Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has organized a Lecture in honour of the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe on her conferment of the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Nigerian Association of Women Journalist ( NAWOJ) is an association whose main focus is on redefining the culture of journalism through bridging of the gender gap in the running of the nation.
The Lecture titled “Service Above Self: The Sarah Ochekpe’s Dynamism “was organized by NAWOJ on Thursday 16th, October, 2014 in Abuja as a testimony of honour well deserved by the recipient having served her Father Land meritoriously. The Lecture was delivered by the Managing Director, AIT Mrs. Tosin Dokpesi who was represented by Mrs. Omolara Owoeye-wise.
Delivering the lecture, Mrs. Dokpesi described the Hon. Minister as an humble woman that has charitable character and always ready to offer valued and reasonable advice to her fellow friends. She added that the Minister has contributed greatly to the Transformation Agenda in the water sector.
Declaring the event open, the NAWOJ President , Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole, said that the 35% affirmation given to women must be applauded as this has afforded opportunity to women like Mrs. Ochekpe to contribute to the national development through her Ministry’s giant strides in the transformation of the Water sector.
“Ochekpe who is being honoured today deserved it because we in the media know those that are working in moving the country forward in their own little ways not minding the security challenges we are facing as a nation”, she explained.
She therefore promised to identify more deserving women who are doing something significant in moving the country forward. She however called on journalists to be more objective in their reports.
She said ”for every story we write, please ensure that we have one Nigeria at the back of our minds”.
In her response, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe commended NAWOJ for choosing her worthy for the honour. She said Mr. President must be commended for the appointment of women with high moral integrity in the drive of his Transformation Agenda.
In her words, “if you look closely at what Mr. President is doing, they are unprecedented in all the sectors because he wants to give a solid base to the economy of the country”, she noted.
She thanked her family, the good people of Plateau State and the entire staff and Management of Federal Ministry of Water Resources for their support for all she has achieved.
“Without you people, I would not be worthy of the (CON) award giving to me by Mr. President”, she said.
Present at the colourful event were, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs (State ) Professor Viola Onwuliri, Director General, Security Exchange Commission (SEC), Aruma Oteh, Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Water Resources Water Resources Baba Umar Faruk, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power , Dr. Godknows Igali, Plateau State Governor, Dr. Jonah Jang represented by Dr. John Madugu and other eminent sons and daughters of Plateau State and the Management and Staff of Federal Ministry of Water Water Resources.
