By Paulinus NTA+
Wife of the Chairman of Ikot Abasi local Government area, Dr. Mrs. Idara Ime Essien, has appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government to execute projects that will honor the memory, and immortalize the souls of Ikot Abasi women, who lost their lives in the 1929 women war, that erupted in Opobo, now Ikot Abasi.
Dr. Essien, who made the call during the 96th commemoration of the women war, said
” these women had no political offices, and wielded no formal authority, yet they possessed the highest form of excellence, moral courage, collective resolve and unbreakable commitment to truth.
They were united in purpose; they confronted oppression and redefined the place of women in governance and society.
Their unity became their strength and their excellence, their weapon”
She charged Ikot Abasi and Akwa Ibom women to be inspired by the boldness, unity and fearlessness of the dead heroins and unlock the potentials of women in the societies.
She used the medium to remind Ikot Abasi women and men, who were screened in the just concluded breast, cervical and prostrate tests, which she, in collaboration with her husband, the executive Chairman, facilitated, that the results are ready, awaiting postings and follow up for those, found positive.
According to her, those found positive will be enlisted into the HENSEK and Hon. Uduak Odudoh free health outreach for treatment next year.
Also speaking, wife of the Managing Director of HENSEK Integrated Engineering Services, Mrs. Nyakno Uwem Okoko encouraged Ikot Abasi women to reactivate the strength and courage of the dead heroins and take their destiny by their hands, as well as contribute their quota to the development of Ikot Abasi and the larger Akwa Ibom.
Also Speaking, Chairman of Ikot Abasi local government area, Hon. Ime Williamson Essien, represented by his Vice, Hon. Naomi Etukete, while urging Ikot Abasi women to rise to the challenge of self actualization, poured encomiums and lavished praises on the coordinator of the office of the First lady of the state, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki for empowering grassroots women in line with the ARISE agenda of the State Governor, Past. Umo Eno, assuring that the present government will remain committed to the realization of the ARISE agenda.
Impressed and encouraged, the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakanyi, who represented the Governor, promised to pass the appeal to her boss, positive response, provided it will benefit and creat value to the generality of the women and by extension, Akwa Ibom State.
”I’m impressed by what I’ve seen and touched by what I’ve heard today. I’m sure the governor will answer your requests. I solicit your continued support, particularly the return of President Tinubu, Senator Godswill and Governor Umo Eno for Second term in 2027”
The event attracted a mammoth crowd, and climaxed with a thought provoking drama of how 31 women were shot by blood -thirsty and trigger- happy colonial soldiers, and melted at the laying of wreaths on the tombs of the fallen heroins beside the bridge of no return.