Governor Chibuike Amaechi says the state government was ready to award more women scholarships to study overseas.
Addressing a forum of Local Government Female elected Executives and State Legislators Forum accompanied by wife of the Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi during  a solidarity visit on the governor at Government House, Port Harcourt at the weekend, Amaechi stressed that the scheme will cut across party inclinations.
“The state government will be ready to give scholarship to women to study overseas. I want a transparent process that will throw up young poor people. We just want Rivers girls because it is important that our women are educated, so that, we stop all these things, you people say, ‘women oyeah’. In a democratic setting, you take power by coming out to campaign and when that is done, you are then sure of the 30 per cent. This time is not for sharing money. Go home, local government area by local government area, start mobilizing your fellow women, from your usual small meetings, in your units and cells, and start mobilizing and expanding,” Amaechi said.
He added, “ it doesn’t have to be APC members alone. We just need Rivers girls and women to go for studies abroad”.
Governor Amaechi called on women in the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) to actively participate in politics and win elective positions in the upcoming 2015 elections.
He said there was no law in Nigeria that prohibits women from holding elective positions when voted by the electorate.
According to him, “You are qualified to hold positions men hold. Men always gather women to do the “Oyeah” to get elective positions. And, I told my wife, if you look at the voting pattern in Nigeria, the actual people who vote are women. So, why can’t women take power from men? What you can’t take away from them is that, men are your husbands. There is no law in Nigeria prohibiting women from becoming governors or presidents.”
He said, “You have been intimidated, and you have to first and foremost liberate yourselves as women who are ready for politics.
“There is a woman who I have told to contest for chairmanship position in her local government area, and she said, they will not allow me, and I asked her, how do you know? You have to come out, there is no need asking for help or to say please, give us 30 per cent affirmative for women. Come out on your own, by the time you come out, you will see that you will surely get the 30 per cent you are looking for. What politicians do is to bring out money, hold meetings, and mobilize people, especially women. And, if you do that, you will also get elected.”
He advised the women to resist attempts by the PDP to use police or military to intimidate or influence the 2015 elections.
“We hear, PDP will use the police and military to rig the 2015 elections. But, do you know how to stop them? On the day of the election, let all the women come out, if the police or military want to shoot.. If it is men, they will fight, but as women, dress in your traditional attire and come out for the election and vote, they can’t stop you. So, the women need to come out and take power. What I am telling you here is that, you need to assert your number, whether you are from Kalabari, Ikwerre, Okirika, Ogu/Bolo, Ogoni or Opobo, you need to establish yourselves, unit by unit. That way, you can tell us, ‘I want to run for election’, if you win your primaries, the party will support you.”
Governor Amaechi further said, his administration was ready to support the Women Empowerment Scheme achieve its target.
“I hear you are doing a project to support women. This administration will support your women empowerment scheme. Appointment positions are not too important, what is important are elective positions. Mobilize enough women to support you. You need to show the capacity to deliver your local government area, and once you do that, nobody has the right to ignore you.
Earlier, wife of the Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi commended the governor for building grounds that has made women a focal point in his administration, especially, the model primary and secondary schools built by his administration in the nooks and crannies of the state to give free education to Rivers people. She also indicated the readiness of the women to preach peace, unity and progress, while thanking Governor Amaechi for being a pillar of support to women in the state.
Also speaking, Coordinator of the Local Government Elected Executives and Legislators Forum in Rivers State and Chairperson, Ogu-Bolo Local Government Council, Dame Maureen Tamuno commended Governor Amaechi on his developmental strides and achievements, especially his support to women in the 2011 elections that led to the emergence of 37 female councilors, four female vice-chairmen and one female executive chairman of council.
According to her, “Today marks another milestone in the political space of Rivers State, as we symbolically represent the new Rivers women, to renew our bond of friendship, loyalty, commitment and submission to you and our dear party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC). We wish to express our immense gratitude to you and your dear wife, our sister, friend and mother, Dame Judith Amaechi for all the support and help we and other women have enjoyed at your hands. We also commend you for your giant development strides in the state, particularly in education, health, roads, power generation, women, youth empowerment, job creation and agriculture sectors.”
An Award of Honor was also presented to Governor Amaechi by the Female Executives and Legislators Forum, Rivers State during the visit.