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By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
Princess (Chief) Mrs Gladys Aghogho Puegeren (nee Egoh), who was appointed by Gov Ifeanyi Okowa as first female permanent secretary from Uwheru Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area, was among personalities that were bestowed with honor at a reception organized by the Uwheru Development Union in conjunction with the palace of Odion r’Ode of Uwheru kingdom, HRM King Agbaovwe Afugbeya Oyise 11.
Also honoured were, Prof Patrick Muoboghare, commissioner, Higher Education, Sir Simeon Ohwofa, APC chieftain/board member, Nigerian College of Aviation, Hon Oghene Emma Egog, House of Representatives, Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Mr Samuel Egube, Lagos State commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Benson Uwheru, consultant, Hon Igho Arhagba, legislative aide and Hon Clement Osieta, SSA to Delta State governor.
In appreciation and joy over the recognition accorded her and other political appointees, she thanked the Delta State governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for her appointment and elevation to the highest echelon of the civil service career.
In a further response to the award, Princess Puegeren focused on the girl-child, stressing that like any other young girl, she was born and bred in Uwheru kingdom, an agrarian community, where she started her primary and secondary school education, and was still able to assist her parents in household chores, farming and fishing which was the predominant occupation of the people.
She enjoined the young ones to emulate her and others who were able to conquer all odds to go to schools and eventually become role models and mentor others today.
According to Princess Puegeren, who is the permanent secretary in the ministry of Oil and Gas, Asaba, education remains the fulcrum of man’s emancipation and the key which opens doors to success in life.
An elated permanent secretary recalled with nostalgia marriage overtures from boys, and because she was focused and had dreams of a better tomorrow, she turned down their demands as there is time for everything including marriage. “I shunned every approach by men and went to school to acquire education before getting married. I was able to study hard. After your studies, men will look for you. Because am educated, men respect me,” she said.
Princess Puegeren implored Uwheru girls that are not privileged to go to school to go into vocational trainings and skills acquisition such as fashion design, hair dressing, make-up, which she said are hot cakes. “For instance before l came to this occasion a lady did the make-up and she was paid for her services,” she said, adding that once a lady has trade and is educated, she cannot be a liability, but a helpmate to the husband.
According to her citation, Princess (Chief) Gladys Puegeren was born on May 5, 1965 to the royal family of late HRH lyowho Hivite Egoh, the late Odion r’Ode of Uwheru Kingdom and Queen Ruth Egoh (nee Yavbieri) both of Delta State.
She attended Udu Primary School, Uwheru and Our Lady’s High School, Effurun and later Uwheru Grammar School where she finished as the best student in her set. She thereafter proceeded to Delta State University, Abraka where she bagged BA (Ed) Honors Degree in English Education and later obtained a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the same university.
Accordingly, her profound educational career was attributed to the vision of her parents who were great teachers and counsellors and whose interest in education was unparalleled. She was also brought up under the tutelage of her father and inspired by the educational pedigree of her elder sister, late Comfort Egoh (MSc Agronomy 1976) of blessed memory who was the first female graduate from Uwheru then.
She tenaciously studied hard and became outstanding in her educational pursuit and strive for excellence in her professional career. She joined the Delta State Civil service and was appointed a permanent Secretary by Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa in 2018, thus being the first female to have attained such heights in Uwheru Kingdom.
She is happily married to Surv. (Chief) Victor Eruoakpofo Puegeren of Orhuwhorun kingdom in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State and the marriage is blessed with lovely children, son in-law and a grandchild, besides the brothers and sisters of Egoh extract and the people of Udu kingdom.
