When Women ECDA Held Convention, Dedicated Constitution

By Matthew Kuju

On Saturday September 4th, 2021, the premises of Eggon Kyenkyen schools, Mada Station road, Nassarawa Eggon was jam-packed with personalities of high and low calibre.

The occasion was the celebration of the 2021 Convention of the Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA) Women, National Body.

The occasion saw to the dedication of the amended Constitution of the body as well as commissioning of a block of classrooms built by the association.

Indeed, the occasion was well attended by highly distinguished personalities from various walks of life. The Executive Council members of the ECDA Women, National Body were all on ground and organised themselves to ensure the smooth running of the programme.

The Ombili Moa Ashe Eggon, Hon Chief Mary Enwongulu was up and doing for the success of the occasion.

The First Lady (3rd from left), the wife of the Deputy Governor (2nd right) and wife of the Speaker (Right) at the occasion

Among the dignitaries at the occasion were: the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel A. Akabe who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant, Hon Juliana Esla Dauda and Dr Bala Abaine Angbazo JP, the Aren Eggon, was represented by Justice Ahmed Ubangari (rtd).

The First Lady of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Silifat Abdulah Sule, indeed went to the occasion with a high-calibre entourage. She was accompanied by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Sheila Tosin Akabe, the wife of the Honourable Speaker of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Maryam Balarabe Abdullahi and the wife of the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Zainab Mohammed Aliyu.

Also on the entourage of the First Lady was former National President of NCWS, Hajiya Ramatu Dalhatu mni.

The First Lady Being Dressed In Eggon Wear

Distinguished Senator Godiya Akwashiki (Matawallen Eggon), Honourable Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Turakin Keffi), Chief Ambassador Isaac Kigbu, Mr Matthew A. Ombugaku and Dr Mrs Veronica W. Adigizey were also there.

The ECDA President, Pato Wilberforce Alaku, some past Women ECDA Presidents, Mr Stephen Ahmed Alaku, Dr Solomon Aza, Comrade Daniel Anyuabaga Yaro were in attendance.

It should be reported that the women were there in large numbers from all the branches of the association. They were beautifully dressed in their uniform.

The occasion kicked started with the Nigeria’s National Anthem and the Eggon anthem both rendered in Eggon language by ECDA women from Keffi branch.

Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi A. Sule, the First Lady, delivering her speech

The moment the First Lady arrived at the venue of the occasion, the programme kicked off properly.

There were speeches made by the Chairman of the occasion, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, Women ECDA President, Mrs Rose Aminu Attah, father of the Day, Mr Matthew Ombugaku, Chief Launcher, Honourable Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, and rounded off by the First Lady, Hajiya Silifta Abdullahi A. Sule.

The President Women ECDA, Mrs Rose Aminu Attah in her speech recounted the achievements recorded by her leadership for the sake of the schools established by the Eggon women.

Her words: “In spite of the paucity of funds, we were able build a block of four classrooms. The commissioning of this structure is one of the main activities of today’s event.

“We were also able to build a laboratory and purchase some laboratory equipment to give more value to the science education we offer in this school.

Senator Godiya Akwashiki Speaking

“Other projects we embarked on and completed include: building of two modern toilets in the school, renovation of the primary school blocks, and the building of an examination hall. We have also been able to successfully register our school as a NECO examination centre. We are still processing approval for WAEC examination centre.

“To forestall erosion, we planted carpet grasses within the school premises. We also planted flowers and trees to beautify the environment.

“Apart from physical projects, we were able to register the school with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), screen and employ new teachers as well as pay three months outstanding salaries of our teachers.”

She then enumerated the urgent needs of the school to enhance teaching and learning.

She said: “The school needs additional blocks of classrooms and a school bus. We also need office for our staff.

Honourable Ahmed Aliyu Wadada Giving His Remarks

“Other needs of the school include a well-equipped library, more furniture (especially chairs and desks) and a borehole.

“If you look around, you will observe that this space is becoming too tight. We are thinking of acquiring a sizable piece of land which will serve as the permanent site for this school

“The National ECDA Women Wing is also in need of a bus. Movement from place to place has been very difficult for us. Having a bus makes our movement much easier, safer and cost effective.”

She then announced the honour that the Eggon women chose to bestow on the First lady of Nasarawa State,

According to her, the Eggon women conferred on her the title of “Ayimo moa-she Eggon meaning The Light of Eggon Women or Hasken Matan Eggon. This is because she has been a model for women in Nasarawa State in grace, kindness, diligence and many other admirable qualities.”

In his address as Chief Launcher, Hon Ahmed Aliyu Wadada challenged the people notwithstanding their religious or ethnic background to live in peace with one another, adding that without peace, no reasonable development would be made.

The Ombili Moa Ashe Eggon (Middle) and Othe Women ECDA ECO members

In his speech, Senator Godiya Akwashiki called for support to the State Government not minding the political parties for the good of all.

He appreciated the government of Engr Abdullahi A. Sule for the peace being enjoyed in the State.

He announced that he would embark on what he described as massive electrical work in Nassarawa Eggon Local Government worth about 982million Naira in three weeks’ time from that date.

He also charged every electorate to ensure he or she obtained voter’s card.

One of the major highlights of the occasion was the dressing of the First lady with Eggon traditional wrapper done by the Women President and Ombili Moa-Ashe Eggon.

Clerics from Islam and Christianity then prayed to dedicate the amended Constitution of the association.

The First Lady, Assisted By Wife of the Deputy Governor and Senator Godiya Akwashiki Cutting The Tape to Commission the Classroom Block

In her speech, the First Lady of Nasarawa State, appreciated the ECDA Women Wing for the honour done to her by the title of Ayimo Moa Ashe Eggon (Light of the Eggon Women).

She then encouraged women to love one mother no matter the religion or tribe and live in peace.

She then charged the women to fully partake in electoral activities to ensure they vote in only credible leaders at both the executive and legislative arms of government.

After her speech, the First Lady led other dignitaries to commission the block of classrooms built by the Women ECDA.

Some of the Women At The Convention

The women went home smiling to the bank as donations in cash and kind poured in from different persons. For instance, while Senator Godiya Akwahiki pledged to give the Women ECDA and ECDA 18-seater buses within one month from that date, Comrade Daniel Anyuabaga pledged to give money for the fuelling of the bus when the women delivery. Senator Godiya Akwashiki also used the occasion to pledge a gift of 18-seater bus to the Eggon Community Secondary School, Nassarawa Eggon, which he said would be delivered alongside that of the Eggon Kyekyen Schools.

On their parts, the First Lady, the Chief Launcher, the Father and Mother of the Day as well as several others announced sums of money either as pledge or gave cash. The First lady gave her donation cash.

Worthy of mention also for their contributions to the worthy cause were the following: Hon Labaran Maku, Hon Danladi Jatau, Justice Yusuf Halilu Envulu-Anza, General Nuhu Angbazo, Chief Sule Alu (Ubandoman Eggon), Honourable Juliana Esla Dauda, Chief Nathaniel Aboki, Dr Vincent Paul, Dr Mrs Saratu S. Audu, Mr David Akwanga, and Comrade Mrs Mary Meshi.

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