By Ime Silas
Wife of the Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area; Mrs. Emily Uko Umoh has promised to empower the women of the local government area through grants for their businesses and other empowerment packages to enable them assist their husbands and take care of their homes.
The Chairman’s wife who made the pledge on Friday, December 22, 2023 when the Executives and members of National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Etinan Chapter paid her an intimation visit, also assured the women that her husband would change the narrative of the area.
Mrs. Emily Umoh while thanking the women for the warmth reception accorded her, promised to collaborate with the Vice Chairman, Council Secretary, Supervisor for Women Affairs and other female political appointees in Etinan LGA to ensure that the women were given their due.
The Chairman’s wife said “I want to thank the Almighty God for the opportunity He has given to my dear husband to be the Chairman of Etinan Local Government Area. May I also use this opportunity to sincerely appreciate the governor of Akwa Ibom State; His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno for allowing himself to be used by God to make this a reality.
I must also thank you specially for receiving me as wife of your Chairman. I am surprised to see this number of women. I didn’t expect this huge number.
“I want to assure you that my husband whom you all know, is a man who loves developing and empowering people. He is coming to change the narratives of this local government area.
As his wife, my business is with the women and I can assure you that I, in collaboration with all the female political appointees, would work with NCWS to empower the women. I want the women to do their businesses successfully so that they can assist their husbands in taking care of their homes.
I’m from Etinan both by birth and marriage. I quite understand what the women of Etinan are going through. Therefore, I’m here to do my best towards changing the situation”
Earlier in her speech, the Etinan Chapter President of NCWS; Hon (Mrs.) Eno Okoko, while congratulating Mrs. Emily on the emergence of her husband as Chairman of the LGA, also appreciated her for accepting to meet with the women shortly after her husband’s appointment.
She said “I want to thank God for you and all the women in the new administration in Etinan Local Government Area. I thank our women who stood with us through thick and thin.
As part of our activities, we organize seminars, skills acquisition trainings within and outside the state. The essence is to empower the women because when a woman is empowered, a nation is empowered. We therefore solicit your support and assistance. We pray God to bless and protect you and help you through so that you will be able to achieve more and surpass your predecessors”.
Speaking during interactive session, Obonganwan Imoh Essien said “By Our Constitution, we are bound to support any government in power. Our aim is to collaborate with the government towards ensuring that our women are empowered to enable them square up with their counterparts elsewhere”
On her part, the Vice Chairman of Etinan; Mrs. Imaobong Michael lauded her boss for appointing a Supervisor for Women Affairs.
Her words “The wife of the Chairman has come to revitalize NCWS. We thank God for this Chairman who has appointed a Supervisor for Women Affairs to be able to work with the women. I want you and all the women in Etinan to cooperate with her for our collective benefits”.
Others who spoke during the event included the Council Secretary; Hon. (Mrs.) Lawrencia Etuk who also doubles as Financial Secretary of NCWS and the Supervisor for Women Affairs; Imaobong Okokon and her Education counterpart; Edidiong Celestine among others.
Highpoint of the occasion was the decoration of the Chairman’s wife by the Chapter President of NCWS with the regalia of the Association.