The former Governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement David Ebri, has asserted that women have so much to offer toward the development of society, as they are highly cerebral, competent, and reliable.
Chief Ebri made the assertion during a courtesy visit by the Cross River State Women Lobby Group to his residence in Calabar.
Reminiscing on the good old days during his tenure as governor, with Her Excellency the late Mrs. Cecilia Ekpenyong as his deputy, and other prominent women like Dr. Mrs. Obal Otu and Mrs. Rosemary Obanya in his cabinet, Ebri noted that administration was smooth and seamless. He said he could delegate responsibilities to any of these women and be rest assured that they would deliver beyond expectations.
The former Governor maintained that he has worked with women and knows they have a lot to offer toward the growth and development of society.
As a member of the 1999 Constitutional Review Committee, Chief Clement Ebri has recommended that women, as well as persons with disabilities, should be given equal opportunity to serve the nation.
Ebri, however, advised that institutional frameworks should be put in place to enhance women’s empowerment and inclusion in governance. On that note, he assured the women of his full support and also gave them his fatherly blessings.
Earlier in her remarks, the Team Lead of the Cross River State Women Lobby Group and Commissioner of the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, commended Chief Ebri for having a gender-friendly State Executive Council during his tenure.
She noted that 33 years ago, Cross River State had a female deputy governor in the person of the late Mrs. Cecilia Ekpenyong, but since then, the state has not been able to produce another female deputy governor.
Hon. Irom also stated that years ago, Cross River State had women like Dr. Mrs. Rose Oko, Distinguished Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, and Dr. Mrs. Stella Attoe in the red and green chambers, but presently, there is no woman representing Cross River State at the National Assembly. She added that even in the State House of Assembly, there is only one female legislator against 24 men.
Hon. Irom maintained that the purpose of the visit was to solicit His Excellency’s support toward changing the narrative to enhance women’s inclusion in governance.
In a vote of thanks, the only female legislator in the Cross River State House of Assembly and member representing Yakurr II State Constituency, Hon. Dr. Mercy Akpama, appreciated Chief Clement Ebri for the audience granted to the women and for his continuous support toward the cause of women.
Hon. Akpama informed the women that Chief Ebri was instrumental to her being in the State House of Assembly today. On that note, she appreciated him for always being there for the women and for tolerating their excesses.
Rekpene Uket
