PART 2: MY EMPOWERMENT WALK BUILDS A NETWORK OF GRASSROOTS WOMEN JOURNALISTS, CREATES RIPPLE EFFECTS ACROSS THE NIGERIAN NATION

PART 2

Getting people to walk with me through the road to empowering poor women and girls in the rural is not an option but a necessity. We all have the potentials and skills to add value to life. I cannot do it alone.

The potential contributions women make to their own lives, families, friends and dependants, not to talk about the family, which is their first concern is worth commanding. We can truly appreciate these their unique contributions by way of involving them and linking them with individuals and groups of goodwill by means of this EMPOWERMENT WALK promoting enterprise and leadership development, environment, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene in the communities.

Like the Chinese will say, " Stranger, there is no path. Paths are made by walking", I have created a pathway for interested persons, groups and co-operations to join in the walk to freedom from poverty.

The Grassroots Women Journalists in Nigeria (GWJiN) that I initiated, is one formidable front that is taking education, training and information to the doorsteps of people in the communities.

We made our first outing with an advocacy visit to the Traditional Ruler of Ugep, a densely populated area that has a rich culture that has been attracting tourists and investors alike annually for LEBBOKU Festival, when the natives celebrate their yam harvest.

The Monarch, Obol Ofem Ubana, was so thrilled to have us visit him with the good news that we can take education, training and information to the community that is in dare need of the services, as he revealed.

We pressed for progress on the side of the Women, demanding that, it is time to recognize and appreciate the immense contributions women make to the growth of their families and communities.

We argued further that nothing happens without women. The add value to the nation's agriculture, economy and general development, unconditionally and as such, should be integrated into decision- making processes on the communities.

Our position moved the Monarch who could not hide his surprise and joy. He said that it was uncommon to see women take actions by themselves, to stand for themselves, instead of the "routine noise-making, begging for recognition by expecting that it is the men that should pave a way for them.

He therefore, promised to mobilize support for the Group, promising that he would encourage active women in the area to identify with us.

We presented our Unique Dawadawa (Processed locust beans) along side the traditional kolanut to him.

Our next visit is billed for Friday, May18th, 2018.

We are expecting to meet with the rural women of the locality and hope to interact together, cross fertilize ideas and share stories.

We would take a list of the poorest Widows in the locality and see how we may celebrate this year's International Day of Widows.

So help us God. Amen