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NEWS EXTRA

NILOWV MARKS SILVER JUBILEE IN A GRAND STYLE

BY LEO EZEKIEL

The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has pleasantly and uncommonly marked her silver jubilee in a grand style at the Indoor Sports Complex, University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City, Edo State. Speaking to the participants the founder and president of NILOWU Rt. Hon. Dame Esther Uduchi pleasantly welcome all the participants from the 36 states and FCT.

 

Speaking further to the participants she states that the theme for the conference of their silver jubilee events is (full and equal participation of women in Public and leadership is a follow up of the campaign of the UN of the nation is to progress adding that there is need for gender main streaming in all facts of life because gender inequality is not a women’s issue but an economic one. She states that gender equality is essential for the general development of nation economy and development for communities and individuals.

 

Speaking further she says NILOWV believes that both men and women can all make positive contributions to national growth, irrespective of what they do individually or in governance, board rooms, public or private corporate offices adding that the story of gender inequality is very pathetic and does not make for the best economic and general development as she added again that its is sad that in spite of the numerous educated and experience women in Nigeria, many of whom have tried to contest election as there are only seven women in the senate with 109 members while there are only about 22 women in the house of Federal House of Representatives having about 360 members.

 

Speaking further she says that the same abysmal proportion holds sway in the state houses of assembly and Local Government Areas adding that the appointive projection in all the government are not better of. Speaking to the participants the former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development and First Vice President of NILOWV Iyom Josephine Anenih stated that they the member of NILOWV really got to celebrate their successes in the last 25 years of empowering fellow women in various areas of life adding that all the women should wake up from their cocoon and become relevant with the happenstance of the realities of the 21^st century political, economic and social applications as she narrated the roles Queen Idia and Emotan played in the lives of their people then in the 16^th century.

 

She says that all the participants should be up and doing in participating with the civic rights and responsibilities of them knowing what to do with their large numbers. Speaking to the participants the Hon. Minister of Women Affairs and Social Developments Mrs. Pauline Tallen who is pleasantly represented by a Director from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Developments Prince Ujama who gave long narrative, of the formidable works the Minister has carried out in Favour of Women where she analyzed all the statistics of activities done by Ministry in improving the life of women.

 

Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline Prof. Stephena Ighedosa, a professor of Epimilogy and public health response to climate change and she is also of the department of community health, university of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City adding that she is a proud foundation undergraduate of the Medical School many decades ago and as well as that she was the very first female Medical Doctor who graduated in the year 1976. Speaking further she states that NILOWV has come a long way with her trappings of activities she has done for women of the ages of 18 and above adding that NILOWV is purely founded to give women voice in the scheme of things in the body polity of the nation.

 

She says that’s NILOWV has been educating women on their civic rights and responsibilities of they women to know enormous power they have to change the narratives of not coming out to be registered as voters whenever the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) comes up with voters registration. She says that NILOWV is a body of women with all human trappings that accommodate all manner of women whether formally educated or not adding that many women in the rural areas regardless of not having formal education still affect their communities as she says that NILOWV has become a body that the UN has recognized for the heavy life changing projects she carry on. Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline the husband of Rt. Hon. Dame Uduehi, Rt. Hon. Chavierl Damien Uduehi states that he is not a politician, but, that, largely he has always supported his spouse in her political career adding that he has pragmatically offered uncommon assistance of finances to the worthy causes of NILOWV.

 

He says that NILOWV has greatly affected the lives of many women with various empowerment programmes of which many of the women have become employers of labour adding that he wishes NILOWV another remarkable, rewarding fruitful 25 years to come thereby bringing her life span to a golden jubilee. Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline the Delta State Chairperson of NILOWV Chief Mrs. Rosalyn Egborge states that this is a period of very great event that NILOWV is celebrating as she has always been sensitizing women for their civic rights, training and empowering them financially through finances generated among themselves adding that the 36 states governors have keyed into NILOWV programmes such as NDE Nigeria Directorate of Employment is involved, again the bank of industry is also actively involved in the empowerment of women for various businesses.

