…Women are Special Breeds
FIC Report (Abia State) – Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has extolled the leadership of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Association Of Women Journalist (NAWOJ) assuring of his administration’s partnership and support in the projects of the Association.
Governor Ikpeazu stated this when he received in audience, the Executive Members of NAWOJ led by Comrade Josephine Ogwo, at the Government lodge, Aba.
Governor described Women as very special people who have the capacity to make a difference wherever they are found.
The Abia first citizen who maintained that the State has always given Women priority attention especially in the fight against Gender Based Violence, GBV, said the signing of the Inheritance Bill by the State House of Assembly is another pointer that women are taken seriously in the state.
The Governor noted that his administration has continued to place issues concerning the protection of Women’s right on the front burner with Gender Friendly Legislation including the proposed Abia State Female Persons Right of Inheritance of Properties; a law that provides the right for female persons to own and inherit properties.
He said: “Speaking to issues around women, this government is ahead of many other states when it comes to gender friendly laws.
“All the Charter and Acts we are supposed to sign to protect the Girl child and Women generally such as the Gender Based Violence against Women have continued to receive our government’s attention.
“You are aware already that Abia has ensured through our legislature and laws that Women in Abia have a right to inheritance. These are things that can change the narratives because once there’s a law, there is something to implement and enforce. We have taken intentional steps to ensure that we include the Women folks in all that we do.
“I am happy that you people are together.
I want to thank you and assure that i would do everything to support you”.
Governor Ikpeazu further noted that the present administration in its avowed commitment to give the rural populace quality healthcare services will establish Medical Laboratories at the Primary Healthcare Centers in all parts of the State.
Ikpeazu while explaining that the move would reduce infant and maternal mortality rate in the state, also disclosed that the process has taken off with Nkwoegwu Umuahia Primary Healthcare Center adding that four others will soon take off.
According to the Governor, his administration has already procured three Mobile Clinics equipped with Theater, Maternity and Laboratories among others, while medical Professionals would be attached to ensure quality and timely healthcare delivery to the rural populace in addition to ensuring the reduction in infant and maternity mortality rate.
Governor Ikpeazu who used the opportunity to explain his administrations intervention in road construction across the state note that the move has changed the narrative especially in the area of trade and commerce resulting to Abia being the least poverty state by the ranking of the National Bureau of Statistics adding that the State has continued to make progress from where it was in 2015.
“We have been able to do a few things which I would sincerely want us to remember.
One is that if you remember how Aba road in Umuahia used to be, the road was beyond fixing and today it is no longer the same. The same thing with Aba Owerri Road, Osusu and Omuma and in Aba we have to deploy rigid pavement technology and most of the roads we built in Ukaegbu, Umuola and others and these things have helped towards the facilitation of Trade and Commerce and this had put Abia on the 3rd ranking across Nigeria”, he said.
Speaking earlier, the Abia State Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Josephine Ogwo said that they came to present the New Executive Members of the Association to the Governor as well as inform him of their activities.
Comrade Ogwo while commending Governor Ikpeazu for making the inclusion of Women top agenda with appointments of Women into positions of trust also lauded him for infrastructural developments embarked across the State by the present administration.
She said that the campaign and promotion of Made in Aba goods by Governor Ikpeazu has helped the entrepreneurial ingenuity of the Artisans and prayed that God will give him victory in his Senatorial ambition.
Ogwo, appealed for a Vehicle to enable the Association embark on Voter Education in the 17 LGAs of the State, a piece of Land for the building of their Secretariat and financial support among others.
In a Vote of thanks, the Pioneer Chairperson of the Association, Mrs Nwaka Amauwa, appreciated Governor Ikpeazu for the warm reception and assured that NAWOJ would partner the State government to make Abia great.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Okey Ahiwe was among Government Officials who witnessed the event.
