Women
Odual Women’s Peace Mission
These are not the best of
times for communities across Rivers State and other parts of Nigeria, following the tensions that have continued to build up as a result of the forthcoming general elections.
Indeed, there are palpable fears across the land that the elections may likely generate violence.
Consequently, many communities social groups and even the traditional institutions across the country are now mounting series of peace campaigns in their respective communities and kingdoms.
One of such groups is the women wing of the Odual People Assembly (OPA) which is not left out in the campaign to ensure peace in Odual Communities in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
The president of the women’s wing of the Odual Peoples Assembly, Mrs. Jessey Edeh told The Tide that the women who are all based in Port Harcourt decided that it would be better to go home and tell the youths of the dangers involved in electoral violence.
Edeh said that Odual Kingdom which is made up of nine communities is too small to lose any of its youths in election this time around as successive government in which the people have worked for have not cared to develop the area.
“We felt that as mothers, there is no point sitting in Port Harcourt, so we decided to carry the campaign to the youths in the communities”, she said.
The campaign train which took of from Port Harcourt , the state capital, moved round the whole of the nine communities of Odual Kingdom in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
The first port of call was Odau, then Obedum Emiriopoko and Anya.
The campaign train also moved to Ekunuga Okolomade Emelogo, Adada and Ogboloma communities.
In each of the communities a drama sketch highlighting the dangers of electoral violence and youth restiveness was showcased.
The OPA women boss alerted the large gathering of the people in each of the communities of the dangers of electoral violence.
Explaining that the Association is apolitical and only interested in the welfare of Odual youths, Edeh warned against selling of their permanent voters cards (PVC) as doing that will amount to mortgaging their destiny and the future of their generations.
“We have been marginalized for too long and we are too small to lose my of you”, she pleaded.
She assured that the group will partner with Community Development Committees (CDCs) traditional rulers and chiefs and opinion leaders to pass the message to the youths.
“We have to tell our people to make wise decisions by voting for people that can charge our conditions”, she said.
Also speaking Mrs. Edna Abigo maintained that the mission of the women is for peace in Odual Kingdom “we don’t want any of you to lose your life Odual is too smale to lose you there must be peace during and after the elections”, on his port, the Oolema Odual HRM King Temple Jamalla said that no Odual youth must be used as a sacrificial lamb to advance the interest of any politician.
The monarch who gave the warming when the campaign train visited his palace at Emelego the headquarters of Odual Kingdom described peace as the only anti dot for development in Odual Kingdom.
“Peace and development are intertwined my appeal is that there should be peace and development in Odual”, Jamala advised.
He described the mission of the women as very crucial to the peace and development of Odual Kingdom, adding that his palace would give them full support.
“You are in the right path this Kingdom is proud of you and would be ready to support you to achieve peace in Odual Kingdom.
“I urged you to continue with the path you have chosen to bring peace to Odual”, he said.
For Chief Deacon Tom Omeri Abigo, no bloodshed will be recorded in Odual during the election.
Abigo a former permanent secretary, governor’s office, Port Harcourt, spoke when the women visited Ekunuga his home town.
The senior citizen who is also the head chief of Ekunuga, said the Kingdom is too small to contain any act of violence and restiveness.
He said that for leaving the comfort of Port Harcourt to the communities for campaign, the women have indeed shown that they are the mothers of Odual.
Similarly, former member of the House of Representatives, Barrister Friday Abigo descried the campaign as first of its find in Odual Kingdom.
Abigo said that the issue of peace in Odual was a subject of discussion at the meeting of Odual council of chiefs and a directive has been issued to all town criers in the kingdom to tell the people to work for peace during the elections.
The Oolema of Okolomade, Chief Mondibo James said that the mission of the women would surely bring good things to Odual Kingdom, stressing that the same issue of peace was also disclosed during a meeting with the Divisional Police Office (DPO) incharged of Abua/Odual Division.
The Okolomade Monarch said that, he is happy that the women are on the same mission of peace, adding that indigenes of Okolomde have already been instructed to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during and after the elections.
The same message of support for peace during he elections was echoed by chairmen of the respective Community Development Committee (COC).
The chairman, community development committee of Odau, Mr. Sokari Ikechekwu led the pack of other CDC chairmen in the area to pledge their support for the peace campaign and the assurance to take the message to their people in their respective homes.
The other CDC chairmen include that of Obedum, Mr. Enoch Itoyo, his counterpart at Emirikpoko Stephen Amos and that of Anyu, Chief Godwin Gabriel.
The rest are the CDC chairman of Ekunuga, Mr. Anthony Isaiah Abigo, that of Okolomade Selemi I. Elogho, Emelego Mr. Heart Udidia; and that of Adada community.
They all pledged their support to the peace campaign.
However in the eyes of the public, the mission of the women was a worthwhile venture but its effect will be put to test during and after the elections
Women
What Women Want In Yet-To -Be Husbands
What women want in their yet-to- be husbands matters a lot as far as marriage is concerned.
