Bringing to limelight the predicament women of Ikot Abasi went through in 1929 Women’s War in Nigeria, Ikot Abasi Women Forum has demanded for equity and justice.
The women who celebrated their fallen heroines during the war recently in Ikot Abasi Local Government headquarters, at the event tagged “84th Anniversary of the 1929 Women’s War” charged State and Federal Government not to keep mute on the compensation that they were agitating for.
They stressed that they cry for compensation for the women as was initiated in 1986 by Late Dr. (Mrs.) Emma Brown was to resonate the damages done to women of Ikot Abasi during the war. According to them, compensating the women is what could satisfy and justify what they called natural justice.
As gathered by our correspondent, some virtuous women of Ikot Abasi extraction were brutally massacred on the 16th December, 1929 at Consular Beach, Egwanga Opobo, now known as Marina Beach, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
Unveiling the total number of women killed, data shows that 26 women were killed on the spot including the then Women Leader, Madam Adiaha Edem, the mother of Sir Udo Udoma, while 31 women were injured. Our source also disclosed that three of the wounded women later died, meaning that 29 Ikot Abasi women died in the process.
Record further disclosed that as shooting took place near the river bank, that numbers of women who were drowned in the river were not ascertained as some women took the river rout in a bid to escape painful death.
Explaining the ordeal, the women said the cause of the pathetic and ugly incident occurred when women of Ikot Abasi pleaded for the removal of the British Colonial Policy of Taxation. They also added that the women later protested against the imposition of the policy on women since the then government refused to listen to their plea.
An in-depth uncover of the terrible story according to Ikot Abasi Women Forum indicates that one District Officer, Mr. A. R. Whiteman on one faithful day summoned six women leaders at the then District Office near the right bank of Ikot Abasi River for negotiation, pretending as their spokesperson before more women arrived. According to source, they were not happy since the women were not aware of what happen to their leaders inside.
The source disclosed that they started beating the fence of the District Office before the Commander of contingent of soldiers; Lieutenant J. N. Hills ordered the troops to open fire on the women who were peacefully assembled.
The soldiers who were armed with rifles opened fire on the women after Lieutenant Hills personally fired and killed the then women’s leader, Madam Adiaha Edem, the mother of Sir Udo Udoma.
Restating the importance of compensating the women, they added that realizing their goal means a lot to them than food on their tables, stating that recognizing their contributions in building Nigeria will advance and boost their morale in contributing positively to the uplift and growth of Nigeria, as a nation.
The women who saluted the Executive Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Hon. (Arc.) Ufot Sunday Udoinyang and his wife Hon. (Mrs.) Mayen Ufot Udoinyang for hosting the 84th Anniversary of the 1929 women’s war which was in remembrance of the fallen heroines in Ikot Abasi appealed to relevant authorities and agencies to listen to their plea.
The women also thanked the House of Representatives Member, Hon. (Dr.) Akpan Micah Umoh for presenting the motion before the National House of Assembly and for supporting the women’s objective.
The women who also saluted the State Governor, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio and his dear wife, Lady Ekaette Unoma Akpabio and the Deputy Governor, Noble Lady (Barr) Valerie Ebe for supporting Ikot Abasi Women Forum towards the realization of its common goal, pledged to contribute their quota to the development of Akwa Ibom State.
Reacting to the insinuation on whether the pathetic incident “1929 women’s war” took place in Ikot Abasi, the executive chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Hon. (Arc.) Ufot S. Udoinyang said it was wrong for any State and Local Government to claim what they know nothing about.
He enjoined all relevant State and Federal agencies to make effort towards developing the location which the sad incident occurred, stating that the area should be made a tourist centre in honour of the departed heroines, stressing that the initiative will help to set the records straight.
No comments:
Post a Comment