PRESS RELEASE -Edo Women Conference: Our Issues, Our Voices, Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre.
Edo Women Conference: Our Issues, Our Voices,
Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Thursday 17th July 2014
PRESS RELEASE
A heterogeneous group of EDO WOMEN living in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, who are concerned about societal issues in Nigeria, and Edo state in particular, in collaboration with respectable international and national partners, are organising a non-political Conference on Edo Women’s Issues and Concerns in contemporary Nigeria and internationally. These organisations include Iroko Onlus, Association Against Women Export (AAWE), Dr Irene Ighodaro Memorial Foundation, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Benin branch. The conference, themed Our Issues, Our Voices, will take place on 17th of July 2014 at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Airport Road, Benin City, from 9.30 am to 5pm.
We believe that it is necessary for a gathering that will include Edo Women from all walks of life, from the successful market woman or farmer to the university professor or senator, to put heads together to discuss how to address the many issues that affect us. Quite as importantly, the Conference is also intended to showcase how much Edo women have been able to achieve, and to begin to actively put them forward as role models for the aspiring Edo girl.
The Conference will be declared open by the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Experienced national and international experts shall lead discussions, chair and present papers. These include:
1. Chief Franca Afegbua, first female Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
2. Iyom Josephine Anenih, former Women Leader, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); past Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Benin branch, former Minister of Women Affairs, and Delegate to the National Conference.
3. Senator Daisy Danjuma, the first Bini female Senator
4. Lady Winifred Onyeonwu, first Permanent Secretary, Bendel State, Nigeria
5. Dr Nosa Aladeselu, Founding President, Africa Women Empowerment Guild (AWEG); chair, Edo State Agency for Community Social Development Projects (World Bank supported); and Deputy National President, Christian Women Fellowship International (CWFI).
6. Princess (Mrs) Ekiuwa Inneh, former Head of Service, and Chairman, Civil Service Commission.
7. Madam Blackie Ogiamien, Leader, Market Women of Edo State
8. Mrs Stella Ojeme, Chair, FIDA Benin Branch
9. Chief Dr Irene Ododo Osula-Odaro, retired Solicitor-General, Edo State Ministry of Justice; past Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Benin branch.
10. Mrs Regina Oviaesu, Chairperson, Great Edo Womens Movement
The Conveners see this as an opportunity for concerned Nigerian citizens- men and women- to meet and discuss pragmatic solutions to issues raised, thereby encouraging societal change in Edo State and ultimately, Nigeria. We look forward to fruitful deliberations.
Prof Yinka Omorogbe, CONVENER
Dr Roseline Okosun, CONVENER
Dr Esohe Aghatise, CONVENER
The Conveners
Prof Yinka Omorogbe, Research Professor of Energy Law, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; former Corporation Secretary and Legal Adviser, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Fellow, Nigerian Association of Energy Economics (FNAEE); Secretary/ Trustee, Dr Irene Ighodaro Memorial Foundation.
Dr Roseline Etiti Okosun, President and Founder, Association Against Women Export (AAWE), and Association Against Exploitation and Degradation (AAWED). Dr Okosun is an Awardee of the Edo National Association (North America) for Outstanding Services to the Cause of Edo Women and CHildren (Dallas, September 2003); and of the American Association of University Women for Advancing Equity and Education for Women and Girls (November 2011).
Dr Esohe Aghatise, Founding and Executive Director, Associazione Iroko Onlus, Turin, Italy); Board Member, Coalition Against Trafficking of Women: honoured in 2007 by the US State Department as a Hero in the Fight Against Modern-Day Slavery;honoured in 2008 by the Nigerian National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) for her work against trafficking.