Women

South South Women Brainstorm In PH …Set Agenda For NCOWA Meeting

Published

5 years ago

June 4, 2021

A four-day pre-council zonal workshop by the Ministry of Women Affairs of the South- South region has ended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The workshop with the theme:”Gender Equality:A Panacea For Enduring Security And Sustainable Economic Recovery In The Post Covid-19 Era”, attended by Directors of the six states that make up South-South ge-opolitical zone of Nigeria took place at the auditorium of Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, Eastern By-pass,Port Harcourt.
This is the first time the pre-council zonal meeting is taking place in Port Harcourt.
Declaring the workshop open,the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs,Amb. Anthonia Akpabio Ekpa said the workshop focused on the medium term national development plan and the preparation of council memoranda towards the upcoming 21st National Council on Women Affairs meeting holding later in the year.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented at the occasion by Lady Ngozi Roseline Obinna commended delegates for the passion,dedication, unity and energy exhibited prior and during the workshop to achieve collective goals.
She enumerated the thematic areas for the memoranda for the 21st National Council of Women Affairs meeting to be “Gender mainstreaming, Empowerment of Women and Protection and Promotion of reproductive health and sexual rights of women.
Other thematic areas are protection and promotion of child participation, survival and welfare, social protection of the vunerable, poverty alleviation and social inclusion amongst others.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, Barr. (Mrs) Uchechukwu Uriri commended delegates for attending the workshop and thanked the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for his benevolence for ensuring that the workshop took place under a conductive environment.
She noted that it was the hallmark of the administration in providing good leadership and unprecedented display of support to women in the political, economic and social fronts in the state.
She encouraged delegates to rub minds together, put in their best and come up with appropriate decisions that are best for the zone.
Delivering the paper on the Conceptual Analysis of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA’s) Mandate in Relation to the Medium Term National Development Plan 2025,Mr Tommy of FMWA, Abuja,said,the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs by its mandate is charged with the responsibility of formulating policies, implementing projects and programmes aimedat improving the lives and livelihood of women, children and other vunerable groups in Nigeria.
Consequently, the Ministry collaborates with relevant stakeholders, MDA’s at the national levels and at the 36 states of the federation as well as development partners to achieve these onerous tasks.
He enumerated the strategic policy mandates of the ministry towards the Medium Term National Development Plan 2021-2025 to include most aspects of social development, putting people first and leaving no one behind, removing all barriers towards attaining self sufficiency in an inclusive manner with shared responsibility for poverty reduction, prevention and containment.Mainstreaming gender across all sectors for improved accountability, social system and protection for the vunerable amongst others.
Furthermore,he highlighted the role of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the federal government, which includes the Economic Sustainability Plan as Covid-19 pandemic stimuli which aims at mitigating effects of a deep recession, while ensuring social stability and addressing long standing economic vulnerabilities occasioned by the Covid-19 lockdown.
The federal ministry, he noted is involved in job creation scheme by providing equipment for voational skill training in the six geopolitical zones and being involved in post Covid-19 innovation and empowerment series for women amongst others.
He also disclosed the ministry ‘s deliverables in the implementation of federal government’s nine priority areas aimed at improving health,education and productivity of Nigerians.
The deliverables include collaboration with the Ministry of Education to increase girl-child enrolment, retention and completion of basic education, collaboration with the Ministry of Health to eradicate harmful traditional practices on women and girls including female mutilation and active collaboration with the private sector to create a large number of well paying jobs.
Other deliverables in the federal government nine priority areas which aims at enhancing social inclusion by scaling up social investments include activation of an action plan to promote political, social and economic participation of girls and women in Nigeria, advocate for the domestication of the Child Rights Acts by all states of the federation.
Others include to conduct a review and propose amendments to legislation to ensure gender equality and end all forms of discrimination against girls and women,collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement economic empowerment programmes for women amongst others deliverables.
Participating states submitted memoranda for dicussion and for onward presentation at the 21st National Council on Women Affairs meeting holding later in the year.
In separate interviews at the end of the workshop, participants expressed optimism that the knowledge gained at the workshop was immeasurable. They promised to utilize the knowledge in enhancing the operations in the various states.
For Mrs Faith Okpohmorho, Diector, Women Affairs in the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs,Community and Social Development said that “the workshop has enlightened us further to develop our memos in line with what the federal government is doing towards the empowerment of women in Delta State.
Also, Mrs Irenonsen Joy Ikensekhien, Director, Gender Issues in the Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues said that the workshop has helped provide tecnical support for her state to ensure that memos are presented in line with the four thematic areas of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Abuja.
In her own view, Mrs Mary Atan,Director, Child Development in the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Women Affairs said the workshop has afforded her the benefit of interacting with other delegates to compare notes on what they are doing concerning women development and empowerment.

By: Ibinabo Ogolo

Women

Who Is A Classic Woman?

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

A classic woman is one who has identified herself in terms of fashion, occupation or the kind of business she does.

A woman can be classical in the way she entertains her audience in terms of music and movies. You will discover that some female musicians are identified with the kind of music they sing.

A classical woman is one who always wants to appear trendy.

Generally, classical women are normally identified with the kind of things they are involved in.

There are ladies that want to be identified with wearing of shorts (short trousers) in the public. They use it to showcase their beauty. They want to be identified with such things as they see it as socialisation.

Some wear trousers that are so tight just to showcase all the curves they possess.

Consultant stylists and etiquette experts say some fashions won by some persons are inappropriate because of how and when they are won.

A classic woman is supposed to dress properly. She should be able to wear clothes that will not expose hidden parts of her body. When such occurs, then it is indecent dressing.

Ladies should be known for two things, classical and beauty. One can be classic with minimisation. The minimum woman should go is to look good, decent and presentable.

Some ladies like wearing short skirts but no matter how short the skirt is, it should look elegant. The skirt should not be too short like the mini-skirt.

Dressing or fashion depends on the environment the persons finds herself. The kind of clothes won to the office may be different from the one won at home. Likewise, a dress won to a party may be different from the one won too swimming pool.

For one to look classical or decent, body shape should be taken into consideration.

Colours of a particular fashion can make one look odd or nice. Looking model does not mean that one should go naked or dull.

Don’t wear clothes that you need to drag from time to time in order not to expose yourself.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

Women

Emohua Widows Receive Items From Ogbakor Ikwerre California

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

The Tide

A Non-Governmental Organization, (NGO) Ogbakor Ikwerre,California, DBA, Ikwerre Community Association, California, through it’s outreach projects has donated food items to over 300 Widows in Rumuekpe and Rumuji in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Speaking during the handover of the items to the women leaders of the communities in Emohua, yesterday, the team leader of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Community Association in California, Dr Christiana Chukumati, said that the donation is an annual event that has been on since 2014.

According to her, the NGO is donating the items among the four local government area of Ikwerre adding that this year is for widows in Rumuekpe and Rumuji communities.

“Today is Rumuekpe and Rumuji communities, next we are going to another Ikwerre local government area also.

” The NGO has been carrying on the activities since 2014 within the

Ikwerre communities”, Dr Chukumati said.

She thanked the Royal father of Rumuekpe, His Royal Highness, Golden Amb. Christian Amadi, Eze Chigu and the Royal Highness of Rumuji and Odegu Kingdom, Ohna Christian Okachineke Elechi Newe-Eli (the xv) for receiving them in their communities.

The team leader also promised the Royal Highness that whenever the NGO has any other items for the communities, she we do well to bring it to them.

Receiving the Ogbakor Ikwerre Community Association in California in Rumuekpe, His Royal Highness Golden Christian Amadi, praised the NGO for funding his clan among the communities.

According to the Highness, my community is the only oil producing community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, adding that his community is feeding the local government area, the state and the nation.

“I thank my children over there in California for remembering the widows in my Kingdom for the food items they brought.

” I pray to God to help them to do also to other Ikwerre communities.

” I want to tell them also that Rumuekpe Kingdom is till undeveloped.

” As you can see the community is nothing to show to the people, I want to beg the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Rivers State government to come to our aid to develop our community. We are underdeveloped”

“God will bless my children over there in California”, His Royal Highness Amadi prayed.

In her words, the women leader of Rumuekpe community, Comfort Njoku, said that she was happy for the gift items given to them adding that it is not easy to remember the widows.

She explained that in Rumuekpe, the widows have not seen such a gift before and prayed that is only God that will reward them.

“I want to thank the Ogbakor Ikweree Community Association in California for giving us this items in this festival. We thank God for them and the leader of the group, Mrs Chukumati.

” What we received today we have not seen it in our community before for widows”, Mrs Njoku stated.

Meanwhile, in Rumuji community, His Royal Highness, Ohna Christian Okachineke Elechi, said that he lacked words to thank the Ogbakor Ikwerre Community Association in California for the gift to the widows in his communities.

According to him, today is historic in the history of Rumuji community that our children in oversea can remember us, I am very excited and happy over the items.

“I feel very very happy, it is good that our children recognize the widows in my community today.

