A Confluence of Passion and Partnership

A Confluence of Passion and Partnership

By Emem Nkereuwem

Women make up about 49.43% of the population in Nigeria. In numbers this could be translated into about 115. 01 million. Whilst most are adding value to their society through different ways, most are still hanging on the delicate balance of an uncertain financial future.

A report by Vanguard Newspaper 16/1/2024 by Ebunoluwa Sessou indicated that about 10.5 million children are out of school with about 60 per cent as girls. These numbing statistics are enough to call for action across all strata of government. Whilst there has been several types of interventions to mitigate these dire trends across board, more still needed to be done to accommodate young girls and women.

Perhaps it was this sort data that became the tool for a broader scope of intervention. And strategic templates were put in place to build capacity, inspire and renew hopes for women and girls in Nigeria. As the Chairman of Gender Education, Engagement, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Program (G4EP) Hon. Dr. Judith Mayen Etuk Ogbara opined, “women and girls are the anchors of our nation. They are the spine and souls of our social fabric. Without the spine all creation with anatomical structures would be susceptible to collapse.” And it was on this account that she traversed key Ministries within Akwa Ibom State to officially seek their collaboration to empower our women and girls.

Whilst she has been consulting women leaders across and beyond Eket Federal Constituency, she set forth to the Ministries of Women Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, and other related government officials on the crusade for partnership for renewed hope for women and girls. Her passion caught the interest of all she met. The collective discourse to encourage Nigerian women and girls to achieve their maximum economic potential in all areas of human endeavour was palpable. It is what they had been waiting for. The G4EP.

The G4EP cuts across five (5) key areas such as digital skills, essential entrepreneurial and economic development programs, school protection initiative and women health protection bills. All these are uniquely intertwined as an efficient one-stop shop for women and girls. And in her journey to spread the good news across Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Dr Judith Mayen Etuk Ogbara has traversed Ministries, communities and consulted key stakeholders including women groups for collaboration.

At the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs, the Commissioner Rt. Hon. Inibehe Etukudo applauded the Chairman of G4EP and assured her of the Ministry’s preparedness for collaboration. The same impressive response was expressed by the Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs Hon. Emem Ibanga who was represented by her Permanent Secretary Mrs Eno Ime Akpan FCA.

It is apparent that Hon. Dr. Judith Mayen Etuk Ogbara’s persistent push for supporting the underserved women and girls with the goal of empowering them with both mental and economic power aptly aligns with the thoughts of Mahatma Ghandi who said, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Indeed, this aptly defines her persona. Hon. Dr Judith is immersed in serving and rescuing those in the shadows of need. She illuminates light to diffuse the damning and haunting shadows of unrealised hopes and dreams.

A young man whom I met awhile back told me his encounter with Hon. Dr.Judith Mayen Etuk Ogbara. He was in his final phase of his university education when things turned south. He reached out to her and she graciously paid his fees and other welfare needs till the completion of his National Youth Service Corp. That is humanity that creates beautiful and bountiful ripple effects beyond the walls of our hearts.

Again she is giving out some more Back-Schools Bags to pupils and students within Eket Federal Constituency. Her candid and quiet stride in the communities she sets feet on creates impressive and impactful ripple effects. She is not only building the capacity of people who cross her path, but she is laying an enduring foundation for the future of women and the girl child in Nigeria. Hon. Dr. Judith Mayen Etuk Ogbara can aptly be described as “the Sun that Renews the Hope of those in the uncertain darkling night.”