Tag: Eyoanwan Bassey Otu

Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Reverend Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has assured the Federation of  Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) of adequate support and partnership of her office ,saying the organisation has played a critical role in envisioned a world where women are empowered to be role models in making a positive impact in the society.

The Governor’s wife made this known when she played host to the Muslim Women Organization led by its Ameerah, Hajia Lateefah,Yahaya Idinye and her team in Governor’s office,Calabar.

Reverend Otu reiterated the commitment of FOMWAN interventions in the areas of health, education and women empowerment,
explaining  that “propagating both Islamic and Western education as  a vanguard of change in the society has single out FOMWAN as  a foremost women Muslim organisation in Nigeria and the impact is felt in Cross River State.

“I am very pleased to recieve you  today and my  office will  partner with you as you commenced your FOMWAN week.

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“Like you know,if a woman is educated, she will know her rights and responsibilities, and everything about her life will go in the right direction and she will be able to play her role effectively in the society”

“On Hajj,i can assure you that  Muslim women would be included when the Pilgrim welfare  board is constituted as well as  Hajj sponsorship” she said.

Earlier in her remarks, the Cross River State Chairperson/Ameerah  of FOMWAN, Hajia Lateefah Yahaya Idinye ,said she and her team were in first lady’s office as part of the activities of  FOMWAN week.

The Ameerah said the  visit was also to congratulate  the Governor’s wife for her motherly role in the state, especially in ensuring that more women have been given opportunities  to serve in the State Executive  Council as well as other sectors of Government.

“We seeks for  partnership between your office and the   Muslim Women and inclusion  in the state affairs especially the Hajj activities as we are willing to add value to what the state government is doing”she added.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of gifts and  FOMWAN annual report to the first lady, while she in return donated  foods and non food items for the visiting Muslim Women Organization.

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has elected executive committee to pilot its affairs with the wife of Cross River State Governor, Rev. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu assuming the role of a Patron.

The election comes after an 8-year lull in the NCWS.

President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu Lau, who spoke shortly after the election of the committee members that took place at the Women Development Centre, Calabar at weekend, expressed confidence in the new State leadership and urged Mrs Otu to reactivate the NCWS across the 18 local government areas of the state.

In her words, “We acknowledge and celebrate your remarkable achievements through your pet projects – the Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative. This initiative covers humanitarian services across various sectors.

“Your deep concern for children, women and people with disability is highly recommended. We believe that you shall, with this same zeal, do everything within your powers to reposition the NCWS.”

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In her remarks, the new State Patron of NCWS, Rev. Otu, said her investiture as the Patron of State chapter of the NCWS was a call to more service in her determination to advance women’s empowerment and build a just and equitable society.

The governor’s wife noted that the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) mission aligns closely with her vision for women in Cross River State, and lauded the Council for their work in advocating gender equality and women empowerment.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Edema Irom reminded members that the NCWS remained the oldest women movement in Nigeria that gave birth to the Ministry of Women Affairs at the national and the state level.

She told the women present to note that irrespective of whatever organizations they belong to, they were members of NCWS, urging the elected executive members to see their positions as tools for service and not to intimidate others.

Meanwhile in an interview, the newly inaugurated president of the NCWS in the State, Rt Hon Majorie Asuquo, said the new State Executive of the body was determined to take the NCWS to another level particularly with the guidance of the State Patron, Rev Otu.

According to her, “It is a privilege to serve and we in the exco are determined to take NCSW to another height in Cross River State. We thank our loving mother, Rev Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, for resuscitating NCWS which for the past 7 years was like death. As a new Patron of the NCWS, things will continue to blossom for women in Cross River state.”

Chairman of Cross River State Cocoa Allocation And Rehabilitation Committee, Mr Cosmas Ebori Nku, has felicitated Cross River First Lady, Rev. (Mrs) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu on the occasion of her 60th birthday.

Nku in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, extolled the motherly role of the governor’s wife, which according to him, has touched countless lives both far and near.

He said “It is with great delight that I join your numerous admirers all over the world to celebrate your 60th birthday.

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“Yours is a blessed life, whose motherly role has touched countless people both far and near. Your firm support for our beloved governor in his desire to deliver his People First mantra is such that we will continue to cherish.

“We are indeed grateful that  in just a few months, God has used you to touch several lives, including the vulnerable, women, children etc.

“Thank you for giving hope to the hopeless and for supporting firmly, the drive for a new and better Cross River State.

“Happy 60th birthday Your Excellency.”

In an unprecedented union of beauty and humanitarianism, the inaugural Queen of Humanity Cross River Beauty Pageant, initiated by Rev (Mrs) Eyoanwan Bassey Edet Otu, wife of the Governor of Cross River State, showcased a pioneering commitment to grooming young Nigerian girls in the act of compassion, care, and a profound humanitarian perspective. The organisers revealed the project’s vision during an interview on December 29, 2023, emphasizing the inclusive nature that saw contestants from diverse states of the federation.

Speaking at the event, the wife of the governor extolled her desire to see that the world is a better place for all, hence the creation of the Queen of Humanity Cross River Pageant. In her words, “this pageant will be a panacea to all forms of ills facing the young, the old, the needy and the less privileged in our immediate environment, being Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole.”

She challenged the contestants to brace up for the task ahead, as her office remains committed to training and supporting them to become worthy humanitarian ambassadors.

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Dr. Inyang Asibong, the Special Adviser, Events, Projects and Program Office of the Wife of Governor, re-echoed the essence of the pageant, stating that having a sense of Humanity,  has since eroded the minds of young girls, that the pageant was created to correct the abnormally.

In an interview with the press, the Special Adviser, Events; Governor’s Office, Mr. Effiong Asuquo Ekpenyong reiterated the Sen. Otu’s led administration willingness to use events of this nature to promote event tourism in the state.

Victor Ekpo, the pageant consultant, stated, “Since we are preaching humanity, Her Excellency sponsored 20 forms for 20 lucky Nigerian girls. We went into camp with 29 contestants.”

The pageant project team underscored the pageant’s commitment to inclusivity, reflecting the central theme of humanity that transcends regional boundaries.

Sharing insights into the transformative camp experience, Ekpo explained that the pageant started with a call for sales of forms… After that, the camp opened in Calabar, with camp orientation, master classes, catwalk sessions, and a city tour to experience the sights and sound of Calabar.”

“The contestants were groomed on humanitarian awareness and how to show love and care – knowing that the world will be a better place when we all live for each other.

“After the show of glitz and glam, the event saw Margaret Ekpo, with opportunity,  as a virtue name win the coveted prize of Five Million Naira and an SUV Car, she was crowned as the Queen of Humanity 2023. The first runner-up, Vivian Edem-Anwan Effangha, received the title of Queen of Humanity Cross River Tourism and a consolation prize of two million naira, awarded her by the Wife of the Governor; Rev. Mrs. Bassey Otu”.

The organisers explained why the girls were tagged virtues of humanity like gift, love, kindness, favor, hospitality, help, and we tagged them according to qualities of humanity, not by where they are from.

That’s the new innovation brought up by the working team. The Queen of Humanity Cross River 2023 emerges not just as a beauty queen but as a symbol of compassion and humanitarian values, redefining the landscape of pageantry in Nigeria with credible and impactful initiatives.

The finale was held on December 27 at the Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC).

The event gathered the who is who in both public and private sectors,  the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Rev. Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, the deputy governor of Cross River State, Rgt. Peter Odey, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, members of the state Executive Council,  and members of the diplomatic Corp graced the occasion, with a tantalizing performance by one of Nigeria’s finest musician, Mr. Suny Neji.