Stakeholders Commend MoWA Commissioner On Impressive Scorecard
By Ekanem Asuquo
Stakeholders in the gender and humanitarian ecosystem have applauded the Cross River Commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irom for creating an enabling environment for seamless implementation of their intervention programmes in the state since her assumption of office.
The development partners who spoke separately at an event parkaged by to celebrate the first anniversary of Edema in office stressed that the robust synergy cultivated by the Women Affairs Commissioner has guarantee their smooth operations in Cross River, while projecting the focal points of their agenda to the front burner for necessary backing by the state.
In her remark at the event, the Calabar Municipality Coordinator, United Nations High Commission for Refugees,UNHCR, Evelyn Katono stated that the UNHCR has recorded tremendous success in their activities within the past one year courtesy of the effective collaboration enjoyed by the organisation from the Ministry of Women Affairs presided over by Hon. Edema Irom.
According to her" We are grateful for your tremendous support and cooperation we enjoyed from the ministry thereby ensuring the success of our intervention programmes in Cross River.
Your humane gesture and disposition have projected the plights of refugees within the shore of the state to the front burner, thereby attracting great assistance from the state government which is a rare feat when compared to other states.
"We appreciate Governor Bassey Otu for appointing you. The committement and passion you demonstrate in the discharge of your schedule is inspiring.
We pray for divine,grace and wisdom to lead you to greater heights.
We shall always be ready to partner with your office to drive the people's first mantra of this administration to success within our scope" She opined.
Speaking, the Head of Office and Programme Coordinator, United Nations Population Fund,UNFPA, Dr Andrew Kirima cited the establishment of a one stop functional GBV/OVC Situation Room in Calabar as a testament to the vision, adminstrative acumen and collaborative posture exhibited by the Women Affairs Commissioner since mounting the saddle.
In his words," When I arrived Cross River state in 2023,we were trying to appraise the impact of the Spotlight Initiative Programme, incidentally, we came in contact with Hon Edema Irom who was barely few months into office.
But she was able to provide the leadership and guidance to ensure a successful appraisal, apart from fine-tuning the smooth implementation of other UN investments to guarantee maximum impact.
"The one stop GBV facility she orchestrated within a year in office is highly commendable. This facility, meant to provide emergency care and assistance to victims of Gender Based Violence demonstrate the commitment of the present administration to upscale the level of response to GBV with a view of addressing the plight of vulnerable population"
Also speaking, the Head of Programme, Girls Power Initiative, GPI, Mrs Ndodeye Bassey who spoke on behalf of civil society organisations described the commissioner as a great team player whose dedication to duties has accelerated the attainment of set targets while expanding the scope of government intervention in curtailing incidences of Gender Based Violence in the state.
Staff who spoke at the event commended the Hon Edema Irom for revirogarating activities at the Ministry which they noted has been dormant for years due to neglect and poor fundings.
Responding, the Commissioner for Women Affairs,Hon Edema Irom said she humbled and overwhelmed by the ecomiuns showered on her, pledging to sustain the momentum of collaboration with development partners to enable government achieve optimum impact in the sector.
She disclosed that the present administration is "seriously disposed to protecting vulnerable women and children from abuses, exploitations and harrassments while exploring viable options to promote self reliance through vocational training for capacity building"
