Cross River State Ministry of Women Affair Conducts a Free and Fair Elections of Officers into National Council of Women Societies (NCWS); Inaugurates Elected Executives.
The Ministry of Women Affairs on 7th of July, 2016 facilitated the conduction of a free and fair elections, and inaugurated the winners into the Cross River State Chapter of National Council for Women Affairs (NCWS). This was peacefully carried out at the Women Development Center, Parliamentary, Calabar in a very organized manner under the watch of the National President of NCWS, Chief Mrs. Nkechi Mba, who came all the way from Abuja with her entourage for this important election.
In a key-note address presented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Stella Odey, welcomed the National President of NCWS, Chief Mrs. Nkechi Mba and her entourage as well as other dignitaries and members of NCWS in Cross River State. She commended the kind gestures of His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade for being gender-friendly by giving women a sense of belonging in his administration as obvious in the appointment of women into various offices in the state. She noted also that the state Governor ensured that women (especially widows) constitute the workforce of the Cross River State Garment Factory.
The 1st Lady, Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade who chaired the event (represented by Mrs. Osim Asu) was highly extolled by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and other spokespersons for her virtues and contributions to the development of women in the state. She powered the free medical outreach in Ikom and Yakurr LGAs, introduced urine malaria test (a new innovation), registration of widows into EDC and so many other laudable achievements through her NGO, Mediatrix Development Foundation.
In her remark, the National President was quite excited that the Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade is doing so well by carrying women along in his administration. She urged the women to take leading roles in the political, economic, social and cultural lives, to fight against violence, physical & sexual abuse, poverty, immorality and spread of AIDS, the use of drugs and racial disharmony.
However, the National President of NCWS made a passionate appeal to the government of Cross River State to provide a Coaster Bus for Cross River State Chapter of NCWS to ease their mobility to their events. She also appealed for a State Secretariat for NCWS in Calabar.
The National Council of Women Societies is the Apex decision making organ for women in Nigeria. Amongst other things, it sets agenda for acceleration of development initiatives which brings succor and service delivery to women. It was also formed to promote the welfare of women societies in Nigeria. Their activities also foster the bond of friendship, national unity and understanding among its members. The NCWS is charged with the responsibility of articulating the rights and responsibility of women, encourage women to participate effectively in development, protecting the legal right of women to vote and be voted for, promote cooperation with women in other states and nations.
In her address, the outgoing Caretaker Chairperson of the Cross River State Chapter of NCWS, Mrs. Ekama Aara was grateful for the opportunity given to her to serve by the former 1st Lady, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke on the 4th of August 2014. She mentioned several achievements during this period which includes employment of additional staff into NWSC School; purchase of electrical fittings and fans; renovation of equipment in the School playground, etc. She however pointed out challenges such as lack of mobility for members; lack of functional secretariat, inability to get more uniforms and ID cards from the national body, etc.
The atmosphere was highly charged with fun as the beautiful women of Cross River State, cladded in stunning apparel, conducted themselves very well at the event which saw the dissolution of a care-taker committee and election of new officers and their subsequent inauguration into the Cross River State Chapter of NCWS. The Electorates consisted of twenty delegates each drawn from the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State.
The high-point of the event was the movement of a motion by Mrs. Sylvia Atsu (former Chairperson, CRS Secondary Education Board) for consensus towards ushering in a new executive to run the affairs of CRS chapter of NCWS. This motion was seconded by Mrs. Inyang Ita and was unanimously agreed by all present due to their high level of understanding and cooperation amongst members across the state.
To this end, the following women were vested with the responsibility of running the Cross River State Chapter of the NCWS:
S/No.
Name, LGA and Designation:
1
Mrs. Ekama Awara
Abi
President
2
Mrs. Lucy Abu
Obudu
3
Ntunkae Awo Abua
Calabar Municipal
4
Dr. Mrs. Mary Inyang
Yakurr
5
Mrs. Veronica Ochala
Yala
6
Mrs. Veronica A. Oko
Bekwara
7
Hon. Torita Odu
Ogoja
8
Mrs. Pauline Achak Besong
Ikom
9
Mrs. Winifred Okon
Bakassi
10
Mrs. Patricia Ayi Ita
Odukpani
11
Mrs. Umoh Eyo Etta
Akpabuyo
12
Mrs. Gina Mbeh Bessong
Boki
13
Mrs. Josephine Ayamba
Akamkpa
14
Mrs. Bridget Alima
Obanliku
15
Mrs. Bridget Etta
Etung
16
Mrs. Hellen Mboto
Obubra
17
Dr. Mercy Bassey
Biase
18
Mrs. Esther Bassey
Calabar South
19
Dr. Pauline Akor
Etung
20
Mrs. Hellen Owokwore
Bakassi
