Georgia legislators honor Nigerian advocate in Atlanta, Dr. Queen Blessing Itua

Karen Bennett and Queen Blessing Itua

The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus has honored a Black gender and development advocate for her humanitarian works across the globe.

The lawmakers considered Dr. Queen Blessing Itua worthy of the award for her sacrifices, brilliance, and selflessness.

Queen Blessing Itu and Georgia State Senator Valencia Seay

The award, Mother of Distinction, followed the Lifetime Achievement Award President Barack Obama gave her in 2017.

Her humanitarian effort centers on empowering Africans to move out of poverty and other social ills in the world.

Through her NGO, the Global Empowerment Movement (GEM), Itua has been leading advocacy efforts in eradicating human trafficking, promoting entrepreneurship, and women empowerment not only in Africa but also across the world.

Apart from campaigns and policy-making contributions, parts of Itua’s advocacy tools are; a book and movie she wrote and produced to shed more light on the issue of human trafficking and poverty.

The title of her latest book is ‘We Are the Blessing of Africa”, and it was launched at the UN Headquarters in New York in March. The movie, Mrs. Adams, was premiered same month during the Commission on Women Status at the last UN’s Unity and Diversity event.

The Nigerian-American has been working with national governments and world bodies in encouraging gender equality and development.

Amongst organizations, she has worked with are the UN, Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs, Africa Union Sixth Region USA, and the African in the Diaspora.

Georgia State district 4 Henry County Commissioner, Vivian Thomas said she was privileged to work with Itua in the effort to end poverty and human trafficking.

One of Georgia’s statesmen Dr. Joe Beasley also spoke on Itua’s dedication and passion that made her deserving of the award.

Itua comes from Edo, in the southern part of Nigeria.

Queen Blessing Itua and the Georgia Representative Billy Mitchell

(L-R) Georgia State Representative Donna McLeod, Dr. Queen Blessing Itua, Representative Karen Bennett, the Chair of the Georgia State Legislative Black Caucus.