Edith CHUKU
A former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Akwagaga Lelegima Enyia, has charged women to imbibe good character such as respect, humility, chastity, pro-activeness, dignity, tenacity to be kind and compassionate.
Akwagaga gave this charge while addressing women and girls at the Advancing Women In Business programme, on Friday, in commemoration of the International Women’s Day.
As the global community celebrate the strength, resilience and achievements of women worldwide, the former NDDC Chief Executive Officer urged women and girls to carry themselves with dignity and elegance as women of value, substance, women that are established in life and the society.
She explained that, “prior to the 21st century, women were seen as sub-humans, not-too-important and not to be invested in; thereby, more attention was given to the male children including education, training and privilege excluding women.
“But in our world today, if we must experience real progress, economic growth and development and eventual national growth then young ladies and women must be equipped, trained and empowered.”
The former NDDC chair described young women as “people with a lot of potentials and God given talents that needs to be harnessed but this can only come to function if we come to this realization and employ early intervention to salvage our nation.”
Akwagaga explained that “investing in women means equipping them with the resources and opportunities to promote their personal and economic growth, fulfillment and empowerment.
“Investing in the young ladies and women should start from the home; mothers who are moulders, mentors and monitors should spend quality time with their girls in order to answer their life questions for better understanding, I will use the word inclusion to give tips on how to invest in the girl, young ladies and women.”
Speaking on the 2024 theme of the International Women’s Day which is “Inspire Inclusion: Invest In Women. Accelerate Progress, she said “inclusion” was an acronym which stands for invest, nurture, coach, lead, understand, security, identity, open opportunities and nourish.
According to her, “invest in the young ladies and women can be done by prioritizing their education, giving them quality education opportunity, also by connecting women with financial resources that can help them meet their basic needs and start or grow business.
“In addition to financial resources, women need to access land, information and technology and natural resources which is fundamental for getting a job or starting a new business.”
She further charged women who are skilled, talented and are making wave in various endeavours to impact, nurture, coach, guide, nourish and give opportunity to younger girls.
Stressing on the God factor which she said is the most important to profit ones destiny, Akwagaga added that investing in young girls will “boost economic diversification and ensure that incomes are equally shared, a shared prosperity between both gender.
“Equipped women will raise children with value for a better and safer tomorrow. When women’s skills are identified and groomed it leads to sustainable development. Investing in women gives them more control over their lives. Empowering women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities. Women empowerment accelerate growth and national development in every facet and sector thereby accelerating growth and progress.” She said.