A woman desires a good fnancial prospect. Interestingly, some modern women place a man’s financial potential as more desirable than they have in the past.
Many decades ago, women ranked it lower on the list. It still comes in after items like love and maturity, but perhaps today’s women realise that a good economic partner is good husband material.
Good health has been an important characteristic for women through the 20th century and remains so these days. One might argue that because we’re living even longer, health plays a huge role in the success of a marriage. Women are anxious to know that their partners are healthy to be able to run the family together.
You discover that in most faith based organisations, would- be couples are mandated to go for medical tests to ascertain their health status as it concerns HIV/AIDS, Genotype and other related ones. This according to stakeholders is to ensure that couples raise healthy families.
Ambition has become less important to women over time, though it still being considered even if women nowadays are thriving in the workforce competing with the male folk. It may be because more women are thriving in the workforce, they want a husband who has earning power but are not looking for him to be the sole provider.
More women want husbands with pleasing disposition. They may not want a man who is always moody. A man who is always cheerful is whom they desire.
Surprisingly, a man’s likes do not rank as high on women’s list of wants as it used to. Until recently, women are more willing to accept a man for who he his, despite the inevitable mood he may be.
Sociability from both men and women rank very high on their marriag material list. And for both sexes, it has been steadily moving up the list for many years. The rise of the “love marriage,” a partnership based on attraction rather than practicalities (like wealth or status) might mean that married couples are more likely to be friends and have mutual circles of friends.
A lot of couples want to associate with others and then socialise. Attending parties of other friends forms part of their marriage requirements.
Women have placed education and intelligence top making it one of their most desirable male traits for decades. This timeline coincides with more and more women receiving college education themselves. Once education becomes important in women’s lives, it is a more attractive trait in potential husbands.
Of course when a woman is educated, she is likely to go for an educated man. When they are gainfully employed, their income boost the family affairs faster.
Today, women are much more attracted to men who are interested in home and family than they ever have been. Men who have desire for their home and children is whom they desire.
After a days job, a man will come home to ensure that his children are comfortable. Because most women today are expecting to be in dual-earner relationships, they want husbands who will be happy and willing to contribute at home. More women today even report that they hope he will take the lead at home.
A woman wants a man who is emotionally stable and mature. Growing big physically is not the issue but maturity in the heart.
Men, too, place a heavy emphasis on a potential wife’s emotional maturity, signaling that it is a key quality for a stable partnership. Women seem to look past appearance to the heart of the matter.
A woman wants a man who is not easily provoked. Dependable character is what some women want in marriage.
Women want husbands that they can count on, and this has not changed in recent years. Yes, women look to their spouses to be lovers and friends, they also want them to be supportive and trustworthy. They want to know that their husbands will be there and remain loyal. Men, too, desire dependable character from their yet-to be wives.
Mutual attraction and love from the first appearance is what they want till they become old.
The highest-rated characteristic women seek from men is mutual attraction and love. Some no longer look for a man who will provide everything, afterall they are also educated and are gainfully employed, they want to be in love.
For some women, even when the man do not provide household needs, the love shown on her is enough. When women had no job prospects and needed to marry, they desired love . The women’s movement has not only helped women pursue careers, it has also given them more choice in love.
Women
Echoes Of IWD : Need To Invest In Women
As this year’s Internatinal Women’s Day (IWD) has come and gone, there are calls from different quarters on the need to invest in women so that we can achieve accelerated growth.
It was, indeed, a thing of joy when Rivers Women Unite For Sim, took delivery of large quantities of sanitary towels and some bags of rice provided them for this year’s celebration.
Many young women expressed joy that they got such gesture since some of them have financial problems getting sanitary towels whenever they are on.
Some secondary school students were also lucky to have a share of the benefits. They also got some sanitary towels.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs organised a platform to celebrate and honour the women for the remarkable jobs they perform in their homes and society.
Addressing women on the occasion, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Roseline Apawari Uranta, noted that women from time immemorial have been great pillars in achieving remarkable heights and stressed that IWD across the globe is pivotal all women for the roles they play in bringing, nurturing and sustaining life.
Dr. Uranta said that IWD, which started in 1911 and celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day that provides women a platform to address economic inclusion, participation in political and public life.
She said the day was set aside to look into lack of access to education for the girl-child, gender-based violence, child marriage, child trafficking, harmful cultural practices as well as other challenges facing women around the globe.
The Hon. Commissioner, who described March 8 as a day to celebrate the socio-economic, cultural and political achievements of women, emphasised that it is a day that offers women the opportunity to reflect on progressive achievements.
Noting that it is an opportunity to call for change, she stressed that it is also an opportunity to celebrate acts of courage and every achievement made by ordinary women who did extraordinary things and are remembered in history.
She noted that the IWD2024 theme:”Invest In Women, Accelerate Progress”, is timely and apt because according to her, to achieve gender equality, we must ensure that the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women do not elude them.
