By: Ukongikwen Adie, Calabar
The Deputy governor of Cross River state, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey has lauded initiator and members of the Egbe Women in Diaspora (EWID) for their immense contributions towards the education of the girl child in their community.
He stated this when he received the members and the initiator of the Egbe Women in Diaspora in his office.
Odey thanked them for their immense contributions to children and girls of Egbe Mbube, “noting that government alone cannot do it all, but their contributions will help move their communities and Mbube nation forward”.
Speaking earlier, the initiator and leader of the association, Mrs Anthonia Okem, said “it is our belief that His Excellency the governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu and you as his able deputy will make a difference in the lives of citizens and the state as a whole; building on the people-first mantra”.
She listed several interventions since the inception of the association such as payment of tuition for about 77 pupils, distribution of writing materials, school uniforms and empowerment for girls who have graduated from their skills acquisition training with sewing machines and accessories.
“It is our wish that in the next 15 years, education will be a thing of pride in Mbube nation.”
While briefing the Deputy governor on their next intervention activities, the Egbe Women seized the opportunity to announce his nomination and installation as Patron of the association.
The association has Evang. Queen Esther Okem, as auditor and Prof. Mary Mgbekem as member.
High point of the visit was a symbolic handing over of a certificate of registration and a uniform to Rt. Hon. Odey as their Patron.
The Egbe Women in Diaspora is a registered non-governmental association of women of Egbe origin by birth or marriage whose primary focus is to ensure that the girl child in particular and other children of school age in Egbe Mbube do not miss out of education due to financial lack or sponsorship.
