In Akwa Ibom, Gov. Emmanuel receives Uganda envoy, vows to promote foreign policy on investment

The Akwa Ibom state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has played host to the Uganda High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency, Nelson Ocheger, at Government House, Uyo on Monday.
Emmanuel restated the state’s commitment to promote Nigeria’s foreign policy on investment and development.
Represented by the deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, governor Emmanuel said his government would continue to establish harmonious relationships with African countries, particularly Uganda which it shares a lot in common.
He stated that partnering Uganda in the area of trade, agriculture, food sufficiency, industrialization and general economy which were similar with those of Akwa Ibom, would strengthen ties and fasten progress between Akwa Ibom and Uganda.


Describing the High Commissioner’s visit as timely, the governor called on the government of Uganda to invest in developing areas of the State such as shipping, oil and gas as well as Ibom Deep Sea Port, especially as Uganda was venturing into oil exploration and exportation.
The High Commissioner of Uganda to Nigeria, His Excellency Nelson Ocheger, who is also the High Commissioner to 16 West African countries  said his country was interested in partnering Akwa Ibom as one of the richest and most peaceful states in Nigeria.


Being one of the largest oil producing states, Ocheger said collaborating with Akwa Ibom state in the area of oil will add value to Uganda in its oil production and exploration.
As members of the Commonwealth of nations, the High Commissioner expressed belief in sharing things in common in the area of agriculture, food production and trade to create market opportunity for Africa.
Similarly, the state government has promised to continue to mobilise available resources to promote the overall well being of women as key players in nation building and growth.

Governor Udom Emmanuel made the promise while receiving a delegation led by the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen,on a courtesy visit to him at Government House, Uyo, also at the weekend.
Governor Emmanuel who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo, reassured that his administration would continue to create the enabling ambience for women to excel and make contributions to the growth of the state.
He mentioned that already women were occupying a significant percentage of elected positions at the third tier of government and other strategic offices in the State, and therefore commended the federal government for choosing to empower women across the state and for making Akwa Ibom the first State to benefit from the largesse of the President after the Federal Capital Territory.

“What we have achieved in Akwa Ibom State may not have been achieved if we didn’t have women as a vanguard and strong pillar of support, whether in politics or social development. Women have been a bastion,” he opined.
“Here women are equal in partnership and we will continue to do so because we appreciate the fact that when women walk side by side with men, they enrich the society”,  the governor further stressed.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, said she led a delegation to the state to flag off the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Project under UN basket fund support to National COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Pandemic in Nigeria.

Tallen said the programme was made possible by the high level joint  mission of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, NACA, UN Women and UNAID, a project she said was targeted at women, particularly the vulnerable ones.
She expressed hope that at the end of the project, there would have been increased awareness on the issue of Gender Based violence and prevention of Covid-19 including behavioural change to respond to the pandemic and other forms of violence against women and girls in the society.
“Gender equality and women economic empowerment remain critical to ensuring inclusive and sustainable development in our society,” she asserted.


The Minister said she was happy with the overwhelming support given to the state Ministry  of Women Affairs by the government of Governor Udom Emmanuel and urged the state not to relent.

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