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Affirmative Action: Speaker Wants Women To Adopt Practical Approach

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4 years ago

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Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-OwajiIbani, has charged Nigerian Women to maintain their rightful place in the society by adopting a more practical approach that would put their desires in their hands, instead of resorting to advocacy.
Ibani gave the charge last week, when members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), led by the Chairperson, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, embarked on a solidarity walk to the State House of Assembly to express their displeasure over the neglect of Nigerian women at the National Assembly for demanding for their rights, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
NAWOJ had used the occasion of the International Women’s Day program to appeal to the Rivers State House of Assembly to help convey their message on the bill of gender equality to the National Assembly for reconsideration.
Addressing the women, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-OwajiIbani, pledged the continuous support of the 9th Assembly towards Nigerian women’s struggle for better placement in the society, while promising to relate their message to the National Assembly (NASS).
Ibani described Chief NyesomWike’s led administration as Gender-sensitive, noting that his decision to have a woman as his deputy, as well the 23 local government vice chairmen as women is a unique record no other state has beaten.
He frowned at the insensitivity of some members of the NASS towards the women, while assuring members of NAWOJ Rivers State Chapter, of their support towards gender equality bill. He added that the Rivers State House of Assembly has carried out several measures to see how issues that concern women in the society could be given the priority attention they deserve.
The Speaker further called that women be given equal opportunity to occupy political positions, while still urging women in the state to go beyond the level of advocacy to a more proactive agenda in order to achieve gender equality, adding that women are the foundation of agrarian society and should rise up to take their place in the society.
“If the world acknowledges the need to celebrate women all over the world, then Nigeria can not be different. Our National Assembly members cannot be insensitive to the plight of women. Women are the foundation of agrarian society and If there be a transformation from what was, the women should be part and parcel of such, so there is no level of position women can not occupy,” He said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of NAWOJ Rivers State Chapter, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, has called on women to get their permanent voter cards PVCs to vote in women massively into various positions come 2023 General election.
“We must use what we have to get what we want and our PVC is our power to vote massively for our women into positions of power.
“From research, statistically, we have the numerical strength to vote them out of those offices to allow our women occupy them and we don’t even need additional offices or positions to be created considering the high cost of governance which the country is already facing.
“Our children too will support us when we restrategise to support more women to be in position of power. We must restrategise to sponsor women, who are willing, well able to go into politics, to go and pick up forms to contest for positions of their choice.
“If we actually desire more women in positions of power, we must use what we have to get what we want as the 2023 General Elections draw closer,” Serekara-Nwikhana added.
She called on women who are financially capable, but not willing to contest to support the willing ones but not financially viable.
Serekara-Nwikhana cited other countries where women were in charge as prime ministers, adding that their leadership have ushered in growth and development to these countries, remarking that the longer it takes for women to be in positions of authority in Nigeria, the longer also it will take for the people to witness development and growth.

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Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

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5 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
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Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

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5 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta,  Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
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Rivers

NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

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5 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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