C’River: Gov  Otu Assures Women Of Equity In Appointments

Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, has assured women in the state that he will not only ensure fairness and equity in his appointments but strive in ensuring that women and children take vintage position during the life span of his administration.

The Governor disclosed this in Calabar, when a Socio-Political Organization, Team Mma-Adiaha, hosted him and his wife Rev. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Otu to a post election grand reception.

 

According to Otu who was very enthusiastic by the massive support ushered by the women said, “I know that as we have started here, the sky is not even going to be the limit. Don’t be despair. They talk about 50%, we don’t know how it will be, but I can assure you it might be more than that.

 

“Men don’t worry, there come a time in a generation where the majority do carry the day, I believe that on this particular movement, women have shown  their strength and in order to recognize, strengthen and encourage them we must appreciate this level of hard work which they have put in handsomely.

“Rest assured that there will be more than enough for everybody, all we are begging at the moment is please, exercise some little patience.

 

“You recall even the last administration when they started, it took them about six months to find their feet and be able to engage people.

“I want to appeal to you to please allow us a little time. I’m not sure it might get up to six months, but before it gets up to that, we will break the ice and what we are going to do for women and children will be humongous, the governor remarked.

 

Continuing, he said, “People are talking about employments, appointments and so on but I assure you that there’s going to be something magical which I am unveiling that will transform the socio-economic status of our people soon.”

 

Moved by the prominent role played by the women during election, the Governor further announced, “Ladies and gentlemen these are the ladies who took the election to the next level in Cross River State. We have here women who displayed uncommon bravery and it was through their catalytic demonstration that made us be where we are today.

 

“I still remember our movement when sometimes cars breakdown on the road, at times when we get to hotels there were not enough room for everybody. I remember even when somewhere stampeded, I remember when there was no food to eat at all, but I want to thank you so much because, I believe that this is the first time women have shown such energy in our election, and it’s not surprising because this is the first time we have Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in display and it is very clear that without women you cannot win BVAS.

 

“Permit me on an evening like this not to forget our very digital immediate past Governor Prof Ben Ayade. He has been a very wonderful man and with his firmness, commitment and personal interest in our state, has made us to stay in this hall today to celebrate me as your governor.

 

To Dame Florence Ita-Giwa, Otu said, “I sincerely thank my sweet mummy, the type of energy she showed is something that cannot be quantified and I want all of you to emulate this amiable woman when it comes to politicking.

 

“She can enter anywhere and if at this age she can still do it, then what of the other agile strong energetic women that we have, my sweetest mummy, we will not disappoint you. I use this opportunity to also thank my very beautiful wife. She has been very wonderful. Those periods it wasn’t easy, I’m not sure we do sleep up to two hours in a day because there will always be issues and there will always be engagements but the almighty God saw us through.

 

Wife of the Governor, Rev (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, who was visibly excited by the women group for hosting them praised Cross River women for the honour done them and promised to ensure that the women have fair representation in the administration.

The Governor’s wife who electrified the hall with so many chants like, “no woman , no election”, “No woman, no vote,” praised the women for the unprecedented support she and her husband enjoyed before, during and after the election, praying God to reward them abundantly.

 

 

Turning to her husband she said, “Your Excellency, the women said you promised them 50 percent inclusion in your administration, you know I will not allow you to rest till you fulfil that to us. I know you are a good man, kind hearted, with beautiful soul and you always honour your words and I am confident that you will keep to your promise and do even more for our women because a deal is a deal.

 

 

Coordinator of the Social -Political Group, Mrs Uduak Ofem, disclosed that the group berthed over a year ago to mobilize women across the 18 local government areas to support the then ambition of Sen. Otu even as she expressed  excitement that their dream came true.

 

 

Ofem who listed some of the challenges the group encountered in trying to convince women who  hitherto were in opposition parties to support their course from voters’ registration sensitization exercise to actual voting thanked them for the overwhelming success recorded at the polls which culminated in the swearing in and subsequent assumption of office of the present governor.

Assuring the women that their expectation will not be cut off, the Coordinator appealed to the governor to carry the women along in his scheme of things especially as he resume appointments.

 

In his good will message, representation of Academia for Good Governance, Prof. Linus Okom, stressed the pivotal role of women in the development of society.

 

He waslauded the pragmatism of Team Mma-Adiaha in mobilizing the women of Cross River to vote for Otu and wished them well in their outing.

 

Dr Stella Arome-Ekpo who spoke on behalf of former appointees, thanked the Governor’s wife for creating such a veritable platform for women to thrive, describing Otu as a gender friendly Governor, admitting that their interests will be protected.