Eleven Girls in Obubra Receive ₦50,000 Scholarship Grants Each as OWA Commits to Women Empowerment, Honours Etaba

Eleven Girls in Obubra Receive ₦50,000 Scholarship Grants Each as OWA Commits to Women Empowerment, Honours Etaba

The Obubra Women Association (OWA), Calabar Branch, has awarded scholarship grants of ₦50,000 each to eleven vulnerable girls, with one beneficiary drawn from each of the eleven wards in Obubra Local Government Area, in a renewed commitment to promoting education, empowering the girl-child and advancing community development.

The scholarship award ceremony, held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Mile 1 Park, Obubra, also featured the recognition of the Member representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, who served as Chairman of the Occasion and was decorated as Grand Patron of the Association.

The event attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, government officials, women leaders, parents, students and other stakeholders, who gathered to celebrate the beneficiaries and reaffirm their commitment to the education and welfare of vulnerable girls.

In her welcome address, the President of OWA, Ayi Priscilia Oyama expressed delight at the opportunity to support indigenous girls in accessing education, stressing that financial constraints should not become a barrier to the academic aspirations of deserving young girls.

She described education as one of the most important instruments for transforming lives, promoting progress and building a better society, noting that the scholarship initiative was designed to provide vulnerable girls with opportunities to pursue their educational dreams.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Association, Ayi Jane Frank Agbor, described the scholarship initiative as another demonstration of OWA's renewed commitment to supporting vulnerable members of society, noting that the Association was working to expand educational opportunities for the girl-child while strengthening the role of women in community development.

She thanked the guests for honouring the invitation and called for sustained collaboration among women, traditional institutions, government officials and other well-meaning individuals to support initiatives that improve the lives of women and children across Obubra Local Government Area.

In her address, the Founder of the Association, Ayi Helen Marcel Isangha, described the ceremony as a celebration of restoration, unity, hope and a renewed commitment to the women and children of Obubra.

She recalled that the Association had gone through a difficult period which affected its activities and capacity to serve the people effectively. However, she expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to rebuild the organisation and give it a renewed sense of purpose.

According to her, her return to the Association was not motivated by the desire for a name, title or position, but by her firm belief that Obubra women have an important role to play in building a better future for their communities.

She emphasised the need to restore the spirit of sisterhood, cooperation and service among women, noting that investing in the education of vulnerable girls was a practical way to begin a new chapter for the Association.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Grand Patron of the Association and Member representing Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba, commended OWA for its commitment to the education and empowerment of the girl-child.

Etaba expressed gratitude to the Association for decorating him as its Grand Patron and presenting him with an award in recognition of his leadership and commitment to women's empowerment, gender mainstreaming and community development.

The federal lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Association and its initiatives, pledging continued support for programmes that promote education, empower women and girls, and improve the welfare of the people.

He maintained that investing in the education of the girl-child was an investment in the future of communities, stressing that educating and empowering girls would strengthen families, build confident women and create opportunities for sustainable development.

He further commended the leadership and members of OWA, Calabar Branch, for their foresight, compassion and consistency in championing the cause of vulnerable girls, while congratulating the beneficiaries, urging them to remain focused, disciplined and determined in their studies and to make the most out of the opportunity they have gotten to pursue their education. 

Also speaking, the Acting Paramount Ruler of Obubra Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Ovarr Sylvanus Ovat, commended the Association for its investment in the lives of Obubra girls and urged its leadership to sustain the initiative.

The monarch pledged the support of traditional rulers across Obubra Local Government Area, while praying for God's continued blessings and replenishment of the resources of the individuals and organisations whose contributions made the programme possible.

Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Finance in the Ministry of Works, Mr. Philip Oyama, KSM, Mr. Prince Ewona and Mrs Grace Osim also shared their perspectives on the importance of education, women's empowerment and community development and called on the government to continue to prioritize women growth.

Coneri Blog.