By DADA AYOKHAI
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Edo State in collaboration with other professional women group in the state on Thursday, organised a one day seminar to commemorates this year’s International Women’s Day.
The theme of this year event is Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment.
The epoch event which attracted professional women groups across the state was held at The John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, JOOPSA.
The various professional women in attendance major objectives is the continuation of the advocacy for more women inclusion and recognition in Governance and the society at large.
The chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Edo State , Comrade Adesuwa Ehimuan who also doubles as the convener of the Professional woman group, a coalition of professional women in Edo state, in her opening speech advised that women be adequately empowered and also endeavor to have a means of livelihood.
Comrade Ehimuan further said as a professional” it is ideal that you try and have stream of income because definitely no matter how active you are it gets to point that you have to take your bow out of service, so after that time out what do you do. So we are encouraging women to try as much as possible to have other means of livelihood and participate actively in politics.”
The Edo State first lady,Mrs Betsy Obaseki represented by Mrs Efosa Uyigue, the Vice-chairman of Ovia North East Local Government appealed to government at various levels to make available, easy loans to women so as to able to support their businesses and also encouraged them to take up leadership positions.
“It is a good initiative that this seminar is holding today we should continue to have events like this and we should continue to preach women inclusion. Even one of our songs writers Osayomore Joseph said give women a chance.”
Guest Speaker at the event, Mr. Efosa Eghobamien, highlighted various steps needed so as to face the challenges of life after retirement .
The guest speaker emphasized the way of adjusting to a new life and the need not to wait to retire before engaging in other jobs or means of livelihood.
According to her, “if we are not doing anything we must prepare for the retirement of the reality check list of the inadequacies then we also know who are you friends. Just ensure you are constantly upgrading yourself”.
In a Keynote address delivered by Professor Evelyn Uwa Edosomwan of the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, itemized various ways to empower women in the society which Countries are beginning to recognized .
” a sustainable economic growth does not take place without the involvement of the women in the nation hence are putting greater emphasis in the inclusion of women in all areas of national development.
Goodwill messages were received from the Edo state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Hon.Monday Osaigbovo represented by Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mrs Uyigue, Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Honourable Mrs. Christabel Omoh-Ekwu was represented by permanent secretary Mrs Irenosen Ihensekhien amongst others.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to five illustrious sons and daughters of Edo by the coalition of Professional Women Group who have contributed selflessly to humanity which includes the Secretary to the Edo State government, Barrister Osarodion Ogie Esq and Dr. Mrs Nosa Aladesule, Dr. Adesuwa Urhoghide -Edigin, Rev. Fr. (Dr) Fidelis Arhedo, Dr Petronilla Akpan.
The coalition of Professional woman group comprises Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ Edo State, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN, The League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Edo State, Rattawu Women Committee, Edo State Council, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, Benin Chapter, Society of Women Account Edo state, FIDA Edo State, Standup for Women Society SWS Edo State, amongst others.