Her words: ” We must see investing in women as a human right issue and consider investing in women as a social tool to eradicate poverty since women are helpmeet in the homes while a handful are breadwinners in their respective families”.
The commissioner urged women to uphold the deliberate act of investing in themselves, be it furthering formal education, developing a new skill as well as learning a trade.
“Shun idleness, always find something positive and productive to do, regardless of your age, social status and financial capabilities”, she said.
In a paper presentation, Dr. Dabota God’swill Jumbo, reiterated that investing in women would attract good and positive dividends to herself and the society at large and noted that it is essential in addressing poverty, hunger and climate change.
The guest speaker said women need more opportunities in elective and appointive positions, hence the need to encourage and support them in politics.
According to her, when you invest in women, they will be able to create safer environment devoid of gender-based violence.
In a goodwill message, the spokesperson, Rivers Women Unite For Sim, Mrs Charity Deemua appreciated the organisers for making it possible for women to gather and celebrate themselves.
She commended those who created a day like March 8 of every year to celebrate women and regretted that the girl-child was seen as a second-class person decades ago.
The former commissioner, Rivers State House of Assembly Commission, described those who taught it wise for women to celebrate as conquerors, tough and strong.
International Association of World Peace Advocates, a world-class organisation with the United Nations, honoured different categories of women.
In Cross River State, 150 women were empowered with about N15m to boost their small and medium scale businesses.
According to stakeholders, the women empowerment is vital in addressing social, economic and political challenges and will make them self-reliant.
An NGO, Association of Professional Women Engineering Technologists (APWET), said it’s aim is to promote professional excellence among engineering personnel, advocating for women and girl-child education.
With what we saw in terms of response to women’s call on issues affecting them from relevant authorities, we are optimistic that the women will do better whenever they are empowered.
If we must kick out cervical, breast and other forms of cancer in women, underage marriage, prostitution, we must invest in women.
There were goodwill messages from National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC, Nigeria Association of Female Journalists (NAWOJ), among others.
By: Eunice Choko-Kayode
News
Women Empowerment, Key Priority Of Fubara’s Govt -Deputy Gov
The Rivers State Government has said that empowerment of women is one of its key priorities.
The Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, stated this during the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration, at the Women Development and Skills Acquisition Centre, Ministry of Women Affairs, Port Harcourt, at the weekend.
Odu described International Women’s Day as a catalyst used to push for women empowerment and assured that their welfare would be boosted by the government.
The deputy governor assured the women them that the state government would live up to its campaign promise by investing in women and advised them to utilise their starter parks whenever they are empowered.
In a keynote address, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Roseline Apawari Uranta, noted that women from time immemorial have been great pillars in achieving remarkable heights and stressed that IWD across the globe is of pivotal essence to celebrate all women for the roles they play in bringing, nurturing and sustaining life.
Uranta said that IWD, which started in 1911 and celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day that provides women a platform to address economic inclusion, limited participation in political and public life.
She described it as a day set aside to look into lack of access to education for the girl-child, gender-based violence, child marriage, child trafficking, harmful cultural practices as well as other challenges facing women in the continent and beyond.
The commissioner, who described March 8 as a day to celebrate the socio-economic, cultural and political achievements of women, emphasised that it is a day that offers women the opportunity to reflect on progressive achievements.
Nothing that it is an opportunity to call for change, she stressed that the Day is also an opportunity to celebrate acts of courage and every achievement made by ordinary women who did extraordinary things and are remembered in history.
She described this year’s IWD theme:”Invest In Women, Accelerate Progress”, as timely and apt because according to her, to achieve gender equality, we must ensure that the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women do not elude them.
She said, “We must see investing in women as a human right issue and consider investing in women as a social tool to eradicate poverty since women are help-mates in the homes while a handful are breadwinners in their respective families”.
Uranta urged women to uphold the deliberate act of investing in themselves both in formal education, developing a new skill as well as learning a trade.
“Shun idleness, always find something positive and productive to do, regardless of your age, social status and financial capabilities”, she advised.
In a paper presentation, the guest speaker, Dr. Dabota Godswill Jumbo, reiterated that investing in women would attract good and positive dividends to herself and the society at large and noted that it is essential in addressing poverty, hunger and climate change.
She said women need more opportunities in elective and appointive positions, hence the need to encourage and support them in politics.
According to her, when you invest in women, they will be able to create safer environment where women will dwell devoid of gender-based violence.
In a goodwill message, the spokesperson, Rivers Women Unite For Sim, Mrs Charity Deemua, appreciated the organisers for making it possible for women to gather and celebrate themselves.
She commended those who created IWD to celebrate women and regretted that the girl-child was seen as a second-class person decades ago.
The former commissioner, Rivers State House of Assembly Commission, described those who taught it wise for women to celebrate as conquerors, tough and strong.
There were goodwill messages from National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC, Nigeria Association of Female Journalists (NAWOJ), among others.
Eunice Choko-Kayode
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