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RSG Empowers 300 Widows …Wike, A Caring Governor – Banigo
Dr. Banigo (2nd left), being welcomed by the Rivers State Widows Association, from the 23 local government areas of the State, during the 2015 International Widows Day celebration /Empowerment programme in Port Harcourt
In keeping with its election promises to enhance the economic wellbeing of women in Rivers State, the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has empowered over 300 widows across the 23 local government areas of the state.
This is part of activities commemorating Wike’s 100 days in office.
The empowerment scheme was organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs,on Friday at the Ministry of Justice Auditorium, Rivers State Secretariat, Port Harcourt.
Presenting the cash to the widows, Wike, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, said the exercise was part of his administration’s policy of touching all segments of the society.
He advised widows not to see the demise of their husbands as a reason to engage their children in child labour and other unwholesome practices, noting that it has become worrisome to see some women turn street beggars or resort to prostitution due to socio-economic pressures.
Wike lamented the trauma of widows who are always seen as potential suspects in the event of their spouse’s death, and subjected to various forms of inhuman treatment in the name of traditional practices.
The state chief executive reiterated his administration’s gender-friendly posture with the appointment of women into key positions in the state, noting that over 50 per cent of the present members of the local government caretaker committees in the state are women.
The governor said government will continue to provide a conducive environment for investors and Rivers people to attain their full potentials, adding that Government is collaborating with security agencies to fight crime with the donation of patrol vehicles equipped with modern communication gadgets to police and other security agents.
He, therefore, charged the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds and knowledge acquired from the seminar to manage their business ventures, pointing out that with “prudent utilisation of resources, the benefit of today’s event would germinate and multiply.”
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Pastor Biobele Adesola, lauded Governor Wike for empowering widows, and explained that laws enacted to check unwholesome practices against widows are not being enforced, as widows have continued to suffer dehumanising treatment.
In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Justina Jumbo, said widows need to be supported, comforted and empowered, stressing that gender discrimination has great adverse effect on families headed by widows.
Jumbo opined that widows are subjected to dehumanizing cultural and traditional practices, ostracized and dispossessed of properties jointly owned by the family.
She commended the state government for presenting empowerment packages to over 300 Rivers widows.
Earlier, the President of Widows Association, Rivers State Branch, Mrs. Patricia Weli, had expressed appreciation that the Governor Wike-led administration for recognizing the plight of widows in the State within the 100 days in office, and assured that the empowerment packages would be utilized to encourage the governor to do more.
Responding, one of the beneficiaries, Ngozi Amos Ernest from Ikwerre Local Government Area, thanked the governor for the opportunity given them to engage in meaningful activities to enable them take care of their families.
Highpoint of the event was the conferment of patronship of the association and decoration of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo.
Similarly, as part of activities marking the 100 days in office of the Rivers State Government, the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has visited three charity homes to demonstrate his love and care for the less privileged in society.
Among homes visited by the governor are the Children’s Home, Borokiri, the Child Special School at Corpus Christ and the Home for the Elderly, Harbour Road all in Port Harcourt, on Friday.
Items worth millions of Naira, including Gas Cookers, washing machines, beverages, wheel chairs, standing fans, chairs, food items and toiletries were presented to the management of the homes.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said the visit was to identify with the yearnings of the less privileged, and assured them that the present administration will always take care of their upkeep and needs.
“This government is a caring one. We are remembering you in commemoration of our 100 days in office, we remember you now and will always remember you,” he stated.
The state chief executive assured the managers of the homes that government will continue to support them to ensure that the homes are maintained.
“I assure you that government will continue to partner with you. We will come whenever we are needed,” she said.
He commended the workers for their efforts and diligence in taking care of the homes, and urged them not to be weary in their service to humanity.
The Director, Child Welfare, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Mike Kurubo while speaking on behalf of the Children’s Home, Borikiri, thanked the governor for the gesture, and used the opportunity to call on the state government to provide a befitting staff quarters and a bus for the Children’s Home.
On her part, the Matron of the Home for the Elderly, Reverend Sister Mary Jane Rapheal Agubosi, called for the assistance of the state government in the payment of hospital and electric bills, provision of a bus and a standard security house.
She thanked the state governor for the visit, and prayed God to reward him graciously.
In the governor’s entourage were the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Onimum Jack, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Ms Kadilo Brown, former commissioner in the state, Mrs. Toru Ofili, and other Government functionaries.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi