GOV. AYADE: A LEADING LIGHT IN WOMEN EMANCIPATION – ODEY

By Kingsley Agim

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Stella Oreme Odey has described Governor Ben Ayade's administration a as "a leading light and veritable platform for women emancipation."

Hon. Odey made this assertion when she spoke as a panelist at the just-concluded FAD 360TV/FAD 93.1 FM Cross River State Political Summit, held at the Dome, Calabar Municipal Garden, Calabar.

Speaking further, Hon. Odey hailed Governor Ayade's leadership disposition and government of inclusivity, adding that in a world where the fight for women emancipation and gender equality has taken the front burner, Governor Ayade has blazed the trail and become a leading light in the crusade for gender equality, by appointing competent females into top government and other decision-making positions in the state.

The Commissioner said the Ayade-led administration, through her Ministry, has trained several women on skills acquisition and also empowered trainees with start off packs; a gesture she maintained, will go a long way in making beneficiaries entrepreneurs and employers of labour in the near future, while the benefits that come with it will also help to support their families economically and otherwise. She added that Governor Ayade's employment of women, mostly widows, in the Garment Factory is also an enormous example of economic empowerment for the Cross River woman.

The Commissioner thanked Governor Ayade for placing high premium on women emancipation and the massive inclusiveness of women in his administration, describing the governor as a "gender advocate."

Also speaking, another panelist, Mr. Joseph 'La Shakara' Edet, said with the present administration's vision of economic prosperity for Cross Riverians and residents of the State, Governor Ben Ayade is taking Cross River to the next level in terms of ease of doing business.

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the media establishments, Mr. Fidelis Duker, stated that the objective of the summit was to basically to bring those in the gamut of the political structure together, have an interactive session where people can network, engage meaningfully and discuss on how elections can be more credible, transparent and devoid of violence.

Mr. Duker said the major setback in our democracy is the issue of electorates' votes count at the end of the day, noting that it was high time stakeholders came together and work towards changing the narrative for good.