Women

Opobo Women At 50: The Journey So Far

Published

4 years ago

April 1, 2022

It was the gathering of who is who in Opobo Town, seat of power of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State recently when women in the area under the aegis of Opobo Women Welfare Association (OWWA) rolled out drums to celebrate her 50 years of existence, as well as charting of Progressive Development Path for the ancient Kingdom.
The occasion which took place at the King Jaja’s Monument Square, OPobo Town, began with fasting and prayers showcasing the achievements of the group since inception of the body, especially under the current administration headed by a renowned educationist Amaopuroubo Felicia Stephen Pepple. Some of the achievements include culverts, waiting halls, building of post office, the provision of secondary school, women craft centre and women conference hall among others.
Others are scholarships to indigent students and pupils, caring for the less privileged the maintenance of peace in the Kingdom, renovation of carpers’ lodge, equipping of Doctor’s quarters which speaks volume of the group.
The body whose aim is to ensure the unity, progress and welfare of all Opobo Women, as well as promote and maintain effective services and harmony among the women both at home and in the diaspora, also laboured towards bringing about useful projects beneficial to all Opopo indigenes.
The group maintained discipline, culture and tradition of Opobo as it affects all and sundry in the Kingdom that calls for celebration of these unique mothers with the theme:
“Opopo Women on The Move For A Better Tomorrow” as enshrined in Genesis 26:13.
The association, which was founded on August 17 1971 by Madam Eugenia Kalaya Pepple MamaAyadede) with Queen Rosabel Omoric Mac-Pepple, Madam Sussanah Epelle and others contributed tremendously by providing the needed incentives in the Kingdom, immediately after Nigeria Biafra the cord war in 1970.
Aside that; the group used the opportunity to launch her N200 million Building of Cold room, craft peoples centre and Bakery, where it exite it so the rich cultural heritage, such as, tria, Asawo,Ereawo, titled citizens; drumming competition by young men of various section, the peeling of melon, cutting of Ukasi and the removal of periwinkle from its shell, among others trilled the audience. Speaking at the event, Wife of Opobo Monarch, Her Majesty, Queen Prudence Dandeson Jaja admonished parents to inculcate into their female children better values, especially on domestic chores, such as cooking sweeping, peeling of melon, removal of periwinkle from its shell, cutting of Ukasi as well as washing of clothes without supervision.
Queen Jaja called for training the children educationally to enable them achieve better feats in life, instead of exposing them to social ills, such as, prostitution armed robbery, abating crimes, smoking of illicit drugs and other negative character which may mar or make them. She described the girl-children as unique in all ratifications.
In an address at the occasion president of Amaopuorubo Felicia Stephen Pepple stressed that the group which has become a force to reckon with has received supports on present and past leaders of the kingdom to be able to actualize the goal of the of the association.
Pepple described the women as great service providers for the good of all in the area, where, after fifty years of existence were able to repair the dead market the minor repair at the health center, provision of home economics laboratory, minor repair and equipping of the Doctor’s residential lodge, among others. She explained that, “within these fifty years of existence we have not derided from the objectives, which is the main reason why the group was formed”.
According to her, “It’s my pleasure today to say thank you on behalf of the group to all, especially its majesty, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, who out of their busy schedules found time to honour the milestone” assuring that her administration would continue to uphold the tents of the founding mothers throughout the period”.
Meanwhile, Christian, Rivers State Traditional RulerS Council and Amanyanabo of Opobo His Majesty King Dandeson Douglas Jaja the women to remain committed in their quest to build an egalitarian Opobo Kingdom through love, peace, unity and the bearing of each other’s burden.
King Dandeson described the group as catalyst for development of society assuring of readiness to support them when ever occasion demands day which attracted captains of industry tradition rules chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and his cabinet members security operatives in the area, cler Clergymen the academic Opobo title holders women various sections of the media and distinguished gusts, among others, the week long occasion, which came to a climax with a Thanksgiving church service at Saint Paul’s Anglican church, Opobo Town.

