The Lumine News

Tag: #Glory Awowo

  • Obanliku Vice Chairman Declares Sankwala Market Women Dispute Resolved, Calls for Unity

    Obanliku Vice Chairman Declares Sankwala Market Women Dispute Resolved, Calls for Unity

    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.

  • Obanliku Vice Chairman Dismisses Allegations of Irregularities in Market Women Empowerment Programme

    Obanliku Vice Chairman Dismisses Allegations of Irregularities in Market Women Empowerment Programme

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The Vice Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Council, Hon. Glory Awowoh, has dismissed allegations made by a group of Sankwala market women who claimed they were shortchanged during the recent empowerment programme organized for market women by the First Lady of Cross River State, Bishop Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu.

    Responding to the claims, Hon. Awowoh described the allegations as false and misleading, clarifying that the situation arose from misinformation regarding participation in the programme.

    According to her, the empowerment exercise was designed to accommodate only 50 market women from each Local Government Area. However, more than 120 women from Obanliku, including some residents of Calabar, travelled to the venue expecting to participate in the programme.

    She explained that upon realizing that some attendees would not benefit due to the limited allocation, organizers intervened and appealed to beneficiaries to voluntarily share their empowerment items and funds with those who were initially left out.

    “The beneficiaries agreed without hesitation, and as a result, those who initially missed out were also supported. The exercise was concluded peacefully,” she stated.

    Addressing allegations that female politicians and civil servants benefited at the expense of genuine market women, the Vice Chairman described the claims as surprising. She noted that the event was hosted by the First Lady of the state and that the presence of female political leaders was necessary to support the programme, coordinate participants from various LGAs, and ensure its smooth execution.

    Hon. Awowoh stressed that no female political leader from Obanliku received empowerment benefits during the event, insisting that their role was purely supportive and administrative.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, no female political leader from Obanliku was empowered at the programme. Our role was to ensure that our women received their benefits and that the event ended successfully,” she said.

    She also reaffirmed the role of Mrs. Angelina Abaka, coordinator of the Market Women Forum for Greatness in Obanliku, noting that she was duly appointed by the state coordinator and has successfully mobilized women for several programmes organized by the First Lady in Ogoja, Ikom, and Calabar over the past year.

    The Vice Chairman further emphasized that Sankwala Market is not the only market within Obanliku LGA. She pointed out that active markets also exist in Bishiri, Bendi, Bebi, Utanga, and Busi, adding that many women conduct legitimate businesses from their homes, compounds, and communities and are equally deserving of recognition and support.

    Calling for unity and understanding among market women across the local government area, Hon. Awowoh announced plans for a general meeting aimed at addressing concerns, strengthening communication, expanding participation, and ensuring the dissemination of accurate information.

    She urged all market women to remain peaceful and continue supporting initiatives designed to improve their welfare and economic empowerment.

    The empowerment programme was part of ongoing efforts by the First Lady of Cross River State, Bishop Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu, to support women across the state through economic empowerment and capacity-building initiatives.