Eno-Obong Akpan: Former NBA Uyo Chairman honoured by Akwa Ibom State Government
Eno-Obong Akpan: Former NBA Uyo Chairman honoured by Akwa Ibom State Government
Barr Eno-Obong Akpan, however, calls for increased involvement of women in governance through Affirmative Action
The Akwa Ibom State Government has, as part of this year’s International Women’s Day celebration held at the Ibom Hall Grounds on March 8, 2021, honoured the first female chairman of the Uyo branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Eno-Obong Akpan, Esq.
Eno-Obong Akpan
The award, according to a statement by the Women Affairs and Social Welfare Commissioner, Dr Ini Adiakpan, was in recognition of the former chairman’s ‘distinguished performance in breaking barriers’.
Presenting the award to Eno-Obong Akpan and other awardees, wife of Akwa Ibom state governor, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel, commended the recipients for being worthy representatives of womanhood.
She stressed that as home makers, women are the torch-bearers of a more humane and progressive society.
He praised them for breaking all barriers in the attainment of excellence in the various fields they have been involved in and urged women in all areas of national development to continue to showcase the great potentialities in women.
Speaking to our correspondent after the recognition, Eno-Obong Akpan, Esq, said the award ‘came as a very pleasant surprise. I was thrilled, awed, and humbled. I return all the glory and praise to God and dedicate this Award to my fellow women who are leaders in their own right’.
Asked to comment on whether the Nigerian society has encouraged women to excel, Akpan said:
“Not really. Encouragement is extremely low. It’s really left for the women to push themselves forward and establish their own relevance.”
She however, urged governments at all levels to encourage more women in governance and other positions of responsibility through deliberate actions and programmes.
‘One of the ways is through affirmative action that will ensure that more opportunities are made available to women. For instance, the widening of employment opportunities would help women attain economic independence,’ she added.
While commending Akwa Ibom women for their industry and tenacity, Akpan called on them to, ‘ensure they perform outstandingly well anytime they assume leadership position. They must also ensure they are not the last to attain the height and should never shut the door against other women’.
