CALABAR — The Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has described herself as a “market woman” while officially launching the Cross River Market Women Forum for Greatness, a grassroots economic empowerment platform aimed at strengthening women traders across the state.
The colourful event, held in Calabar, attracted thousands of market women from across the state, government officials, and political stakeholders, and marked the formal unveiling of a coordinated structure for women in trade and informal business sectors.
Speaking at the launch, Bishop Otu said her bond with market women was rooted in shared values of resilience, sacrifice, and economic contribution to families and society.
“I am a market woman,” she declared to a roaring applause. “Your strength keeps homes alive, your resilience sustains communities, and your efforts remain the backbone of our economy.”
She explained that the Forum was designed to provide structure for women in business, enhance access to finance, promote entrepreneurship training, and improve welfare and market infrastructure across Cross River State.
According to her, the initiative has already recorded notable impact, with over 400 women reportedly benefitting from various empowerment programmes facilitated through her interventions. She further emphasized that the Forum would serve as a platform for unity, collaboration, and sustainable economic growth.
In his remarks, the Wife of the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mrs. Elvert Ayambem, described the Forum as a transformative movement for women traders, noting that it would provide representation, financial opportunities, and stronger advocacy for market women across the state. She urged members to remain united and committed to collective progress.
Delivering a message on behalf of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to women empowerment under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that economic inclusion, skills development, and access to finance remain central to national development.
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Peter Odey, who represented Governor Bassey Edet Otu, received a warm reception as he addressed the gathering. He commended the First Lady’s humanitarian initiatives and her commitment to women empowerment and community development.
Dr. Odey used the occasion to urge women to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections, emphasizing the importance of active participation in the democratic process.
In a major highlight of the event, the Deputy Governor announced a donation of ₦30 million from Governor Bassey Otu to support the activities and programmes of the Cross River Market Women Forum for Greatness. He said the gesture was part of the administration’s commitment to strengthening grassroots economic initiatives and supporting women-led enterprises.
The donation was met with loud applause from participants, many of whom described it as a timely intervention that would boost the Forum’s operations and expand its outreach.
The event also featured goodwill messages from other stakeholders who praised the initiative as a strategic platform for economic empowerment, social inclusion, and community development.
The ceremony ended on a high note with renewed commitments from participants to support the Forum’s objectives, strengthen unity among market women, and deepen their contribution to the economic development of Cross River State.
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