Commissioner’s Wife Mobilises Transporters Women Forum to Drive ARISE Agenda, Economic Empowerment in Akwa Ibom

Commissioner’s Wife Mobilises Transporters Women Forum to Drive ARISE Agenda, Economic Empowerment in Akwa Ibom

as TWF Declares Support for Pastor Umo Eno, Transport Commissioner

The wife of the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. (Mrs.) Umoh Gabriel Tonyudoh, has called on women in the transport sector to actively support Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, describing women as a decisive force for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Speaking during an interactive session with the Transporters Women Forum (TWF), a coalition of female drivers, riders, ticket sellers, wives of transport operators, and other women stakeholders, Dr. Tonyudoh commended the Umo Eno administration for its inclusive governance model that prioritises women and rural communities.

Women as Catalysts for Growth

Dr. Tonyudoh urged the forum to align with the administration’s rural development drive, stressing that meaningful inclusion requires both government action and citizen participation.

She described women as the fastest-growing economic force globally and challenged them to prepare for emerging opportunities through

Skills acquisition,

Education

Continuous training

“As the wife of the Honourable Commissioner for Transport, this is my constituency. I will work with you as long as you remain faithful and committed to the ARISE Agenda. I also encourage you to register as a multipurpose cooperative society to enable stronger government recognition and access to empowerment opportunities,” she advised.

In her goodwill message, Mrs. Grace Akpan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, encouraged the women to embrace unity and collective action. She pledged to connect them with empowerment initiatives of the Umo Eno administration, including the ARISE Entrepreneurial Portal.

Mrs. Akpan commended female drivers for breaking barriers in a male-dominated profession and urged greater female participation across the transport sector to strengthen the state’s economy and family livelihoods. She further advised the women to ensure they possess valid voter cards and National Identification Numbers (NIN), noting these as critical requirements for accessing government programmes.

Responding on behalf of the forum, Mrs. Emem Udeme, President of TWF, praised Dr. Tonyudoh for her approachable and motherly leadership. She pledged the forum’s unwavering loyalty and support for Governor Umo Eno’s administration, while appealing for increased economic empowerment for members.

The women formally adopted Dr. Tonyudoh as their leader, vowing sustained commitment to her leadership and the ARISE Agenda.

The engagement concluded with prayers for the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Anthony Luke, and Governor Pastor Umo Eno, as the women reaffirmed their resolve to contribute meaningfully to the success of the ARISE Agenda.

The event was attended by key stakeholders in the transport sector, including Mr. Udeme Sunday Udoidiong, State Chairman of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), while Pastor Charles Effiong Joseph gave words of exhortation.