OUR MISSION

Ateko Women Association is a non-governmental and a non-profit making Association of some Igala women. Rather than being passive when women from other parts of the world are contributing towards the development of their areas, we in this group, having the potentials and interest of our land at heart, decided to come together to form this group called ATEKO meaning HELP in the Igala language. Our aim is to render help (ATEKO) to the Igala girl/child in the area of Education.

This Association was registered in 2001.

Majority of us are wives, mothers and of different professions, gainfully employed. We enjoy the consent and support of our husbands and parents in the pursuit to serve our land with our time and resources. To be a member, you have to be a graduate of a University or a Polytechnic and Igala by birth or marriage.

Moved by the experiences of some of us who schooled in Igala land, we discovered we never had access to counselling as to the professions we are in today. Rather, we got there by chance and not by choice. This has influenced our decision to go into the area of career counselling in our secondary schools, to be specific. In this era of professionalism and increasing sophistication in our external environment, the significance of career counselling cannot be over emphasized. We see it as a duty to share with our sisters at home, the knowledge we have by enlightening them on how to discover themselves and what they are talented in. We intend to encourage them to take up challenging careers like piloting, medicine, pharmacy e.t.c. which traditionally are believed to be challenging to the women. To counsel them also on the importance of marriage as an institution and to let them know that some of us here acquired education in marriage.

In line with these objectives, we have in recent times held career talks in Ayangba, Ankpa and Idah Local Government Areas. The responses to these were so overwhelming. Realizing the damaging effects of HIV/AIDS on our youths in secondary schools, we included talks on the disease. Health talks like these will be a continuous input in all our programmes. Problems like lack of teaching materials and offices were highlighted by the career guidance and counselling teachers, where at all they are available. The students exhibited a lot of willingness and we already feel welcomed and appreciated.

Moved again by the absence of educational facilities in the ministry of Mercy Home in Otutulu, an Orphanage home in Kogi State, we set up an in-house educational programme by provision of tables, chairs, blackboards, sewing machines, books, e.t.c. In addition to these, we have also donated books and writing materials to secondary schools directly and through the ministry of education.

We have a temporary office in Agbeji where these skeletal services are coordinated with a staff to man it.

Voluntary service is the order of the day all over the world. Today’s woman is a combination of a career woman, wife, and mother and in addition to these has responsibilities she owes the society. The Igala woman is not to be left out. We are not the first or only group of female graduates Igala land has produced. We have graduates who have achieved personal success and despite tremendous obstacles, worked to remove those obstacles for other women. Such women, who we need not mention, are our role models and we commend them for their own contributions in whatever form to the development of our land. We aim to compliment their early efforts and look up to them for their support and encouragement. For those who are graduates and are yet to identify with any form of voluntary service, we urge them to come and make their own impact. To educate a woman is to educate a nation. Individually, and collectively, we can make our land a place of pride for future generations. Let us be the agents of change in our land. We must appreciate the efforts of our foreign groups and individuals who have contributed greatly to the educational development of our land. Despite the fact that we continue to need their support, we must not leave it to them alone.

Worthy of mention are other female groups who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of our land. We commend the efforts of individual women achievers who may not have seen the four walls of a classroom but yet have made their own contributions as mothers and role models in their communities. This goes to show that education is not the only way to serve and succeed, which is why alternative arrangements are being provided for vocational activities in our proposed center. We already have the blessing and support of such women.

We will not leave out our men who have been our source of inspiration. We aim at playing supportive roles in the homes and whatever course they believe in. Their achievements as groups and individuals especially in the area of education have been very glaring, but time will not permit us to go into details. This Association, being the first of its kind in the land cannot do it alone. We live with men privately and professionally and it is only with their support that we can rise to the challenges ahead.

If voluntary service is the order of the day, Ateko has decided to start their service from home. We have the support and blessing of our Royal Father (the Attah Igala) when we paid him a courtesy call recently.

Our girls need to identify and believe in their strengths and capabilities and in so doing, with the support of their husbands and parents be in good positions where they can make their own contributions.

To realize this goal, we plan to build a career counselling and vocational center in Agbeji, on a large piece of land donated by a member’s family (The IDALUBA Family) where our activities will

take place. Details of the planned center will be revealed during the proposed launching of the Association.

We intend to run a radio programme on career, guidance and counselling which is to be broadcast weekly in Igala land in both English and Igala Languages.

Lastly, plans are underway to sponsor excelling female students.

To take care of future growth of the Association, we have plans of accommodating our sisters all over the country many of whom have already indicated interest in joining.

Presently, we have MRS. RUTH ATABO in Abuja coordinating activities within the Abuja area, HAJIA RAMATU ALI-ABDULKARIM –co-ordinator, Kaduna, MRS FATIMA ALFA-co-ordinator, United States, and MRS. PATRICIA FEMI-DAGUNRO-co-ordinator, Germany.

Our journey so far has not been easy. Amidst trials we have forged ahead because we believe in ourselves, in our mission and in you. Together we can achieve our desired goal. To say we can achieve much without the support of the government, corporate bodies, other NGOs and good-spirited individuals may be a dream that may never come true. So far, these activities mentioned have been funded through dues and contributions of members.

We intend to formally launch the Association sometime in the near future. An invitation letter will be sent to you in due course. We hereby attach an information sheet on the Association and count on your support.

This is our vision and mission. Ours is a long-term mission and you can be rest assured that we will not relent in our efforts to succeed. We are willing to identify with any group and individual, male or female who share the same vision for the development of Igala land.

Thank you.

As Presented by:

Mrs. Aisha Ali-Ibrahim - President, Ateko Women Association.

MRS. TAIYE ATAGUBA – DOHERTY and MRS. ALELO ABOGEDE – AGUNWAH, two of our members who live and work in the United States, coordinate our international activities.