The Executive Director, Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sir Victor Antai, KJW, PhD, on Friday, January 9, 2026, alongside his wife, Adorable Queen Edu Victor Antai, hosted women of Oro Federal Constituency at his residence in Oron, Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, in a landmark gathering that combined political mobilisation, women empowerment advocacy, and a renewed call for education driven development and unity in Oro Nation.

Addressing the gathering, Adorable Queen Edu Victor Antai began by thanking God for the success of the event, describing the occasion as divinely ordained. She said the meeting was more than a social convergence, noting that “this is not just another gathering; it is a defining moment for love, unity, and collective decision making ahead of the next general election.” She explained that the women were not only gathered to celebrate the new year and strengthen solidarity, but also to take a firm stand on leadership choices that would shape the future of Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State, adding that “we are here to affirm our resolve on who will lead us, because leadership determines the direction of our children and our nation.”

Declaring support for continuity in leadership, she said the path forward was already clear, noting that the women had found renewed faith and hope in the leadership of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whom she described as deserving of a second term based on his reform driven agenda, infrastructure development, and commitment to national economic renewal. She also expressed unwavering support for the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, stressing that “continuity in leadership will consolidate peace, deepen development, and guarantee inclusive governance across Akwa Ibom State and the Niger Delta.”

Speaking on behalf of Okobo Local Government Area women, Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey, former Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, thanked God for the successful gathering and described the event as historic. According to her, “gathered here today are the who is who in women politics in Oro Nation and beyond.” She noted that love and shared purpose were the forces that brought the women together and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno, saying that “their leadership has created the peace and political stability that made this gathering possible.” Likening the women to a broom, she said “a broom is only strong when it is united,” and urged them to see their Permanent Voter Cards as powerful tools, stressing that “with our PVCs, we will decide leadership from the presidency down to the state level in the best interest of Oro Nation and Nigeria.”

Adding to the momentum, Rt. Hon. Precious Selong, Member representing Urue Offong Oruko State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, thanked Sir Victor Antai and his wife for bringing Oro women under one umbrella. She stated that “we are resolved to walk one political line, from the presidency to the Senate and down to the state,” noting that Oro women were ready to mobilise, campaign, and work tirelessly to ensure victory for their chosen leaders.

For Udung Uko Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Kenim Onofiok, Member representing Oron Udung Uko State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, said the gathering symbolised restoration and unity, attributing the renewed togetherness to the leadership of Governor Pastor Umo Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom he described as “leaders who have chosen to rebuild what was broken and restore us to a common path.” He reminded the women that “the only party driving this collective vision today is the All Progressives Congress,” urging total loyalty and mobilisation.

Speaking for Oron Local Government Area, Mrs. Sarah Efretuei charged the women to replicate the unity and organisation witnessed at the meeting in their homes, churches, markets, wards, and polling units, urging them to keep everyone informed and stressing that “until we win, the work is not over.”

On behalf of Mbo Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, Special Adviser to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, said Oro women were visibly happy and energised by the gathering. She thanked Sir Victor Antai and his wife, noting that “this gathering is not only successful but historic,” and appealed for collective support for Sir Antai, stating that “if we remain united, we will attract more development to Oro Nation.”

Also speaking, Lady Atim Okpoyo, wife of a former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, led the women into what she described as “a spiritual covenant of unity,” and moved a motion that all Oro women should stand together under one purpose and one direction. The motion was seconded by Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong and affirmed by Rt. Hon. Princess Felicia Bassey, receiving overwhelming approval from the gathering.

In his address, Sir Victor Antai began by thanking God for the success of the meeting and used the occasion to commend the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, PhD, noting that “she has magnanimously unified the women of Oro and helped stabilise the administration of Pastor Umo Eno, ensuring that the dividends of democracy are felt across Akwa Ibom State.” He further reaffirmed that “as Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi remains the political leader of Oro Nation.”

Sir Antai underscored the critical role of women in nation building, stating that “when you empower women, you empower the nation,” and shared personal reflections on his upbringing, revealing that his mother was not formally educated and his father was a missionary nurse, yet their sacrifices laid the foundation for his success. He described the event as deeply emotional, saying it symbolised reunification, recalling that “when I moved with Senator Godswill Akpabio to the APC, many women stopped talking to me because of political differences, but today that divide has been healed,” adding that the gathering demonstrated that unity was possible despite past disagreements.

Emphasising education, Sir Antai urged mothers to prioritise their children’s training regardless of circumstances, declaring that “the future of Oro Nation is in education.” He cited the Ibaka Deep Sea Port, initiated during Senator Akpabio’s tenure as governor and currently being pursued by Governor Umo Eno, as an opportunity that would require skilled manpower, stating that “if my mother could do it as a food vendor, you too can train your child.” He highlighted the growing importance of specialised and future driven education in fields such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, data science, software engineering, renewable energy technology, maritime and port management, robotics, mechatronics, and biomedical engineering, assuring the women that “there is a solution for every child.”

He disclosed that the Oro Educational Endowment Committee was already receiving interest and announced that “the portal for the next batch of the NDDC postgraduate scholarship will open in May, covering both local and foreign studies,” urging parents to inform their children to take advantage of the opportunity and revealing that “so far, I have personally helped facilitate the admission of 12 sons of Oro Nation for foreign postgraduate studies.”

Sir Antai outlined development strides across the area, including road and bridge projects, solar street lighting, and the Oro electrification project involving poles, transformers, armoured cables, and conversion from 11kva to 33kva capacity. Acknowledging resistance in some quarters, he maintained that “in all I do, Oro comes first, and with your support, we will do more.” He thanked his wife for her unwavering support and peace over the years and appreciated the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, PhD, for institutional support.

In a strong political declaration, Sir Antai pledged total support for the re election of Governor Pastor Umo Eno in Oro Nation, stating that “whoever fights Pastor Umo Eno in Oro will have me to contend with.” He also declared firm support for President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, asserting that “President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio will return for second terms, not just with our support but with our votes.”

The event attracted a large turnout of women leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs, professionals, community organisers, as well as present and past political office holders from across Oro Federal Constituency and beyond, underscoring the growing influence of women in the political and developmental trajectory of the area.

(c) Media Unit,
Office of the EDP, NDDC