It was an atmosphere of joy as about five hundred (500) Cross River women have benefited from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) program of the Office of the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, in Calabar.
The flag off and empowerment exercise held at Calabar International Conference Center (CICC), the state capital on Saturday, 26 April 2025, with beneficiaries drown from the 18 local government areas of the state in attendance.
Addressing beneficiaries shortly after accreditation, The Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu represented by the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Her Excellency Rev. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu.
The governor’s wife presenting the items, said, “the items distributed were aimed at equipping the women with necessary tools and resources to integrate their various businesses and contribute to the prosperity of the nation. The empowerment aligns with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu which emphasizes inclusivity, economy growth and sustainable development for all Nigerians with a particular focus on empowering women economically.”
While discouraging beneficiaries from selling items received, she said ” the security personnel's are on a lookout to arrest anyone who sells the item,” she said, disclosing that the exercise is carried out simultaneously in all the six states in the South-South geo-political zone exception of River State that had being rescheduled for 2nd May 2025.
Speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, averred that the initiative marks another timely stripe of economic empowerment that is set to unlock potentials, foster economy development and financial stability for women, families and communities.
She explained that the empowerment tackles SDG top issues such as poverty, gender equality, economy growth, inequality, peace and justice. “When a woman is empowered, a home is build. Let this empowerment be utilized as a stepping stone into financial stabilities.”
On her part, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, expressed gratitude to the First Lady saying “the women are particularly grateful to the first lady of the federation for the empowerment. This will go along way to tackle hunger and poverty, empower women and boost agricultural development.
She however encouraged women to maximize items for the purpose they are given.
Other dignitaries who gave pep talks include the wife of the Chief of Staff to Governor Bassey Otu – Mrs. Regina Ironbar. She lauded the impact and benefit of the initiative in the lives of Cross River women and the state at large.
Items distributed to beneficiaries include the one hundred (100) generators set, one hundred (100) grinding machines, one hundred and fifty (150) refrigerators, and one hundred and fifty (150) massive gas cooker with oven.
Some of the beneficiaries – Mrs. Priscilla Egbe, Mrs. Angelica Bassey and Mrs. Alice Akpana who spoke to CrossRiverWatch expressed joy and satisfaction over the initiative.
They describes the empowerment as a show of love by the First Lady and an indication of a government that has the women at heart, assuring that the items would be used accordingly.
In attendance were, the wife of the Speaker Cross River State House of Assembly, Commissioners, Special Advisers, wives of the 18 local Government Chairmen, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies and among others.
Kelvin Ololo, Cross River Watch
