The founder of Africa Economic Summit, Dr Brian Reuben, has indicated the readiness of the summit to position Abia Women Forum in the global socio-economic space.
Reuben stated this while speaking with newsmen after delivering a keynote speech at the inaugural meeting of the forum in Umuahia, the state capital.
He said the summit will expose and position them to reach their full potential by providing them resources, fostering connections and challenging barriers that limit their progress.
“So, this is something we’re bringing women all over the state to ensure that we support them with opportunities they need. And we’re looking at economic and business support, and mentorship.
“We want to see more women in leadership. We want to see their health prioritized; we want to see abusive cultures that restrict and limit them removed,” he added.
To achieve this, Reuben, who is also the executive chairman of the 16th Council, which is also known as Brain Reuben Policy Group, noted that the opportunities are both local and international.
“We will bring them into leadership training so that they can get knowledge of not only available opportunities, but also the skills and capacity they need to be able to possess those opportunities.”
The Isuikwuato local government area-born international consultant and analyst described his efforts and desire to partner the forum as payback to his home state.
“We want to make sure that some of the things we’re able to do internationally, we bring them home to support our people.”
Speaking earlier, a prominent member of the forum, Lady Chinedu Brown, said the forum is aimed at charting a new way for Abia women to fight and protect their rights.
The retired permanent secretary, urged the attendees, who were drawn from across the 17 local government areas of the state to come up with ideas that will drive the forum
One of the mobilisers of the forum, Mrs Nene Iroakazi, explained that the forum will mark a new page and turnaround for women in the state hence they should embrace it wholeheartedly.
She argued that the forum is devoid of either political or religious leanings as it is focused on fighting for the emancipation and liberation of women in the state from backwardness.
