By Solomon OKPO
Women in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have lauded the administration of Umo Eno for what they described as visible development strides and inclusive governance, pledging to intensify grassroots mobilization for Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) registration ahead of future elections.
The commendation came on Thursday during a Women Sensitization Tour on Civic Responsibilities organized by the Akwa Ibom State Government in Nsit Atai.
Representing the Governor at the event, Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the welfare, empowerment and inclusion of women across the state. She stated that part of her mandate was to assess the condition and concerns of women in the area and report back to the Governor for necessary action.
Eyakenyi urged women to step up efforts in mobilizing eligible residents for PVC registration and voter education, stressing that civic participation remains a critical pillar of sustainable democracy. She disclosed that arrangements were being made to bring officials of the National Identity Number (NIN) scheme to the area to enable women without identification documents to register and regularize their records.
In her remarks, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, appreciated the women of Nsit Atai for their loyalty and continued support for the administration. She maintained that women occupy a central place in the Governor’s development blueprint and assured them that empowerment initiatives would continue to target their economic and social advancement.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, emphasized that empowerment programmes were in the pipeline for the local government. She cautioned that only persons aged 18 and above are eligible for PVC registration, urging women to understand their civic rights and responsibilities to avoid irregularities.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperatives, Mrs. Alice Ekpenyong, encouraged women to embrace the ARISE cooperative societies as a pathway to financial independence and collective economic strength. She noted that the prevailing peace and stability in the state had enhanced public confidence in the ruling All Progressives Congress across communities.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Prince Anthony Nyong, commended the Governor for extending the sensitization programme to the grassroots. He described civic engagement as essential to good governance and pledged that his administration would continue to mobilize women to obtain their PVCs.
Goodwill messages were delivered by political and community leaders, including the APC Chapter Woman Leader in Nsit Atai, who expressed confidence in strong electoral participation in the area during the 2027 general elections.
Other dignitaries present at the event included Rt. Hon. Mark Esset, member representing Nsit Atai Federal Constituency; Hon. Prince Aniefiok Attah, member of the State House of Assembly; Hon. Emem Ibanga,
Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and former Chairman of Nsit Atai; Mrs. Emem Nyong, wife of the Nsit Atai Chairman; Mrs. Anietie Eka; and Mr. Ini Obot, International Director of Research and Documentation, Renewed Hope Initiative, among others.
The sensitization tour forms part of the state government’s broader effort to deepen civic awareness, expand women’s participation in governance, and strengthen grassroots democratic structures across Akwa Ibom.
