The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women with the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to achieve economic independence and build sustainable livelihoods.
The NDDC Director, Akwa Ibom State Office, Engr. Evong Evong, stated this during the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Evong said the Commission remained committed to human capital development, stressing that equipping women with entrepreneurial skills and support was critical to making them self-reliant and active contributors to economic development.
He said the annual International Women’s Day celebration had become a tradition within the NDDC, noting that this year’s programme reflected the theme, “Rights, Justice and Action for Women and Girls.”
According to him, women have important roles to play in entrepreneurship, export and broader economic development, adding that the NDDC would continue to promote equal access to opportunities.
“Women have the right to stand alongside men as entrepreneurs, exporters and active contributors to society. The NDDC is committed to promoting justice by creating opportunities for women to access business support and loan facilities without discrimination,” Evong said.
“Beyond celebrating women, we are taking action by empowering them with the knowledge and opportunities they need to succeed.”
He encouraged participants to register with the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) to access business support services, mentorship and low-interest financing to expand their enterprises.
Evong noted that women occupied a strategic position in economic development, stressing that empowering them would translate into stronger families, prosperous communities and sustainable development across the Niger Delta region.
The programme also featured presentations on women’s health, export development and business sustainability.
The Head of Business Development, Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Aaron Michael King, delivered a lecture on women’s health, highlighting the importance of preventing and managing hypertension, diabetes, pregnancy-related health challenges, menopause and other conditions.
King urged the participants to prioritise regular medical check-ups, stressing that good health was essential to sustaining successful businesses.
The representative of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs Christiana Sylvanus, also provided participants with practical guidance on exportation.
She addressed ways of simplifying the export process, overcoming challenges confronting exporters, identifying foreign markets, understanding product demand and taking advantage of international trade opportunities.
Similarly, the Board Secretary of NDCCITMA, Dr Solomon Edebiri, spoke on business growth and sustainability, urging the women to adopt sound management practices capable of supporting long-term business success.
Participants expressed appreciation to the NDDC for organising the programme, saying the sessions had provided them with useful knowledge for improving their businesses and personal wellbeing.
One of the participants, Mrs Atim Okon Efiong, described the programme as an eye-opening experience that had equipped her with valuable entrepreneurial knowledge.
Another participant, Mrs Ubong Roslyn, said the health session had encouraged her to take regular medical check-ups more seriously.
She noted that maintaining good health was indispensable to the success of every entrepreneur.
The NDDC said the programme was part of its broader human capital development efforts aimed at creating opportunities for women and strengthening their capacity to contribute meaningfully to economic development in the Niger Delta.
