By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- A women’s group, Women Advancement for Economic and Leadership Empowerment in Africa, WAELEA, has honoured Senator Rose Oko, representing Cross River North Senatorial District with a prestigious ‘Women Emancipation and Service Delivery’ award.

L-R: Sen Rose Oko receiving the award from President,Women Advancement for Economic and Leadership Empowerment in Africa, WAELEA, Mrs Bridget Ganyi.

The award was conferred on Sen. Oko by the President, WAELEA, Barr. Mrs Bridget Ganyi, in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, where Ganyi said the organisation deemed it fit to honour the senator with the award based on her commitment to women’s emancipation, empowerment and protection.

She also stated that the award was conferred on the senator because she merited it after their assessment and report on her activities and impact made on women, and also her believe for a better life for women.

She said: “The prestigious ‘Women Emancipation and Service Delivery’ award presented here by Women Advancement for Economic and Leadership Empowerment in Africa, WAELEA, is in recognition of Senator Rose Oko’s continuous struggle for women emancipation and the leading role she is playing in effective service delivery in her senatorial district and the nation at large.

“She (Oko) has been a woman of compassion and has carried the burden of women on her shoulders in order for the women in this country to have a sense of belonging and say in national issues because gone are the days women were restricted and marginalised in the affairs of this country.

“The award is also to spur other women in private, political and public offices to contribute to the emancipation of women who are being exploited, oppressed, silenced, intimidated, harassed and agitated by society.”

In her response, Senator Rose, who is also the chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, expressed gratitude for the honour.

She pledged to continue to bring women’s issues to the front burner and press for their due place in the polity, calling for more women to indicate interest in politics and governance of the nation.