The Honourable Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief Mrs Ukachi Constance Amala has called for Basic Computer training for women in the state as a basis for them to benefit from the ECOWAS 50 Million African Women Speak Project.

She made this call while playing host to a delegation of the organization led by the Abia State Representative, Dr Mrs Grace Okaro who paid her a Courtesy Visit at the Women Development Centre, Umuahia. She expressed her happiness about the Project pointing out that it will give the women the opportunity to discover themselves and their talents, and showcase their products instead of depending on their husbands and children all the time.

Mrs Amala emphasized the need for the Leadership of the Project to be indigenized especially in the grassroots for easy sensitization and mobilization of the women. She encouraged the members of the delegation to be steadfast stating that the assignment is voluntary without earthly rewards but receiving more valuable rewards from God who rewards greatly. She promised to work with the Leadership of the Project in the State and provide the necessary assistance and support within available resources to ensure its success.

On the other hand, the Honourable Commissioner, Chief Mrs Amala expressed her confusion at the 50 Million African Women Speak Project being represented by two different groups in Abia State pointing out that she had received a delegation earlier this year in her office. She requested for an explanation and directed that all relationships, commitment and communication with the first group be suspended until she gets a clear picture of the situation. She requested for a copy of the official letter terminating the contract of the former, Local Content Manager(LCM), Mrs Angela Nwaogwugwu for proper guidance.

Earlier in an address she presented during the Courtesy Visit, the Abia State Representative of the Project, Dr Mrs Grace Okaro has described ECOWAS 50 Million African Women Speak Project as specially designed and launched by ECOWAS in collaboration with the African Development Bank(AfDB) to digitally Connect, Network and Empower Women across Africa and to meet their information needs. She said that 50million African Women Speak Platform is a dynamic platform that meets the information needs of womenpreneurs who log on to www.womenconnect.org and register.

Dr. Mrs Okaro stated that to ensure the success, sustainability and ownership of the project in the Ministries and other gender related Agencies in Nigeria, that certain action plans have been recommended which includes: the Project Representatives in every state would need to visit the Commissioners of Women Affairs in order to intimate them on the updates and progress made so far about the project so that they can give their assistance and support through motivating and encouraging the Project Leaders to enhance smooth operation of pending activities in their various states as regards to the implementation of the project; Continue to get women entrepreneurs’ data via gender related government agencies as well as through the Social Media links; Advocacy visits to prominent Nigerians (First Ladies, Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders etc) for assistance and support towards the sustainability and ownership of the project having obtained necessary approval, the process has commenced to take the project to the grassroots through the Ministries of Gender Affairs and Local Government Council Leaderships.

Others are, Planning of a Business Fair to create awareness of the project and also enable women showcase their businesses. It will also be an avenue for the women entrepreneurs to have access to necessary government agencies for their business registrations. This will attract the presence of the media for effective publicity; Leverage on existing gender related agencies in establishing legally acceptable women collaborations for the purpose of feeding the platform continuously; and Provision of funds to enhance the provision of maximum information and training on entrepreneurship, business market and register the maximum number of women through awareness and sensitization.

The Abia State Project Representative informed the Honourable Commissioner that the Project has been launched formally in Abuja and therefore, the onus lies on the State Representatives to take the Media Launch to the States and Local Government levels. For Abia State, she said, “we appeal to you for your support and assistance to ensure that the project succeeds so that our women benefits maximally from its provisions.We need the collaboration of Her Excellency, the Wife of the Governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu through your Ministry to carry out the Media Launch of the Project in no distant time. We will also rely on your Ministry’s database of Women Organizations in the State to ensure that this message gets to all the nooks and crannies of the state in order to get all our women on board.”

Dr Mrs Okaro further explained that as Leaders of the Project, they are only volunteers who have the betterment of the womenfolk at heart and have been steadfast, putting in their time, expertise and resources to ensure the project succeeds in Abia State and expressed her earnest belief that Chief Mrs Amala will accept their hands of partnership since the project falls directly within the jurisdiction of her office. She conveyed the esteemed regards of the National Project Director, Alhaji Idris Mohammed and the Local Content Manager, Mrs Ajibike Oluwatimelehin who she said will both come to Abia State whenever the Media Launch of the Project is scheduled.

On the issue of dual representation of the Project in Abia State, Dr Mrs Okaro explained that the contract between the former Local Content Manager(LCM), Mrs Angela Nwogwugwu, her team and ECOWAS had expired and a new Local Content Manager in the person of Mrs Ajibike
Oluwatimelehin appointed. She further explained that as the reason why the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs had to issue Letter of Introduction to every State Representative to submit to their various States Ministries of Women Affairs for identification which she said she submitted through the Permanent Secretary during her earlier visit in July in absence of the Honourable Commissioner. She promised to send the necessary Documentations to the Ministry to portray these facts.

In her contribution, the Permanent Secretary, Lady Onyinyechi Nwachukwu confirmed to the delegation that they have come to the right ministry for partnership and expressed delight at the progress being made pointing out that she has been following the activities of the Project closely. She commended Dr Mrs Okaro for her efforts and sacrifice and appealed for patience on the part of the womenfolk who she believes will gradually respond to the Project.

Members of the delegation include, Lady Nkechinyere Maduagwu(Ohafia LG Coordinator), Ms Susan Uzor(Osisioma Ngwa LG Coordinator), Ms Chioma Okorom(Umuahia South Coordinator), Mrs Ifeoma Nwachukwu(Ikwuano LG Assistant Coordinator), Mrs Agodichimma Uche Okoro and Ms Nnenna Josiah.

Highlights of the occasion were the hand over of a signed copy of the address, some 50MAWSP promotional materials and photographs of past activities to the the Honourable Commissioner by the Leader of the Delegation and a group photograph.