By Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The National President, Southern Women Empowerment Forum(SWEF),Dr.Helen Adebakin, at the weekend revealed that the major objective of forming the organization is to leverage Nigerian women to live up to the challenge of contributing effectively to nation building.
Dr Adebakin gave this hints on Saturday at the official inauguration of the state executives and local government coordinators of the Enugu state chapter of the organisation, which held at Enugu state council of Nigeria Union Journalists(NUJ).
She commended the present administration in the country led by President Bola Tinubu, for accommodating more women in his cabinet and urged the women to act as instruments of uplifting of other women.
She stated, “Don’t ever look down on yourselves. You should know that you are instruments of upliftment to other women. This is a platform for women to shine. What belongs to us will be given to us. This is the time”.
She revealed that a provision for Nigerian women to occupy 74 electoral seats in the National Assembly, starting from next general election, have been secured. She urged Nigerian women to work hard so they can overcome the challenges.
Dr Adebakim also expressed gratitude to the Enugu state governor, Dr Peter Mbah and his wife, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, for facilitating the inauguration of the Enugu state chapter of SWEF.
According to her, the South South chapter of the organisation will hold in the month of September at Warri while the South West chapter will hold in October.
The Enugu state first lady, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, who was represented by Dr Uzoamaka Okenwa Uzoechina, mentioned that Enugu state under Governor Mbah’s administration has been upbeat in the affairs of women in the state, as the first lady through her pet project volunteered to cater for over 700 vulnerable pregnant women in the state till birth, among other projects for the orphans, the less priviledged through her foundation.
She gave assurance that the state government will partner with the organisation in her programmes designed for the upliftment of women in the state.
The event also featured the empowerment of twelve rural women with an undisclosed sum of money to start their own business. There were lecture series on how the women can engage themselves on mini trades and skills that will enhance their sources of income, so as to contribute meaningfully in the upkeep of their families.
The Enugu state first lady, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah and the Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, were accorded the posts of grand patron of Enugu State Chapter of Southern Women Empowerment Forum(SWEF), as part of activities that marked the inauguration.
