Onna women’s day celebration 2015: AK. Gov’s Wife commends presevation of cultural heritage

The sleepy, but warm atmosphere of Onna sport stadium in Onna L. G. A. yesterday went agog as Onna daughters far and near came out in their numbers to celebrate the Onna women’s day 2015, among the attendees was the wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, herself a wife and daughter of Onna.

Represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Women and Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet, the first Lady while speaking congratulated all the beautiful and good women of Onna for participating and supporting the epochal event saying that they have made a strong statement that women are not taking the backseat in Onna. 

 

She specially commended the founder and initiator of the event, Akwa Obongawan Patience Akpabio Ukpa for her dedicated traditional leadership of the Onna women adding that the content of the event such as the cultural displays, fashion parade, field events and March pass demonstrates the style, colourfulness and strong commitment to preservation of Onna cultural heritage.

Mrs. Emmanuel also commended the supreme Council of Onna Women for effectively mobilizing the women under one umbrella of love, unity and strength adding that their pay-off line “together we build” emphasizes unity in resourcefulness.

She however charged the Supreme Council of Onna Women to use their platform to deploy grassroots entrepreneurship training and access to micro-credit for hardworking women of Onna noting that the empowerment of women remains a key priority of the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel development agenda. As part of the celebration, Mrs. Emmanuel performed the ground breaking of the Onna Women’s daily market along Onna – Eket road.

Earlier in her remarks, the chairman of occasion, Mrs. Ini Akpauso, thanked the Governor’s wife for her love and support for the event over the years adding that over the years, any programme aimed at touching and impacting the lives of women, she is always passionate about it. She appreciated the founder for the insight of establishing the programme saying it will go down in history. She also congratulated the Governor on his first 100 days in office saying that with him on the saddle, the women will be better off.

Also speaking, the founder and initiator of the event, Akwa Obongawan Patience Akpabio Ukpa first appreciated God for making the week long programme a success. She appreciated the Governor’s wife for her motherly and supportive role in making sure the event was a success as well as pivotal role in encouraging and developing Akwa Ibom women saying that indeed she is a noble and worthy daughter of the soil.

  
The event was characterized with pomp and pageantry as dignitaries were thrilled with various cultural dances and renditions by the various women groups. Traditional titles were also given out to deserving daughters and friends of the area for their meritorious and selfless service by the Paramount Ruler of the area, His Eminence Akwa Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, Oku Ibom Ibibio (111).

Among dignitaries who accompanied the first lady were, former chairman, Technical School Board, Barr. Comfort Etuk, wife of Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Anne Enoidem, wife of Commissioner Housing and Urban Renewal, Mrs. Inem Enobong Uwah, legislators’ wives and wives of transition chairmen.