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| The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Valerie Ebe (second right), flanked from right by Wife of former Military Governor of the State, Mrs. Funmi Idongesit Nkanga, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Gloria Edet, and the State President of National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Obonganwan Geraldine Etuk, shortly after a rally by NCWS at Akwa Ibom House, Adamu Bello Way, Abuja, on Thursday |
The President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has been decorated with a Lifetime
Icon Award by the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) for his support
and laudable programmes aimed at empowering and integrating women into
governance.
In the event, which was part of
the activities to mark the country’s centenary anniversary, jointly organized
by NCWS and Office of the Wife of the President, themed ”Celebration of
Nigerian Women for Peace and Empowerment,” held on Thursday, August 15,
2013, at the International Women Centre, Abuja, President Jonathan thanked the
Council for the honour done him and promised that his administration would
ensure that Nigerian women are able to fully actualize their unique potentials.
The President said the goals of
his transformation agenda would not be accomplished if women, that constitute
about 50 per cent of the country’s population, are not fully integrated into
his administration’s developmental strides.
The Akwa Ibom
State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who was also a recipient of an
award from the Council alongside Vice President Namadi Sambo and governors of
Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Kano, Lagos, and Ondo states, was decorated and
honoured by the Council as the most gender friendly governor with a track
record of being the first in the South-South to have a woman as his deputy, a
female Chief Judge of the State, a female Head of State Civil Service, and more
female across the arms and tiers of government.
Chief Akpabio, who was surprised
by the level of love and support shown him by a team of delegations, led by his
deputy, Lady Valerie Ebe, from the state and the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), had to rescheduled an important assignment abroad for the event which
started with a road walk at the early hour of the day and a rally by all states
of the federation and women groups at the Eagle Square.
The State Deputy Governor, who
mobilized and led women of the state to the event, said the turnout of women
from all facets of life at the event was a testimony to the fact that the role
of women in the development and unity of the country was indispensable.
She said the State Governor and
his Wife were role models in women integration within and outside the shores of
the state urging that women, both old and young, should emulate their
lifestyles and spirits of human kindness which has, over the years, brought
about sustainable infrastructural development in the state.
Lady Ebe commended Chief Akpabio
for his drive in making sure every Akwa Ibom woman stands out among her
contemporaries the world over.
The State Commissioner for Women
Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Gloria Edet, who was also a member of the
State Delegation, said her experience at the rally and award night was
immeasurable adding that the recognition of the State Governor by the
organizers of the event has given her a reason to be proud as an Akwa Ibom
woman.
Mrs. Edet said the women of the
state were poised to stand by the State Governor to any level of his aspiration
in life.
The State Delegation to the rally
had the wife of former Military Governor of the State, Mrs. Funmi Nkanga, the
State President of NCWS, Obonganwan Geraldine Etuk, Obonganwan Maria Oton,
female Chairpersons and wives of Local Government Chairmen, Traditional mothers
and executive members of all women socio-political groups in the state, among
others.
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