By: Bethel Toby

Women

Who Is A Classic Woman?

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

A classic woman is one who has identified herself in terms of fashion, occupation or the kind of business she does.

A woman can be classical in the way she entertains her audience in terms of music and movies. You will discover that some female musicians are identified with the kind of music they sing.

A classical woman is one who always wants to appear trendy.

Generally, classical women are normally identified with the kind of things they are involved in.

There are ladies that want to be identified with wearing of shorts (short trousers) in the public. They use it to showcase their beauty. They want to be identified with such things as they see it as socialisation.

Some wear trousers that are so tight just to showcase all the curves they possess.

Consultant stylists and etiquette experts say some fashions won by some persons are inappropriate because of how and when they are won.

A classic woman is supposed to dress properly. She should be able to wear clothes that will not expose hidden parts of her body. When such occurs, then it is indecent dressing.

Ladies should be known for two things, classical and beauty. One can be classic with minimisation. The minimum woman should go is to look good, decent and presentable.

Some ladies like wearing short skirts but no matter how short the skirt is, it should look elegant. The skirt should not be too short like the mini-skirt.

Dressing or fashion depends on the environment the persons finds herself. The kind of clothes won to the office may be different from the one won at home. Likewise, a dress won to a party may be different from the one won too swimming pool.

For one to look classical or decent, body shape should be taken into consideration.

Colours of a particular fashion can make one look odd or nice. Looking model does not mean that one should go naked or dull.

Don’t wear clothes that you need to drag from time to time in order not to expose yourself.

Eunice Choko-Kayode

Women

Emohua Widows Receive Items From Ogbakor Ikwerre California

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2026

The Tide

A Non-Governmental Organization, (NGO) Ogbakor Ikwerre,California, DBA, Ikwerre Community Association, California, through it’s outreach projects has donated food items to over 300 Widows in Rumuekpe and Rumuji in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Speaking during the handover of the items to the women leaders of the communities in Emohua, yesterday, the team leader of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Community Association in California, Dr Christiana Chukumati, said that the donation is an annual event that has been on since 2014.

According to her, the NGO is donating the items among the four local government area of Ikwerre adding that this year is for widows in Rumuekpe and Rumuji communities.

“Today is Rumuekpe and Rumuji communities, next we are going to another Ikwerre local government area also.

” The NGO has been carrying on the activities since 2014 within the

Ikwerre communities”, Dr Chukumati said.

She thanked the Royal father of Rumuekpe, His Royal Highness, Golden Amb. Christian Amadi, Eze Chigu and the Royal Highness of Rumuji and Odegu Kingdom, Ohna Christian Okachineke Elechi Newe-Eli (the xv) for receiving them in their communities.

The team leader also promised the Royal Highness that whenever the NGO has any other items for the communities, she we do well to bring it to them.

Receiving the Ogbakor Ikwerre Community Association in California in Rumuekpe, His Royal Highness Golden Christian Amadi, praised the NGO for funding his clan among the communities.

According to the Highness, my community is the only oil producing community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, adding that his community is feeding the local government area, the state and the nation.

“I thank my children over there in California for remembering the widows in my Kingdom for the food items they brought.

” I pray to God to help them to do also to other Ikwerre communities.

” I want to tell them also that Rumuekpe Kingdom is till undeveloped.

” As you can see the community is nothing to show to the people, I want to beg the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Rivers State government to come to our aid to develop our community. We are underdeveloped”

“God will bless my children over there in California”, His Royal Highness Amadi prayed.

In her words, the women leader of Rumuekpe community, Comfort Njoku, said that she was happy for the gift items given to them adding that it is not easy to remember the widows.

She explained that in Rumuekpe, the widows have not seen such a gift before and prayed that is only God that will reward them.

“I want to thank the Ogbakor Ikweree Community Association in California for giving us this items in this festival. We thank God for them and the leader of the group, Mrs Chukumati.

” What we received today we have not seen it in our community before for widows”, Mrs Njoku stated.

