By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
The Unity Hall of the Government House, Delta State was filled to capacity with women from all walks of life who gathered for the symposium to mark the 2024 celebration of the International Women’s Day.
Addressing the women, the wife of the Governor, Delta State, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori called on all to appreciate the women in their lives because women are bridge builders.
The Delta State First Lady, represented by the wife of the Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Barr. Ifeoma Akporowve emphasized the need to harness the potentials of women to achieve the goal of inclusion through education, creation of a more conducive environment, inspiring and encouraging women, as well as implementing policies that can advance the status of women in the society.
Welcoming the participants, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Evang. Princess Dr. Pat. Ajudua noted that with the multiple roles women play in the society, it is only pertinent that the women should be considered as critical partners in nation building.
On the theme of the celebration, which is: “Count Her in: Accelerating Gender Equality through Economic Empowerment”, Evang. Princess Ajudua described it as apt, noting that economic empowerment of women is for the benefit of all, and called on everyone to count the girl child in to accelerate gender equality.
In a lecture on the theme of the celebration, the guest speaker, Mrs Onovugbe Olayebi said a woman can only be empowered with what she has, adding that an empowered woman can bridge the gap and stand shoulder to shoulder with her male counterparts.
Speaker after speaker at the event, including the Attorney General/Commissioner, Ministry of Justice, Delta State, Justice Ekemejero Owhovoriole (SAN), represented by the Director, Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and Child Rights Unit, Ministry of Justice, Barr. Uche Akamagwuna; the Commissioner for Humanitarian, Community Services & Girl Child Entrepreneurship, Hon. Drode Uduaghan; the Commissioner for Technical Education, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi; and a member of the PDP Advisory Council, Dame Nkem Okwofor harped on the need to nurture younger women to accelerate gender equality through a re-orientation where both the boy and the girl child should be given equal opportunity to develop to any height they aspire.
The event also featured a health talk on Stress Management by Dr. Faith Ray of World Health Organization, WHO.
Highlights of the event were a drama presentation by the Delta State Arts & Culture, and decoration of key stakeholders at the event by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Delta State.
