CALABAR – Thousands of market women across Cross River State on Wednesday endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Bassey Edet Otu for a second term in office as the Cross River Market Women Forum for Greatness officially launched its microfinance bank aimed at boosting grassroots economic activities.
By Victoria Omini- CALABAR
The endorsement took place during a colourful gathering attended by the wife of the President, represented by the wife of the governor, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, market leaders, government officials, and thousands of women from across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the market women, the Secretary and Representative of the Association, Rita Egbe, described market women as the economic backbone of families and communities, noting that the newly established microfinance bank would improve access to finance and strengthen local businesses.
She commended Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, founder of the forum, for bringing market women together under a common platform and providing opportunities for entrepreneurship training, empowerment programmes, and market infrastructure development.
According to her, more than 400 women across the state have benefited from empowerment initiatives facilitated by the forum. She also appealed for increased government support in the areas of security, improved market access roads, sanitation facilities, and disaster recovery programmes.
The wife of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, described the forum as a movement designed to provide support, representation, opportunities, and a stronger voice for market women.
She said the organisation would continue to promote capacity building, financial support, advocacy, and strategic interventions aimed at improving the livelihoods of women traders and enhancing their contribution to the state's economy.
Ayambem praised the resilience of market women and called on members to embrace unity and collective progress. She reaffirmed support for President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Otu's administration, describing both leaders as committed to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
Delivering the message of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, the President's wife commended the initiative as a significant step toward empowering women and strengthening grassroots economic development.
She noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda places strong emphasis on economic inclusion and women's empowerment through access to opportunities, skills development, finance, and social support.
The message highlighted the critical role women play in sustaining families, communities, and the national economy, while urging members of the forum to uphold unity, integrity, and diligence in pursuit of their collective goals.
The First Lady also reiterated support for the continued leadership of President Tinubu and Governor Otu, expressing confidence in their commitment to national and state development.
Representing Governor Otu at the event, Deputy Governor Peter Odey received a rousing welcome from participants as he praised the First Lady of the state for her humanitarian interventions and commitment to women's empowerment.
Odey described Bishop Eyoanwan Otu as a compassionate leader whose interventions have transformed lives across the state. He urged women to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 elections and remain active participants in the democratic process.
The deputy governor declared that the overwhelming support demonstrated by the women was a strong indication of confidence in the administration of Governor Otu and President Tinubu.
In a major highlight of the event, Odey announced a donation of N30 million on behalf of Governor Otu to support the activities and objectives of the Cross River Market Women Forum for Greatness.
The event ended with renewed calls for unity among women, economic empowerment at the grassroots, and sustained support for the administrations of President Tinubu and Governor Otu as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 elections.
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