March 10, (THEWILL) – The coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, has called on women to be intentional in advocating for total eradication of gender disparity in the society in Nigeria and the world over
Lady Obareki made the call during the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration on the theme, “Accelerate Action”, held at the Ibom hall grounds, Uyo, at the weekend.
She expressed regrets on the fact that girls are still being denied access to formal education, while women are not allowed most times to serve in leadership positions in some parts of the country and the world at large.
According to the First Lady Designate, although women in Akwa Ibom have fared well in the Administration of Governor Umo Eno, more work needs to be done to ensure women are given equal rights and opportunities in the society.
“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”, she said.
She said the various empowerment programmes of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) are targeted at giving women a voice in society.
“As an organisation, the Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, has worked extensively on giving women the needed voice in our society. Through our various empowerment programmes and advocacy against Gender violence, we have provided vulnerable women with lifelines to mitigate the challenges they encounter.
“Under my watch, GIFA remains committed to rolling out life-saving opportunities to vulnerable women in our state. 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”, she emphasised.
Speaking during the event, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, saluted the women-folk, for their innate ability to nurture whatever is committed to their trust, pledging an all inclusive government where women are given premium attention, as seen by the many electives and appointed offices occupied by women in the state.
He pledged his administration’s continued support to 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 in the state.
As a mark of appreciating the women, Governor Umo Eno 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 Ministry 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 celebration, “Accelerate Action”, is a powerful call to everyone to step forward, take charge and work relentlessly towards advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls to realise their full potential.
In a keynote address, a retired Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bassey Eshiet, condemned in strong terms the obnoxious cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, land and property inheritance, and gender parity meted out on women, calling on the women to take up opportunities in education and modern technology.
The event featured a march-past by the women from the 31 Local Government Areas and special performances by women from the Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts, as well as an exhibition of agricultural products from all the Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
