Summit For Rivers Women In Politics Underway

Wife of Rivers State Governor Dame Judith Amaechi in collaboration with the ministry of Women Affairs have set up a 17-man local organising committee to plan a summit for women in politics in Rivers in order to secure effective participation of women in 2011 elections.

Addressing members of the LOC during the inauguration, Dame Judith Amaechi said the planned women in politics summit was necessitated by the federal government support for the 35 percent affirmative action for women in elective position and to consolidate on the success of the national summit on women in politics organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

The committee which was set up at Government House will appraise the outcome of the just-concluded women summit in Abuja.

Mrs Amaechi, who chairs the committee charge members to plan and organise the women in the summit, rekindle and sensitise them in politics in the state and ensure the realisations of the 35 percent affirmative gender participation.

Responding on behalf of members of the LOC, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Manuel Izunwa said the time has come for the women to occupy their pride of place in the political equation of the country.

She said the committee is determined to mobilise credible Rivers women to seek elective position in 2011 election.

Other members of the committee include the wife of the Deputy Governor, Dr Mina Ikuru, permanent secretary, ministry of women affairs, Dr Pat Ogbonnaya and chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Hon Felicia Barizazee. Others are Hon. Betty Apiafi member of the Federal House of Representatives, Mrs. Grace Woke, Secretary of Wives of Chairmen of local government, Rivers State and President, National Council of Women Society, Dr LongJohn.

The LOC members also include chairman, international federation of Female Lawyers, Barrister Florence Fiberesima, Leader, Women Wing of PDP, Rivers State, Madam Justina Emeji, Mrs Odede, Mrs Comfort Iragunima and Kindness Egbelu. The rest are Her Royal Majesty, Queen Florence Amachree, Mrs Mary Allogoa and Head of Service, Rivers State, Mrs Esther Anucha who will serve as the secretary of the committee.