IWD Conference 2022: C’River Women charge Ayade’s aide, Oben-Etchi to vie for office of governor

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A senior aide to Gov Ben Ayade of Cross River state has been called upon to vie for the high office of Governor come 2023 general elections across the Nigeria NEGROIDHAVEN can report.

A coalition of women and youths in politics across Nigeria under the umbrella of the “APC National Youth Vanguard” Cross River State chapter has called on the Commissioner for Social Housing and Chairman Commissioners Forum, Cross River State, Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi to contest for 2023 Governorship in the State.

The members of the group at the International Women’s Day conference held today at South-South Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SSEDC) conference hall (Prof. Eyo Ita House) 38 Ndidem Usang Iso Road, Calabar, Cross River State, with the theme: Breaking the Bias, where they presented a letter of their request to the Rt. Honourable.

Speaking on their behalf, the state coordinator of the group, Amb. Joy Ben

said we wish to convey the concerns of our organization to you on the occasion of women’s day set aside to address issues that concern women and proffer solutions that will accelerate inclusion and development and thus, our letter to a man, known for his affection and passion for women development.

She added that “the essence for our action is that we have followed your leadership style over the years, you are a man of capacity, capabilities, and character. You are a father of 3 adorable daughters and an ambassador of He For She.”

According to her, the basis for calling on Rt. Hon. George to run for governorship is hinged on fact that we are confident that with him at the helm of affairs the current 35% for women inclusion will be sustained in the next government and consolidate on the gains of Ayade administration and will continue the industrialization drive of his excellency and bring onboard fresh innovative ideas to governance.

“We hereby on you to declare for the office of the Governor of Cross River State and be rest assured of our total support until we attain Victory”…Joy Ben

Responding to the group, Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi thank the group for the confidence they have in his leadership and ability to be able to lead.

Oben-Etchi said, “I had the privilege of working for the state for about 15 years, in government and today I have risen to become the Chairman of Commissioners forum, I like to plead that my responsibility as Commissioner and leader of commissioners, is to support my governor to finish very strong and leave legacies”.

He spoke further that gender equality is very key for a nation. Nigeria can not make progress if we keep treating gender issues as if they don’t matter.

“I believe that the affirmative action that Cross River State has taken in the past 23 years or more, we need to continue so that we can build a proper state and society and we would be better for it.

“Every nation, where women are helped to develop at will, such nation had made tremendous progress, for me this conference is very special and important.

“Again, it a surprise that the organizer also use a political wing to give me this letter, which means there is something I am doing right in my political journey.

“I have heard what you said, thank you for your letter and believing in me but I will give you a response on a later date because this is not a decision you just wake up to take but trust me, I would not let you down.

Earlier, the local government Chairman of Biase Hon. Ada Charles noted that we are here for the phenomenation, an event that had to do with women, because we just celebrated our women’s day and we are here to change women especially the younger generation, to be self-independent, self-sufficient, to be able to stand and speak up for themselves and also go out and represent the women. Also to lean our voice to men, they should consider women.

In her speech Pastor, Naomi Ose added that women are unique beings, special creatures, women are wonderfully, beautifully put together by God.

The event feature panel discussion and the dignitaries at the events are Grace Ntekim, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Hon. Ada Charles, Pst. Naomi Ose, Barr. Mina-Atambi Obeten, Pst. Gedah Etefia, Hon. Mariah Akwaji, Amb. Samuel Ben, Amb. Joy Ben and Many others.