The Southern Women Empowerment Forum (SWEF), led by Dr. Helen Adebakin, recently inaugurated its Delta State in Nigeria Chapter’s leadership, with Chief Dr. Linda Eya Ikpuri as Coordinator, and empowered over 20 women at the Monarchy Event Center in Effurun.
The program’s focus on ‘The Bane of Gender Bias; and the Need to Restore Balance in the Society’ underscored SWEF’s dedication to uplifting and empowering women in the southern region, enabling them to achieve their full potential and contribute to community development.
Dr. Helen Adebakin, in her capacity as National President, commenced her address by underscoring the imperative to confront gender bias, a pervasive issue that has plagued our society for an extended period.
She observed that gender bias, with its numerous insidious manifestations, has prevented generations of women and girls from achieving their full potential, thereby denying them opportunities, suppressing their voices, and restricting their liberty.
“But today, as we stand together united in our mission for empowerment and equality, we declare that enough is enough. It is time to restore balance in our society”, she hinted.
The keynote speaker, Olori Atuwatse III, represented by Chief Mrs. Ebiyemi Omaseye, the Olujimi of Warri Kingdom, praised the National President and her team for their efforts in promoting investments in women and driving progress towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
In the same context, the panellists, including Chief Emma Agbaduba, PDP Vice-chairman, Delta South Senatorial District; Ogochukwu Okekpolo-FSM, Pioneer Director, International Forum for Women in Energy, Oil, and Gas, Delta State Chapter; Barr. Mrs. Ogechi Megbele, Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Delta State Chapter; and Ayo Okotie, Executive Director, Neferok Development Initiative, highlighted the significance of parental responsibilities and took reflective actions to pinpoint key focus areas for enhancing the prospects of women.
Dr. Linda Eya Ikpuri, State Coordinator, also reaffirmed her readiness to lead programs and activities that foster women’s empowerment, gender equality, and social progress, in line with the organisation’s strategic priorities.
She expressed gratitude to HRM Kingsley Emakpo Orereh, who was the sole sponsor of the empowerment segment of the program.
The event comprised a lecture series and messages from state actors and industry leaders on how women can engage in small-scale trades and skills to augment their income sources and make substantial contributions to their families’ maintenance.
At the inauguration event, His Excellency Barr. Dcn Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, and Her Excellency Tobore Oborovwori, wife of the Delta State Governor, were conferred with the distinguished roles of Grand Patron and Grand Matron of the Delta State Chapter of Southern Women Empowerment Forum (SWEF).
The gathering featured notable personalities, such as Dcn. Chris Iyovwaye, Managing Director of Wellman Group of Companies and owner of ‘The Monarchy’ Event Centre, who acted as Patron, and Chief Shimite Love, Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Trade and Investment, who took on the role of Matron.
Reported:
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria
