiness to work with the ministry to advance shared objectives.
Officials present at the meeting included senior directors of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare and other stakeholders.