 

She says that NILOWV ha lots of leadership conferences adding that every woman from 18 and above are received as members when they apply and again she added that NILOWV is here to make difference as they all shall support any woman that comes out for election and women must come to register for vote and as well as vote for any woman contesting for elective position. She states that out of 25 LGAs in Delta State 19 women are the Vice Chairmen. Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline Hon. Princess Titilayo Owolabi Akerele a retired aviation consultant, one time a member of Ekiti State House of Assembly and presently an aspirant for gubernatorial slot come 2022 Ekiti governorship states that NILOWV has given voices to women in the last 25 years adding that it is the will power NILOWV to see that all women are positively given an enabling space to compete favourably with men, although she avers that power is not served alacart, that power must be effectively, efficiently, pragmatically and tenaciously fought for.

 

She stated that by the grace of God that she has all it takes to be next governor of Ekiti State having worked in the midst of men while she served as aviation consultant. Speaking further she says that NILOWV shall continue to train women to know their civic rights and responsibilities so as to make them understand the huge relevance they the women are within the body polity of the nation. Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline distinguished Senator Stella Omu, a former female Chief Whip at the NASS and as well as the retired deputy controller of Nigerian Correctional Centre states that NILOWV has done extremely well in the last 25 years adding that NILOWV is moving forward for the heavy advancement of the public good of the women.

 

Speaking further she says that in the past that women do like involving themselves in politics but, she concurs that through the heavy education and awareness and enlightenment programmes that NILOWV has carried on, has equally offered lots of women opportunities to wake up from their slumber and pragmatically brace up with the realities of life. Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline Mrs. Eunice Amhande Chairperson of Christian Women Organization (CWO) of the Catholic Archdiocese Benin, Benin City states that they came out in their large numbers and best of elements to honour Rt. Hon. Dame Uduehi and her husband Rt. Hon. Engr. Uduehi because they are uncommon people to them as members of CWO and also the Church.

 

She states that Rt. Hon. Dame Uduehi is a woman of substance and a very nice mother to them they the members of CWO as she added that the women of Catholic Archdiocese always join her in whatever celebrations she and her family celebrate because she is a mother to the core. Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline Momodu Abubakari who attended NILOWV silver jubilee in dual capacities, one he came in as an individual and also as a representative for Former Honourable Commissioner For Women Affairs and Social Developments Haija Maimuna Momodu, he states that NILOWV has positively done well in championing the causes of women nationwide.

 

 

Speaking further he says that NILOWV shall need to do more because lots of women out there have not been captured adding that women should show more love to themselves disregard their own with venom and again, he says that he would be extremely gladdened to see women clinching the positions of governors or deputy governors and even a shot at the presidency come 2023 general elections. Speaking with iconblazemagazinelone her Chief Chinwe Monu-Olarewaju, Omeogor of Ahaba Ex-National Secretary of NILOWV and president of all Nigerian Traders and Market Women Leader states that the last 25 years of NILOWU has been very eventful, remarkably and progressively adding that in the beginning, before the Beijing China Women Conference of 1996 that it was like men were cheating women or conversely the men never gave women space to showcase their God given skills and talents.

 

Speaking further she says that she uncommonly educated with about eight different degrees from world class Universities adding that women should know what they have in their heads, but, she sadly averred that most women do not know exactly what they want, because they are always telling men anything goes. She lamented that the men have refused to shift their beacon for women, although she said that power is not giving to anybody freely because power comes by doggedness. Speaking again, she says that NILOWV has produced women of timber and caliber as NILOWV is carrying all women along. She says that it is very shameful that most governors do appoint women into their cabinet adding that men should work together with women as a people for the development component of the nation and as she concurs that there is strength in adversity.

 

Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Ativa, former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and the Chairperson of Edo State Chapter of NILOWV stated that they have come a long way, what they have grown through thick and thin despite the ravages of covid-19 of 2020, they still shared various items to women in the three senatorial zones of Edo State. Speaking again, she says that NILOWV is all about educations women on their civic rights, responsibilities and above all to be confident of themselves at all times adding that they have visited media houses so as to let the entire world know of NILOWV. She says that NILOWV has done series of leadership training in many fora as they observe all international days of women, youths et’al.

