Nigerian Concord Newspaper
Over 5,000 professional women across Benue State on Wednesday, mobilised under the platform of the APC Professional Women Council to strengthen political support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing the transformative strides of their administrations across critical sectors of the economy.
The mobilisation was part of the one-day sensitisation seminar themed “The Need for Professionals’ Involvement in Politics,” organised by the APC Professional Women Council, Benue State Chapter, in collaboration with Education Sector Mobilisation, North Central.
In her welcome address, the State Coordinator of the Council, Dr. Grace Adagba, who is also the Regional Head, Teacher Mobilisation, North Central Region, and the Convener, Divine Consensus for Tinubu/Alia 2027, said the Council was established to bridge the gap between professional excellence and political participation, providing an organised platform for accomplished women to translate their professional influence into meaningful political engagement. She disclosed that the Council had exceeded her target of mobilising over 5,000 professional women across the state in their respective professional groups.
In her presentation on the seminar theme, Dr. Adagba challenged professional women to move beyond passive political participation by identifying with political parties, seeking mentorship, volunteering for campaigns and aspiring to elective and appointive positions. She also highlighted the importance of professional expertise in shaping policies that respond to the practical realities of classrooms, hospitals, businesses and communities.
Delivering the keynote address, the National Director of the APC Professional Women Council, and the Lead, Teacher Mobilisation, Dr. Ronke Soyombo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governor of Benue state, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for their achievements, highlighting the ongoing transformation across different sectors of the economy. She urged professional women to become more actively involved in political processes and contribute their knowledge, experience and organisational capacity to governance and national development.
A major highlight of the seminar was the inauguration of the Council of Patrons, chaired by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Barr. Sam Ode, MNI as well as the endorsement of President Tinubu and Gov. Alia by the Teacher Mobilisation wing. Other Patrons include Her Excellency, Hon. Mrs Scholastica Ben-Sor; Hon. Alfred Berger Emberga; Sir Alexander Fanafa; Prof. Member George-Genyi, Prof. Aduloju Margaret, Prof. Cecilia Ohemu and Hon. Helen Agaigbe with His Excellency the Governor as Grand Patron.
The event also featured goodwill messages from representatives of professional women from the three senatorial zones of the state, the NUT State Chairman and State Coordinator, Teacher Mobilisation, Comr. Akuma Levi; the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor; and the APC State Chairman, Hon. Chief Dr. Benjamin Omale; who all expressed support for the APC Professional Women Council under the leadership of Dr. Grace Adagba, and called for increased sustained grassroot mobilisation for the re-election of President Tinubu and Gov. Alia.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, applauded the Council and urged the women to exercise their civic responsibilities by voting rightly. He assured them that his administration would continue to execute more projects, and revealed plans of establishing a new Benue Cement refinery for the state. According to His Excellency, these interventions are aimed at improving the wellbeing of the people of Benue State.
The seminar brought together professional women from medicine, education, law, nursing, engineering, entrepreneurship, science and the likes.