Int’l Women’s Day: Gov Eno Condemns Wife Battering, GBV, Rape 

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has condemned, in strong terms, the cases of wife battering and domestic violence which have been on the increase in recent past.

The Governor made his position known at the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration held at the Ibom Hall ground, Uyo.

He said the act of wife battering is animalistic, unthinkable and condemnable, adding that the State under his leadership has taken bold and decisive steps to prosecute those who engage in Gender-Based Violence, rape, wife- battering, and other morally-reprehensible acts against women.

The Governor commended the work done by the Golden Initiative for All (GIFA), especially the strong and decisive steps taken by the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno-Obareki to put an end to what he described as ignoble and immoral acts.

Governor Eno noted that Central in the theme of this year’s celebration, “Accelerate Action,” is the call for gender parity and other biases and limitations women may have faced or are still facing in the society, adding”In Akwa Ibom State, we are happy to report that we have led an inclusive government where women have been given huge roles in the power equation and are accelerating steadily and purposefully. Their rights and privileges have been protected by such laws that criminalize Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other discriminatory practices.

“Today, thanks to the good works done by my dear wife, Her Excellency, Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, and in furtherance of works earlier done in this sector, we have solid complement of our women occupying important positions of authority and responsibility in governance.

“Our Deputy Governor, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi, the Chief Judge of our dear State, His Lordship Justice Ekaette Obot, members of the State Executive Council, Local Council Chairmen and Vice, the PDP structure, and other organs of government have women at the decision- making levels.

He said government will continue to support the women and inspire in them more momentum to accelerate and excel, adding, “This has informed our decision to embark on the training of over 800 of our young ladies-female youths, the ladies in white etc, through the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (IBOM-LED). A total of 750 thousand Naira were given to each of the trainees as take off grants and attendance fees respectively and I am glad with the progress report that most of the beneficiaries have turned that opportunity provided to expand their SME’s.”

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While congratulating and wishing the women well on their special day, the Governor said he saw a group of young ladies under the aegis of “Akwa Ibom State Female Commercial Drivers Association,” and directed the immediate empowerment of the fifteen members of the group with 15 brand new mini-buses.

He also mentioned the young female Akwa Ibomite who is in training as automobile technician, and directed that upon her graduation, she be given the needed tools as well as a support to start her own business.

Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki acknowledged the significant progress made towards equality for women, adding that there is more work to be done to completely eradicate gender disparity in the society.

She noted with appreciation to Governor Eno that women in the State have fared very well, adding that more work needs to be done to ensure that women are given equal rights and opportunity in the society.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Inibehe Silas, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his numerous women empowerment initiatives and for running a system that has granted women unprecedented recognition and prompt action towards ensuring that female gender issues are adequately addressed.