RismadarVoice Reporters
February 13, 2026
Akwa Ibom State Government has pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Women Wing of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to address issues affecting women in the Niger Delta region.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, made the pledge while receiving a delegation from the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of PANDEF Women Wing during a courtesy visit to her office.
The Commissioner noted that the calibre of leadership within the Women Wing of PANDEF, coupled with their wealth of experience, would bring immense benefits to Akwa Ibom State through strategic partnership.
She expressed gratitude to God for the emergence of Obonganwan Grace Ekong, former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, as the new National Women Leader of PANDEF.
According to her, the position presents an opportunity to attract greater development to the state.
“I know with this position that God has given to Akwa Ibom State, you will be able to draw much more development to the state,” she said.
Mrs. Etukudo also accepted the membership invitation extended to her by the State Women Leader of PANDEF, Obonganwan Edith Ettete, and thanked the delegation for briefing her on the activities of the organization.
She assured them of the ministry’s readiness to explore areas of collaboration to promote the interests of women in the state and align with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
Earlier, leader of the delegation and Akwa Ibom State Women Leader of PANDEF, Obonganwan Edith Ettete, described PANDEF as a socio-political umbrella body representing leaders, elders, and stakeholders from the South-South geopolitical zone, comprising the nine states of the Niger Delta region.
She stated that the organization focuses on advocating for socio-economic development, infrastructural improvement, economic diversification beyond oil, peacebuilding, stability, restructuring, resource control, and equitable distribution of resources and political representation.
Ettete highlighted PANDEF’s advocacy role in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), noting that it has helped draw attention to the development needs of oil-producing communities.
She further disclosed that the Women Directorate of PANDEF is committed to mobilizing and organizing women across the region in line with the forum’s developmental objectives.
Presenting a formal invitation to the Commissioner to join the Women Wing as an executive member, Ettete reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to partnering with the Akwa Ibom State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to advance the ARISE Agenda.
Also present at the meeting were the Director of Administration and Supplies, Mrs. Affiong Nkom, who represented the Permanent Secretary; the Director of Economic Services, Barr. Nkechi Udo; the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. (Mrs.) Inemesit Enobong Uwah; and the Director of Women Affairs, Renewed ARISE with Hope Initiative, Dr. Glory Edet, among others.
