By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo.
Nigeria and indeed Africa has been left behind in the development matrix of the global community, to this, Southern Governors’ Wives Forum has been urged to continue to use their platform to speak with one voice to change the status-quo.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel stated this on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the forum led by his wife, Deaconess Martha, who paid him a courtesy call in his office as part of their quarterly meeting in Uyo.
Governor Emmanuel appreciated them for coming together under one umbrella irrespective of their party divides and for their selfless prayers which he said has promoted peaceful co-existence in the country, urging them to keep the feat and always endeavor to contribute their quota towards the development of their states.
In her remarks, the hostess, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel appreciated her husband who she described as a ‘gender friendly governor’ for sparing his time to meet with the First Ladies and extolled her counterparts for finding Akwa Ibom State worthy to host the third edition of the quarterly meeting.
Mrs. Emmanuel stated that the importance of the forum was them to exchange and compare narratives and ideas that will complement the tasks of their husbands in building a more progressive society.
Also speaking, the chairperson of the forum and wife of Imo state Governor, Mrs. Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha lauded the Governor of Akwa Ibom state for a warm reception accorded them and also for the infrastructural development in the state. She stressed the importance of the forum as a platform to build a new Nigeria which is poised to complement the efforts of their husbands through their respective pet projects.
Mrs. Okorocha stated that the forum comprises of 17 members who are wives of governors’ from the Southern states of the federation, and promised to support the programmes of the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari whom she said is the leader of the operational platform.
Earlier, in an interactive session with a cross section of Akwa Ibom schools’ girls held at Ibom Hall, the Forum advised the girls on the need to uphold their dignity by abstaining completely from sexual relationships.
Speaking, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel said over 16 million teenage girls in Nigeria were pregnant; adding that the figure if not checked may go higher.
The Governor’s wife who frowned at the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the country said the interactive session was organized to sensitize and inspire the Akwa Ibom girl-child to aspire for greatness. Mrs. Emmanuel encouraged the girls to abstain from any relationship that could impede them from their bright future, pointing out that the girl-child of today is the great mother of tomorrow.
Also, the Chairperson of the forum, Mrs. Ugo Nneoma Rochas Okorocha in her remarks charged the girls to be proud of their identity, saying the girl-child has all it takes to become great in the society.
In her words, “I charge you girls to study hard and be serious with your education, remember a dint of hard work and faith in God will guarantee your future.”
Highpoint of the interaction was a symbolic presentation of souvenir bags by the wives of Southern governors’ to the school children to motivate the girl-child.
