Orhionmwon Council Chairperson, Mrs Lilian Thompson Osagie, inaugurates women advisory committee in Abudu, rallies women for inclusive governance and development

In a bold stride toward deepening inclusive governance and amplifying the voices of women, the Chairperson of Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Mrs. Lilian Thompson Osagie, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, inaugurated the Orhionmwon Women Advisory Committee in Abudu. The Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Dennis Ugbudian, revealed this in a statement detailing the historic event.

The ceremony, held at the Council’s main hall in Abudu, drew an impressive gathering of eminent personalities, including wives of political office holders, women leaders, market women, and prominent advocates. The atmosphere reflected unity, purpose, and a shared commitment to strengthening the voice of women across the local government.

Among the dignitaries present were the wife of the Vice Chairman, Mrs. Evelyn Vincent Ehibor; wife of the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Mrs. Osayemwenre Endurance Egharevba; wife of the Deputy Leader, Mrs. Enoma Evidence Emmanuella; wife of the Supervising Councillor for Health and Environment, Mrs. Mabel Osagie Edughan; Supervising Councillor for Youth and Sports, Hon. Augusta Ndidi Azagba; Councillor representing Ukpato Ward, Hon. Glory Egharevba Obazee (popularly known as Mama B); Orhionmwon Women Leader, Hon. Ehimwenma Elizabeth; wife of councillor representing Abiokunla ward 1, Mrs. Esther Tony Ogbezuwa; wife of councillor representing Igbanke East, Mrs. Joy Lucky Isibor. Others included Mrs. Aisien Helen, Mrs. Queen Omorodion, Mrs. Joan Peter, Mrs. Patience Ojo, Mrs. Maris Innocent, Mrs. Faith Aigbekaen, and Mrs. Osarobo Beauty, alongside several other distinguished women across the wards.

The event commenced on a solemn note with an opening prayer led by Mama B, setting the stage for a purposeful and impactful engagement. Dennis Ugbudian noted that the programme was designed to foster grassroots participation.

Providing insight into the vision behind the initiative, the Moderator and Director of Socials, Mrs. Margaret Alegbe, described the Women Advisory Committee as a strategic platform designed to give women a stronger voice in governance. She explained that the committee aims to promote gender equity, enhance women’s participation in leadership, and ensure that policies reflect the realities and aspirations of women at the grassroots. She noted that beyond advocacy, the committee will serve as a support system, addressing challenges such as limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, while fostering empowerment through training, mentorship, and financial assistance initiatives. Mrs. Alegbe encouraged participants to take ownership of the platform by actively sharing issues affecting their communities, stressing that effective solutions can only emerge through open dialogue and collaboration. She also urged them to cascade the message to all wards, ensuring that more women benefit from the initiative. Commending the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), she lauded the emergence of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Thompson Osagie, as the party’s consensus candidate for the forthcoming local government elections, attributing the development to his impactful strides in office.

In her keynote remarks, the Chairperson, Mrs. Lilian Thompson Osagie, expressed profound appreciation to the women for the honour accorded her, describing the turnout as unprecedented. She adopted a tone of humility and solidarity, affirming that she stands not as a superior, but as one of them, united in purpose and shared aspirations. She acknowledged the unwavering support the women have extended to her husband, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Thompson Osagie, noting that their collective contributions have been instrumental to the successes recorded in the local government. Reiterating the importance of unity and collaboration, the Chairperson called on women across Orhionmwon to sustain their support and actively participate in the forthcoming local government elections. She stressed that collective effort, prayer, and strategic engagement are essential to consolidating the gains already achieved. Mrs. Osagie further encouraged women to speak up about their challenges and seek assistance where necessary, assuring them of her readiness to channel such concerns to appropriate quarters for prompt intervention. She underscored that the essence of the Advisory Committee lies in mutual support, empowerment, and shared progress.

The event later transitioned into an interactive session, providing participants the opportunity to voice their opinions, share experiences, and propose solutions to pressing issues affecting their communities. Speaking during the session, Mrs. Mabel Osagie Edughan commended the remarkable achievements of Hon. Thompson Osagie, noting that his performance in office has earned him widespread acceptance and the APC consensus ticket. She urged women to reciprocate by mobilizing support for the upcoming elections, emphasizing that continued progress depends on collective commitment. In a similar vein, Mrs. Enoma Oluchi Emmanuela described the initiative as a commendable step in the right direction, urging women and youths to intensify grassroots sensitization and adopt people-oriented engagement strategies ahead of the elections.

Adding her voice, the Iyeki of Abudu, Mrs. Joan Igiebor, applauded the Chairperson for creating a platform that directly addresses the needs of women. She pledged the unwavering support of market women across Orhionmwon and appealed for clear modalities to access the loan opportunities introduced by the Chairperson’s office. Also speaking, the Orhionmwon Women Leader, Hon. Ehimwenma Elizabeth, delivered a passionate appeal for unity, describing it as the cornerstone of success. She urged leaders and followers alike to work in harmony, stressing that a united front will guarantee victory in the forthcoming elections.

The event was further enlivened by moments of cultural display, singing, and dancing, as participants celebrated the initiative with enthusiasm and showcased their rich talents. Guests were also treated to refreshments, adding a festive touch to what was widely described as a memorable and impactful gathering. In her closing remarks, Mrs. Esther Tony Ogbezuwa commended the Chairperson and all participants for their invaluable contributions. She charged the women to translate discussions into action, expressing confidence that collective efforts would yield resounding success in the months ahead. The event concluded with a closing prayer offered by the Chairperson, Mrs. Lilian Thompson Osagie, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and wished them safe journeys back to their respective destinations. Dennis Ugbudian added that the inauguration of the Orhionmwon Women Advisory Committee stands as a bold step toward fostering inclusive governance, empowering women, and strengthening grassroots development across the local government.