 

Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of Federation Muslim Women, Edo State Chapter Haija Hawa Musa states that she likes the ways and manner the celebration of NILOWV silver jubilee has gathered all the women from the 36 states and FCT adding that men have ruled this country for a long time now and because they have failed all and sundry, that the women should rise up and work hard to clinch powers from men come 2023 general elections. She says that the time women lined up behind men is gone and that women should come in their large numbers to support fellow women whenever the need arises and again she says that she looks forward to seeing a woman president at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja very soon.

 

Speaking with iconblazemagazineonline Chief Executive Director of Dhisky’s Signature n’ more Ohimoba Kevin Ekpenkhio states that he is extremely gladdened to serve the NILOWV participants with Tea breakfast of special small chops, coffee, bournvita, milio, peak milk, lipton, green tea et’al. he says that his services are very much affordable and he is available to serve at any event and that his bills are okay. The students of the department of Theatre Arts wearing all black T.shirts and black pants entertained the audience with Jeruselama lock down music produced in South Africa and of a truth the entire hall rose up and danced with the performers.

 

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THE ESAMA OF THE GLOBE IGBENEDION HOSTS NILOWV WITH A DINNER  

The business mogul and uncommon breed of Royalty Sir Chief Dr. Gabriel Igbenedion, the Esama of the globe has pleasantly and unimaginably hosted the entire members of NILOWV at his round house in his palatial country home at Reservation Road, G.R.A, Benin City. The dinner started with various courses of ambience of drinks, wines, champman, small chops, water Eno louis on the floor entertaining the guests with eysteryears music like sweet mother celebration by kool and gang. Speaking to the guests the largehearted host Esama of the world graciously welcomed his guests to a night of wonders. He narrated to the audience that he has special respect for the founder and president of NILOWV Rt. Hon. Dame Uduehi because she has massively pushed the causes of the women to the international level as UN has given special recognition to NILOWV.

 

He told his guests that 2023 is very much around the corner and by so doing that they should all gather themselves so that they could produce Governors and all that when the 2023 general elections dawn. Hon. Agharese Idubor, Chief Consultant on Public Relations to Chief Esama of the Globe Igbenedion states that the round house has hosted Presidents, Governors, Ministers, various influential persons all around the globe. He kept reminding women not to forget what happened to Sarah Jubril who had only one vote during a primary election. He reminded the women that agenda 2003 should not be repeated again as agenda 2023 because women have learnt from their mistakes.

 

Speaking further he says that the women are the greatest enemies to themselves, but, he avers that as 2023 general elections are fastly drawing near that women should unite and come together as one big family adding that every business has modules and just as there is heat coming from kitchen so also there is heat in politics. He concurs that the women should be able to produce at least five governors from the 36 states of the federation to begin with so that come 2027 the stakes would increase to at least 20 women state governors. As the dinner rolls up the Inneh Theatre Troupe International founded by Sunny Obasuyi in the year 1991 entertained the audience with deep rooted cultural songs and dance that kept the God-father of Benin Kingdom thrilling all the way with pleasant joys. He says he was formerly of Edo Cultural group led by Chief S.O. Ogbodu.

 

Speaking with iconblazemagzineonline the director and founder of Inneh Theatre Troupe International Obasuyi states that the roads, have been very undulating with challenges, firstly he says that women are extremely difficult to control. That young people are no longer interested in becoming singers, dancers and performers. That getting sponsorship is nearly nil. That most cases they perform probono at events just to keep the body and soul flowing. He said that the God-father of Benin Kingdom the Esama of the globe has been a father to him in all ramifications and that when he turned 60 years old Sir Chief Dr. Igbenedion marked the birthday for probono. He prayed for Chief for good health and aging gracefully in the lord.

 

The turning point of the dinner is when Chief himself stood up and took the floor and he graciously danced the stepping of 1950’s. He graciously gave all the women the basket of his 87^th birthday celebration with love and all that. There are two serving points and it is a buffet for all and sundry.