Justice Wike Wants More Women In Politics

Justice Wike

Women have been
asked to strive for political positions in other to empower themselves and contribute their quota to the development of the country. The wife of the state governor, Hon Justice Suzzeth Wike, gave the charge when members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State Chapter, visited her as part of their activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr(Mrs) Ipalibo Banigo, Justice Wike noted that women have very important roles to play in the society  and this cannot be achieved when women shy away from politics.  She  encouraged women to support and vote for fellow women when they vie for elective positions.
She appreciated the unrelenting support of NAWOJ to Wike’s government and asked  Journalists, especially the women journalists to continue to play their watch-dog roles in the society.
She added, “We want to encourage you to continue to be watchdog that you have been.  We will always want to partner with you and to ask you not to be partisan in all your activities.  Continue to work with us to showcase what  government is doing and also to let us know when we are not getting it right?
The Governor’s wife enjoined NAWOJ to continue to be a strong voice against gender-based violence and work for the protection of the girl child.
She ensured that Wike, being a gender  sensity Governor, will continue to empower Rivers women through political appointments, financial support and many more.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Barr Ukel Oyaghiri, represented by the Permanent Secretary Mrs Atosemi Eson Teetito  thanked NAWOJ for always championing the course of women and the girl child through her various progammes. She noted that since the  current administration in the state came on board, women have been carried along, adding that with the appointment of a female Chief Judge, a female Deputy Governor many female commissioners, special advisers, Permanent Secretaries, Board chairmen and others, there was no doubt that Rivers State would achieve genders parity before 2030.
Earlier, NAWOJ Chairman, Mrs Lilain Okonkwo had disclosed that the association embarked on a road walk to sensitise the public on the need for gender equality in the country.  She said in line with this year’s theme for the International Women’s’ Day Celebration –Planet”, 50:50 for 2030, step it up for gender equality, NAWOJ was asking for equal opportunity for male and female in politics public administration agriculture, education and other fields of life.
Mrs Okonkwo appreciated the effort made so far by the state government in empowering women, especially through appointments but asked that more women should be carried along, and that NAWOJ members should also be given the opportunity to serve the state.

Calista Ezeaku