Tina Amanda
The wife of Governor of Rivers State, Justice Eberechi Suzette Nyesom Wike, has challenged women to speak out and aspire to be active participants in leadership positions in the state.
Justice Wike who threw the challenge at an event to mark the 2021 International Women’s Day, at the Ministry of Women Affairs Port Harcourt, emphasized that the world has globally developed and women cannot continue to lag behind in politics.
Represented by the National Secretary of FIDA Nigeria, Evelyn Membere-Asimiea, Wike urged women to equip themselves with the right technological know-how, and stop shying away from politics and leadership positions, countering the wide acclaim notion that it is a man’s world.
“We are in a century that women can strive in every sphere of life, we have identified women in politics, we have identified women in the economy sector, in the religious sector, it is no longer business as usual when we feel women cannot take up such positions.
“We put up this challenge for every woman out there to be determined and take up these leadership positions, so we could get good doctors, lawyers, administrators, Governors from the women folks. Whatever aspect, every woman can make it. Whatever skill we desire is already inbuilt, all that is required of us is courage”
In her keynote lecture, Professor Edwina Amah noted that it is eminent to tackle factors that militate against the execution of programs aimed at preparing women for active participation in income generation activities.
“A woman should make up her mind on what she wants to be and work towards it, nobody will give us what we want on a platter of Gold, leadership positions are not for give away but one must be qualified to get it. Today our notable sister, Professor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is occupying a position internationally, and the reason she was appointed, is because none of the contestants had a better Curriculum Vitae than her.
“We owe it to ourselves to develop ourselves and be prepared before the opportunity comes, for us not to be hindered or blame anyone when such leadership position is thrown open to us”.
On her part, Permanent Secretary Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, Barrister Uchechukwu Uriri, urged women to remain focus and resilient in the pursuit of leadership positions, while thanking Governor Nyesom Wike for the inclusion of women in leadership positions in the state.
“The Women should be focused, they should not be perturbed by negative things being said about them because there is nothing you do as a woman that you won’t be criticized, women should be bold at all times and do what is right. Here in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike has remained gender-sensitive, the award he received speaks for itself, the Rivers women are proud of him”
Our correspondent reports that some of the highlights of the event are, presentation of an Award to His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, as “The Most Gender-Sensitive Governor in Nigeria” by WAFAA International Foundation, and free medical outreach for Tetanus Vaccination for Women and Girls during the event.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is: “Women in Leadership Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID 19 World”
In the meantime, Some Women Organizations in Rivers State have advocated for the end of all forms of violence against women and the girl Child that limits them from attaining their goals in life.
State President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria MWAN, Dr Vetty Agala, made the call during a health outreach/ sensitization campaign in collaboration with Deborah’s Cradle, a faith-based organization at Mile one Market, Port Harcourt to commemorate the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration.
According to her, every challenge confronting Women’s well-being, welfare, socio-cultural beliefs, economic growth and health matters require the attention of all.
“We saw this as a need to use the opportunity to talk to women about their reproductive health, their right, for them to know that family planning, antenatal care, being able to educate the girl child, speaking up against violence is important. It was an avenue for us to generally talk to women”
Also, the Founder Deborah’s Cradle, Mrs Manuela Izunwa, said it is really important to bring issues affecting women such as rape, violence, abuse to the front burner.
“In recent times, report on rape, defilement of children, violence, is on the increase, we believe if men and women can be educated together it will help us to begin to mitigate these vices in our society.
“We are also advocating for women to be empowered, is only when a woman is empowered she will have a voice and be able to influence her world, the society should create enabling environment for women, so they can give back to the society.
“We want women to know that they should be their sisters’ keepers, a lot of these obnoxious and pugnacious laws against women are still been perpetrated by fellow Women, such as widowhood right, girl genital mutilation amongst others. We want women to know that they can join their hands together to achieve greater things”
Some participants called for recognition of women as the helpmeet, while calling on the government to give women more opportunities to serve the society by appointing them into positions of authority.
