Why We Celebrate Rivers Women – Tam-George

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, has explained that the special day for the celebration of Rivers women, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Rivers State was well deserved.
Speaking to newsmen at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, yesterday, during   the   Special   Women   Day   celebration, Tam-George, said the event was an opportunity to celebrate the Rivers women for their enduring spirit and resilience from the Civil War experience till date.
He said the Rivers women have over the years exuded deeds of hard work and professional excellence in various fields of endeavour, and assured that the Rivers State Government was committed to supporting women in the state.
According to the commissioner, 70 per cent of the 35,000 beneficiaries of the enterprise loan   given by the Rivers State Government were women, adding that record shows that the incentives were judiciously used by the beneficiaries.
He said the governor has taken note of the success recorded in the application of the loan by the beneficiaries to create jobs and expand small and medium scale enterprise development   in the state, adding that “more empowerment programmes will be unveiled in the state for women to enhance sustainability in food sufficiency and economic self support”.
On women participation in politics, the commissioner said Rivers women have done fairly well   in terms of political awareness and participation, but more still has to be done for Rivers women to be fully mobilized for active participation in politics.
Tam-George, who described Chief Nyesom Wike as a gender-friendly governor, said the Rivers State governor did not give political appointments to women on patronage, but on merit and excellence, which he described as the hallmark of the Wike administration.
Highlights of the event were special presentation by women from the 23 local governments of   Rivers State, and a talk show by eminent Rivers  women.

Taneh Beemene