The Akwa Ibom State Government has officially inaugurated its State Technical Committee (STC) on Nigeria for Women Project, an initiative aimed at empowering women across the state.
Innaugurating the Committee was the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, who also serves as co-chair of the project.
The event which was held at the Ministry’s conference hall, Hon. Etukudo emphasized the importance of collaboration among various ministries. She noted that members nominated from different ministries were partners to the Nigeria for Women Project, with their Commissioners already serving in the main committee. The technical committee, she explained, will oversee activities such as reviewing annual work plans and budgets, providing technical support, and advising on multi-sectoral coordination efforts.
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Hon. Etukudo congratulated the nominated members, expressing confidence in their ability to represent their respective ministries effectively. She added that Governor Umo Eno has a great passion for the project and has given much support, as well as the role of the World Bank in empowering grassroots women through this initiative. She urged members to work diligently to achieve the project’s goals, monitor progress, and ensure transparency.
“I congratulate you in advance for this great and noble appointment to represent your ministry in this project. This is a project that His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno is very much aware of, and this project is dear to his heart because he is very much happy with the work World Bank is doing through Nigeria for Women Project by empowering our women in the grassroots,” she stated.
Presenting an overview of the project, the State Coordinator for Nigeria for Women Project, Barrister Ofonime Etuknua, said that project was launched in Akwa Ibom following the governor’s approval of ₦150 million as counterpart funding. The project aims to foster economic empowerment among women through self-formed groups that contribute weekly savings, receive financial education, and benefit from skills training in areas such as agriculture, health, and business.
The project has already seen success in six local government areas, with plans to scale up across more Local Government Areas. Women groups are supported with equipment, micro-grants, and livelihood improvement initiatives, including cassava and oil palm processing.
Members of the State Technical Committee include representatives from various ministries such as Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Water and Sanitation, Budget and Planning, Health, and Finance. The committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Margaret Edem, with Barrister Ofonime Etuknua serving as Secretary.
In her acceptance speech, the Permanent Secretary of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Margaret Edem expressed gratitude for the project’s progress and commended the efforts of previous administrations. She assured the committee’s commitment to working in alignment with the World Bank’s objectives and to ensuring the success of the project in Akwa Ibom.
The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of the State Technical Committee by the Honourable Commissioner and was witnessed by Ministry’s key officials including the Director of Admin and Supplies, Mrs. Affiong Nkom, the Head of Social Welfare, Mr. Kazeem Lawal, Head Rehabilitation department , Mrs. Dorathy Essang and committee members.
