By: Ike Philip Abiagom & Benson Nwoko
The Delta State APC Woman Leader, Hon.(Mrs)Tina Okwudili has demonstrated exceptional leadership since she assumed office, in her quest to engender women’s visibility and inclusivity in governance, business and politics, which constituted her “tripartite approach” in line with the 35% affirmative action for women’s visibility, activism and inclusion in all governance processes. Under her leadership, the first ever Delta State APC women Empowerment Summit 2024 took place yesterday in collaboration with Executive Director, Business Development of the Nigerian Export -Import Bank (NEXIM), Hon Stella Okotete.
Delta State APC woman leader was excited as Okotete empowered over 2000 women from the twenty five local Government Area in Delta State. The Conference which climaxed in a resounding success introduced transformative initiatives and projects for the Progressive Women in Delta State.
Okwudili said the summit themed ‘Empowered To Serve’ had over 2000 women in attendance from all the twenty five local governments areas in the state, with 500 traders from other political parties decamping to the APC.
Earlier, Hon Okotete extolled the virtues of the women who stood by the party during the last election which led to the emergence of two senators, House of Representative members and 7 House of Assembly members.
She said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda holds hope and prosperous future for all.party faithful, adding that the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has also assured that she would visit them in no distant future.
The event also witnessed empowerments for women who have been loyal and faithful to the party at all levels. Mrs Ejieh Helen, who is from Delta North; Mrs Rita Ogagarojor, Delta South; and Mrs Queen Ogedengbe, Delta Central; all got the sum of one million naira each, while Mrs Roseline Akamakowe, Endurance Akoka, Edewor Rose, Lizzy Unurhoro and Mercy Ochei got N500,000 each.
Other categories of beneficiaries got N250,000, N150,000, N100,000 and N50,000 respectively.
The Delta State APC Woman leader,Hon.(Mrs)Tina Okwudili said the gesture was aimed at empowering women which included widows, divorcees, orphans and other related vulnerable groups with a view of expanding their economic horizon by making them engage in productive ventures.She said the scope of the programme would be expanded in due course to reach others in Delta State, stressing that though the amount was meager but it would impact positively on the beneficiaries.
She called on the beneficiaries to use the money to run small scale businesses that would complement their other sources of income and make them less dependent on their husbands and relations.
The special guest at the event was the the National Woman Leader of (APC), Dr Mary Alile Idele, who described the Executive Director, Business Development of the Nigerian Export -Import Bank (NEXIM), Hon Stella Okotete, as a consistent, loyal and steadfast leader of the party whom she was so proud of.
In her address, Idele stated that the summit was more than just an event; but a call to action—a reminder of the immense potential that resides within every woman. The woman leader used the occasion to commend the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state Woman Leader, Hon.(Mrs)Tina Okwudili and the foremost Leader, Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director ,Business Development, EXIM Bank who is the convener of this first Delta State APC Women Empowerment Summit 2024 for their positive initiatives by introducing numerous economic empowerment programmes for the people. She assured that such empowerment programmes would reduce poverty, crimes, indolence and laxity in the society, stressing the APC administration would continue to empower Nigerians in order to be productive and achieve self sustainability.
She described the empowerment as unprecedented, according to her no state has ever contemplated doing such beautiful empowerment programme. She therefore called on political appointees and those holding elective positions to emulate Hon. Stella Okotete by initiating similar programmes with a view to empowering Nigerians to be creative and productive.
The APC State Chairman Elder Omeni Sobotie, who was represented by his wife, Mrs Ify Sobotie also acknowledged the profound impact of Okotete whom he referred to as the Lioness of the Niger Delta.
Members of the State House of Assembly also took their turns to shower encomium on Okotete for demonstrating leadership and flying the flag of the party higher with her welfare programmes for the people.
The members of the assembly present were, Hon Dafe Emakpor, who is the Minority Leader , Hon Ebitonmo Anthony Alapala, Hon Benson Obire, Hon Spencer Obokpare Ohwofa, Hon Matthew Omonade, Hon Blessing Achoja and Hon Obie Egbetamah among others.
The Women Leader from Edo State, Lady Betty Okoebor Benson, asked the women to consider themselves lucky for having a women like H Okotete,and their state women leader Hon. Tina Okwudili. She tasked them to brace up and win the state for APC in 2027.
Mrs Ejieh Helen, one of the beneficiaries of one Million naira, commended the initiative of Hon. Stella Okotete and also thank their state Woman leader Hon(Mrs) Tina Okwudili. She assured them that they would make judicious utilisation of the fund by engaging in productive activities.
