By Elijah Ugani
The Vice Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Area, Hon Glory Awowo, has declared the controversy surrounding the Sankwala Market Women Forum resolved, urging residents to put the matter behind them and embrace unity.
In a public statement, the Vice Chairman addressed concerns and criticisms that emerged following an event involving market women from Obanliku in Calabar. She clarified her role in the exercise, stating that she was neither the Market Women Coordinator nor responsible for compiling the list of women who participated in the trip.
According to her, the coordinator merely informed her about the event, and since she was already in Calabar at the time, she attended and interacted with the women present.
The Vice Chairman explained that her previous statement on the issue was intended to clear misconceptions and distance herself from allegations that female politicians and civil servants had deprived some women of their benefits.
“I only played a supportive and coordinating role for our women who came from different villages,” she stated, emphasizing that many of the participants were people she had never met before.
She acknowledged that there were lapses in communication and coordination during the process, noting that these shortcomings had already been recognized and addressed. She assured stakeholders that future activities would be handled with greater inclusiveness and broader consultation among members of the forum.
As part of efforts to restore confidence and strengthen relationships within the group, the Vice Chairman said plans were underway to hold a physical meeting with members of the market women forum to discuss concerns and promote unity.
She also revealed that she addressed the issue directly with the women in Calabar following the event, including discussions with the Sankwala Market Women leader, who had expressed concerns about not being formally acknowledged as the leader of the Market Women Forum for Greatness.
The Vice Chairman maintained that individuals who carefully read her earlier explanation understood her position, while others chose to interpret it differently.
Declaring the matter settled, she called on residents of Obanliku to move forward in the spirit of togetherness.
“The issue has been thoroughly dealt with, resolved and laid to rest, so let’s move on as one big family,” she said.
The statement is expected to ease tensions surrounding the controversy and reinforce efforts aimed at maintaining unity among women groups and stakeholders in the local government area.