Governor Eno Reiterates Commitment To Gender Inclusive Government

In commemorating this year’s International Women’s Day, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reiterated his commitment to a gender-inclusive government devoid of discrimination and bias against women.

Governor Eno, who was speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds on the occasion of the 2024 International Women’s Day with the theme: “Invest in Women; Accelerate Progress,” used the occasion to thank Akwa Ibom women for standing by him during his campaign period and for playing critical roles in his successful election.

He said the theme of this year’s IWD aligns with one of the components of the ARISE Agenda, “to promote small and medium-scale businesses in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, which, according to him, could be seen in the training of over 400 female youths in the state.

Gov. Eno also pledged to support the Golden Initiative for All, an initiative of the First Lady with a key component of training the girl child.

He said women are the engine of every household. They take care of everybody and are respected for their innate wisdom while being appreciated as the central figure of the family.

He, however, urged them to embrace agriculture and charged the Ministry of Women Affairs to work with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that women in the 31 local government areas are empowered and encouraged to go back to their farms beginning this month.

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He emphasised that the planned bulk purchase agency was merely an intervention project that was not sustainable, adding that the most sustainable solution to the food crisis is for everyone to return to farming.

In his words, “I stand here today to thank all of you and salute the courage that you showed on March 18, 2023. You came out to cast your vote and stood by your vote. From our records, women were the highest set of voters in Akwa Ibom State. Women play a very critical role in the democratic process, and that is why we have given them a good slot. I am happy to be here today to join my wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience, in celebrating the 2024 International Women’s Day, being the first since we came into office.

“This is a great event that is marked every year across the world to celebrate the giant strides women have made across sectors. We treasure and admire your contributions towards the development of our dear state.

Speaking on the need to embrace agriculture, he said, “I would like to request the women. The House of Assembly has just passed the Bulk Purchase Agency Bill, and by next week I will sign it into law and, thereafter, announce the diverse ways we intend to get food to every household. As I have said, this is an intervention project, it cannot be sustainable. What is sustainable is for us to return to the farms. We want to launch cassava planting in the state,” he added.

Earlier, the wife of the governor, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno, saluted the strength, courage, and resilience of Akwa Ibom State women and their accomplishments in their various fields of endeavour.

She said the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA) will be leveraged to invest in gender equality and women’s empowerment, describing it as a smart investment that will breed economic growth, food security, income opportunities, and better lives, particularly in rural areas where most of the world’s poorest live.

She said the theme of this year’s celebration is a strong call that reflects the crucial need for supporting women’s empowerment, women’s organisations, and others, adding that investing in women means investing in sustainable development.