The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to empowering Nigerian women through initiatives that promote access to opportunities, skills, finance and social support, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Senator Tinubu made the assertion during the launch of the Cross River State Market Women Forum for Greatness and a mega rally endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Bassey Edet Otu for a second term in office. She was represented at the event by the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu.
According to the First Lady, women remain central to economic growth and community development, stressing that empowering them translates into stronger families and more resilient societies.
“When women are supported to succeed in business, families are strengthened, communities become more resilient and the foundations of sustainable development are reinforced,” she stated.
She described the Cross River State Market Women Forum for Greatness as a laudable initiative that recognizes and empowers hardworking women whose daily enterprise sustains families, communities and the nation’s economy. She commended Bishop Eyoanwan Otu for creating a platform aimed at advancing the welfare and prosperity of market women across Cross River State and beyond.
Senator Tinubu noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu places strong emphasis on economic inclusion, particularly for women, whom she described as critical drivers of grassroots development. She added that the vision aligns with the People First agenda of Governor Bassey Otu and praised the forum for uniting market women under a common vision of progress, cooperation and empowerment.
“As this forum is formally inaugurated today, I urge all members to embrace unity, diligence and integrity in pursuit of their collective aspirations. We jointly reiterate our total support as we endorse the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Bassey Edet Otu in continuation of their great works for our nation and state,” she said.
In her welcome address, the Founder of the Cross River State Market Women Forum for Greatness and Wife of the Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, said the initiative underscores her commitment to the economic empowerment of women who form the bedrock of societal development. Represented by the Wife of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mrs. Nelly Ayambem, she described the forum as a movement of hope, unity and prosperity.
“This forum is designed to foster an enabling environment for women to grow their businesses, support their families and contribute meaningfully to the development of society,” Bishop Otu stated.
In their goodwill messages, the State Coordinator of Relax Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria, Engr. Anjor Obande, and the Director-General of Team Mma Adiaha Solidarity Movement, Archbishop Margaret Ene-Ita, applauded the Governor’s wife for her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of women. They noted that her interventions have positively impacted thousands of women across Cross River State and beyond.
Providing an overview of the forum, its Coordinator, Hon. Eta Lawrence, disclosed that the initiative, conceived by Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, has grown into a national project. He revealed that what began with a football competition has evolved into a formidable movement with more than 59,000 registered market women across the state.
According to him, the forum is designed to promote inclusivity and grassroots participation, values that have become hallmarks of the current administration in Cross River State.
The highpoint of the event was the formal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Bassey Edet Otu for a second term in office. The occasion also featured the presentation of cash gifts to support the businesses of market women, distribution of food items and wrappers, as well as a colourful march-past by women representing various markets and Local Government Areas across the state.
By Esther Okoi
