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RSG To Sponsor Bills Against Violence On Women, Childen
Governor Nyesom Wike has disclosed plans by his administration to sponsor new bills and review existing ones towards stemming the tide of violence against women and children.
The governor lamented that there were many frequent and embarrassing cases of rape and indecent assault of very small children whose parents were not ready for prolonged court cases and collected pittances as out of court settlement from offenders.
He called on International Federation of Women Lawyers(FIDA) in the state for special committee to tackle frequent cases of violence by men against women which are often regarded as domestic affairs between spouses by the police.
Wike suggested that FIDA should appoint members who would act as liaison officers and would be present in busy police stations to facilitate speedy dispensation of justice against offenders.
Speaking through his wife, Hon. Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom Wike, at the opening ceremony of the FIDA Law Week 2015 and its National Executive Committee/ Annual General Meeting at the Chief Judge’s Ceremonial Court, State High Court Complex, Port Harcourt, Wike said that he would give the Rivers State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers ( FIDA) Nigeria, his full support.
Our Correspondent reports that the theme of the five- day conference is Making Effective Use Of Legislations To End Violence Against Women.
According to the Governor: “I will do everything in my power and capacity as the Governor of Rivers State to support FIDA and the women of Rivers State. Women can be provocative, it should not be an excuse for men to be violent towards women.
“Our men should be taught to exercise more self control and our women should be less provocative. Men should be the best they can be as husbands so that they can look after their wives, “ he said.
The Governor who believed that there was a lot to be achieved in the raising of children said that the issue of violence against women stemmed from the different upbringing given to the male and female child by parents in the home.
The State Chief Executive maintained that since all religions preached peace , children should be taught peace and how to be accommodating and tolerant so that the society would be better for it.
He called for more collaborative efforts between FIDA and Non Governmental Organizations dealing with actualizations of women’s rights and also advised that FIDA should tilt its advocacy and sensitization programmes more to women of the rural areas, but should not totally ignore the urban women.
Speaking earlier, the Chairperson FIDA Rivers State Chapter ,Mrs. Florence Itamunoala, said that the theme of this year’s NEC meeting was very apt and germane to women lawyers whose most potent weapon for the protection of the rights of women and children are legislations.
The key note speaker of the occasion maintained that violence against women can be put to an end through legislation in the courts.
Also speaking the event, the outgoing national president/country vice president, Mrs. Evelyn Shekarau, said that despite the many achievement of FIDA during her tenure, charged the incoming president not to rest on her oars because the rights of women and girl children are still being violated.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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