” I did not know them before but now I know them, I pray to God Almighty to pay them back for their effort and that they will not lack.

“I pray God to continue to bless them in whatever things they are doing” he stated.

Earlier, the oldest woman in Rumuji community, Nletem Josiah, who spoke in her local language interpreted by the woman leader, Agor Leah Onugbom, thanked the Ogbakor Ikwerre Community Association in California for the gift adding that her husband died many years ago that has caused her hardship.

” In my age and these people come and give me these food items, is only God that will bless them for me.

” This Xmas I will eat and be happy so I want to thank them and that my God, God will bless them for me”, Mama Josiah said.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Women

When Rivers Women Pray

Published

3 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital went agog when women from all the local government areas of Rivers State came together for a prayer conference themed: “Women Converge 2025”.

The programme in it’s second series, which held at the Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre was put together by the Rivers Women Unite For Sim, a foundation that is nurtured by the women of Rivers State for prayers to God for the peaceful and smooth running of the state.

Like a delegate conference, the Civic centre was filled to the brim with women dressed in white attires. They sang, danced and prayed to God for sustenance of peace in Rivers State while reaffirming their support for Governor Sim Fubara and his wife, Lady Valerie.

Women Converge With the sub-theme, “Women In An Evolving World”, explains the actions and strategies that the women use in fitting and succeeding in the digital and technical era that is very competitive.

During political rallies and campaigns, with their drummers, beautifully dressed, showcase their dancing steps to entertain audience.

In everything one does in the earthly world, prayers is key. Prayer, they say conquers. Women have been conquering many odds with prayers, and God answers whenever they pour out their minds concerning issues.

Of course, due to their nature, women have always been in the forefront of championing prayers, garnering supports for those in authority, taking care of their families as well as coping with their job careers.

Since the inception of the current administration, women have been relentless in ensuring that peace reigns in the Rivers state through prayers so 2025 edition of the Women Converge which is the second edition recorded huge success.

Speaking at the ceremony, the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, commended Rivers women whose continuous prayers have impacted on the state and appreciated the support by the women to the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

She described Rivers women as wonderful for the support both in prayers and solidarity to her family.

She described Women Converge 2025 as another milestone in an effort to shape the society for good and support for the sustenance of peace and development in Rivers State.

According to her, let me enjoin our women to remain prayerful because God is ever ready to answer our prayers. In all that we do, we must not forget the hand of God and seek him for direction and help. You have always been steadfast and I urge you not to relent and together we will move our society forward.

Describing the theme, “Women Converge 2025, Women In An Evolving World”, as apt, she said it is a reflection of the very essence of actions and strategies that women adapt in navigating the new world order.

She said that despite the complexities of managing the home front and the constraints of economic realities, women had demonstrated formidable strength and resilience to confront the odds of life.

In her words, “This event underscores the resilience of our women to succeed no matter the odds, especially with absolute faith in God and determination for greater accomplishments”.

“Whether in the industry, business, agriculture, public service or even in politics, they have always shown strong determination to adapt and to accomplish like others”, she maintained.

A guest speaker at the event, the founder and medical director of Save A Live medical centre, Dr. Okoye, told women to always take wise decisions in things concerning maternal and infant mortality.

The medical expert reiterated that women should not misunderstand the biblical idea of “you will deliver like the Hebrew women”.

He advised women to take instructions from medical experts concerning pregnancy and child birth as those will go a long way in saving their lives and advised the women not to patronize quacks.

In a goodwill message, the former Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Roseline Konya, expressed hope that the peace women have been praying for is already yielding positive result.

The President of Port Harcourt Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHACCIMA, Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, spoke on the sustenance of peace in Rivers State as that will move the state to greater height.

Also speaking at the

Women Converge, Pastor Ene Secondus, enjoined women to continue to pray for peace and it’s sustenance in Rivers State.

One of the guest speakers, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze, during the intercessory prayers said women are the foundation of the society and explained that development of any society depends on the strength of womanhood.

The wife of the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Christie Toby, a daughter of Rivers State, Ann Kio Briggs also graced the occasion.

Apart from the prayer session, women from different local government areas showcased different kinds of food items in their various canopies and stands.

The Okrikans and in fact the Riverine extraction, in a food exhibition displayed fishes, crayfish, oporo (prawn), periwinkle( isam).

The women from Etche and Omuma decorated their tables with agricultural products like Garri, fufu, vegetables (okashi ala), plantain, bananas etc.

The Ekpeyes and Ogbas were not left out as they displayed their own food crops like fish, garri, fufu and the likes.

Women from Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas came with their food stuffs.

By: Eunice Choko-kayode