Calabargist, one of Cross River’s top media outlets, will be hosting an online event to commemorate International Women’s Day on March 24, 2025.
This livestream event will take place on Calabargist’s official Facebook page and will feature distinguished speakers and moderators discussing gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social development.
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. Minika Hagan-Okon
Consultant Family Physician | President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (Cross River State Branch)
Dr. Minika Hagan-Okon, an Efik indigene, was born in Lagos and later moved to Calabar. She attended Federal Government Girls’ College, Calabar, before proceeding to the University of Calabar for her medical training.
During medical school, she took on leadership roles, serving as:
Assistant Class Representative (Years 1 & 2)
Treasurer, Cross River Medical Student Association
Vice President, Cross River Medical Student Association
After graduating, she completed her housemanship and NYSC in Abuja, where she advocated for better remuneration for corps doctors. She then began her residency training at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where she was elected Vice President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UCTH.
She is currently:
President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (Cross River State Branch)
Consultant Family Physician, UCTH
Head of Unit, Federal Secretariat Staff Clinic, Calabar
Dr. Minika has also earned several certifications, including:
Leadership & Management – University of Washington
Project Management – University of Washington
Health in Humanitarian Crises – London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Measuring & Valuing Health – University of Sheffield
She is currently pursuing a PhD in Family Medicine.
Beyond her career, she is a wife and mother of two. She enjoys gardening, reading, and playing games.
Mr. Arikpo Williams
Development Practitioner | Gender Justice Advocate
With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Arikpo Williams has worked extensively with gender-based violence survivors, including women, children, and street-involved youth.
He has held key positions in organizations such as:
Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realization (POWER)
Mothers Against Child Abandonment (MACA)
African Child Foundation
Ministry of Humanity & Social Welfare, Cross River State
As a family court assessor in the Cross River State High Court of Justice, he has worked alongside top judges on cases involving women and children’s rights.
Williams has contributed to policy development, including:
Cross River State Gender Policy & Strategic Plan
Child Rights Law Review
Family Court Rules & Prosecution Guidelines
He is a co-author of Future Leaders: Young Persons to Watch and has produced several advocacy films, including:
Sweet Mother (Gender-Based Violence)
Save the Children (Child Protection)
Money Marriage (Child Marriage in Becheve, Obanliku)
Williams currently coordinates the Coalition for the Promotion of Gender Justice and is a member of:
Cross River State SGBV Taskforce
Young Men’s Network Against SGBV
Civil Society Leadership Network
Mrs. Aniefiok Aniekan Iton
Entrepreneur | Logistics Expert | Gender Advocate
Aniefiok Aniekan Iton is a seasoned expert in marketing, maritime business, international trade, logistics, and leadership.
Her qualifications include:
BSc in Marketing – University of Calabar
MBA – Nexford University, USA
Executive Diploma in Freight Forwarding & Supply Chain Management – University of Lagos
Honorary Doctorate in Gender Management – WIGS, Istanbul Egitimler, Turkey
She is the CEO of Twindynasty Global Limited, Brightflow Logistics Services Ltd., and Brightflow Skills Development & Vocational Institute.
Her work in entrepreneurship and gender advocacy has earned her numerous awards, including:
NEPC Award for Active Women in MSME (2022)
IEOM Award for Maritime Sector Innovation (2024)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Award for Agribusiness Impact (2024)
Beyond business, she is a mentor, pastor, creative writer, and humanitarian.
Barr. Ann Alorye Awah
Legal Practitioner | Gender Consultant
With 18 years of legal experience, Barr. Ann Awah specializes in gender budgeting, legal drafting, mediation, and human rights advocacy.
She is the immediate past Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Cross River State Branch and a strong advocate for women’s rights.
A member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), she has served as:
Secretary of the Election Committee Board
Bar Week Committee Member
She is committed to driving gender justice and policy change in Nigeria.
Dr. Esther Uzoh
Senior Lecturer | Gender & Social Work Advocate
Dr. Esther Uzoh is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Calabar and holds leadership roles, including:
State Coordinator, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)
State Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASOW)
She is deeply involved in education, social work, and women’s empowerment.
CSP Philomina Modor
Head of Gender Unit, Cross River State Police Command
CSP Philomina Modor has led the Gender Unit of the State Police Headquarters in Calabar for 15 years.
She collaborates with international and local agencies, including:
UNICEF
UN Women
UNFPA
Ministry of Justice & Social Welfare
She is an expert in gender-related case investigations and has received multiple awards for her contributions to gender justice and child protection.
Nnenna Idika Ugbor
Programs Manager, Gender and Development Action (GADA)
Nnenna leads initiatives focused on:
Women’s political participation & leadership
Gender-based violence prevention
Economic empowerment for women & girls
Her advocacy efforts include:
Supporting the first female SUG President at the University of Calabar
Advocacy for Affirmative Action & the GEO Bill
She was awarded “Most Responsive Project Officer” by ActionAid Nigeria for her outstanding work in gender advocacy.
Meet Our Moderator: Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke
Gender Advocate | Policy Strategist | Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming
Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke is a dedicated gender advocate and policy strategist, currently serving as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming in Cross River State.
Her work includes:
Spearheading the Women in Climate Action Bootcamp
Gender-responsive budgeting & policy reforms
Training law enforcement on gender-sensitive approaches
She is a member of global gender advocacy networks and a recipient of multiple International Women’s Day Awards.
Join Us!
Date: March 24, 2025
Venue: Calabargist’s Official Facebook Page (Livestream)
Stay tuned for an insightful and engaging discussion on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