Meanwhile, in Rumuji community, His Royal Highness, Ohna Christian Okachineke Elechi, said that he lacked words to thank the Ogbakor Ikwerre Community Association in California for the gift to the widows in his communities.

According to him, today is historic in the history of Rumuji community that our children in oversea can remember us, I am very excited and happy over the items.

“I feel very very happy, it is good that our children recognize the widows in my community today.

” I did not know them before but now I know them, I pray to God Almighty to pay them back for their effort and that they will not lack.

“I pray God to continue to bless them in whatever things they are doing” he stated.

Earlier, the oldest woman in Rumuji community, Nletem Josiah, who spoke in her local language interpreted by the woman leader, Agor Leah Onugbom, thanked the Ogbakor Ikwerre Community Association in California for the gift adding that her husband died many years ago that has caused her hardship.

” In my age and these people come and give me these food items, is only God that will bless them for me.

” This Xmas I will eat and be happy so I want to thank them and that my God, God will bless them for me”, Mama Josiah said.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Women

When Rivers Women Pray

Published

3 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital went agog when women from all the local government areas of Rivers State came together for a prayer conference themed: “Women Converge 2025”.

The programme in it’s second series, which held at the Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre was put together by the Rivers Women Unite For Sim, a foundation that is nurtured by the women of Rivers State for prayers to God for the peaceful and smooth running of the state.

Like a delegate conference, the Civic centre was filled to the brim with women dressed in white attires. They sang, danced and prayed to God for sustenance of peace in Rivers State while reaffirming their support for Governor Sim Fubara and his wife, Lady Valerie.

Women Converge With the sub-theme, “Women In An Evolving World”, explains the actions and strategies that the women use in fitting and succeeding in the digital and technical era that is very competitive.

During political rallies and campaigns, with their drummers, beautifully dressed, showcase their dancing steps to entertain audience.

In everything one does in the earthly world, prayers is key. Prayer, they say conquers. Women have been conquering many odds with prayers, and God answers whenever they pour out their minds concerning issues.

Of course, due to their nature, women have always been in the forefront of championing prayers, garnering supports for those in authority, taking care of their families as well as coping with their job careers.

Since the inception of the current administration, women have been relentless in ensuring that peace reigns in the Rivers state through prayers so 2025 edition of the Women Converge which is the second edition recorded huge success.

Speaking at the ceremony, the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, commended Rivers women whose continuous prayers have impacted on the state and appreciated the support by the women to the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

She described Rivers women as wonderful for the support both in prayers and solidarity to her family.

She described Women Converge 2025 as another milestone in an effort to shape the society for good and support for the sustenance of peace and development in Rivers State.

According to her, let me enjoin our women to remain prayerful because God is ever ready to answer our prayers. In all that we do, we must not forget the hand of God and seek him for direction and help. You have always been steadfast and I urge you not to relent and together we will move our society forward.

Describing the theme, “Women Converge 2025, Women In An Evolving World”, as apt, she said it is a reflection of the very essence of actions and strategies that women adapt in navigating the new world order.

She said that despite the complexities of managing the home front and the constraints of economic realities, women had demonstrated formidable strength and resilience to confront the odds of life.

In her words, “This event underscores the resilience of our women to succeed no matter the odds, especially with absolute faith in God and determination for greater accomplishments”.

“Whether in the industry, business, agriculture, public service or even in politics, they have always shown strong determination to adapt and to accomplish like others”, she maintained.

A guest speaker at the event, the founder and medical director of Save A Live medical centre, Dr. Okoye, told women to always take wise decisions in things concerning maternal and infant mortality.

The medical expert reiterated that women should not misunderstand the biblical idea of “you will deliver like the Hebrew women”.

He advised women to take instructions from medical experts concerning pregnancy and child birth as those will go a long way in saving their lives and advised the women not to patronize quacks.

In a goodwill message, the former Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Roseline Konya, expressed hope that the peace women have been praying for is already yielding positive result.

The President of Port Harcourt Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHACCIMA, Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, spoke on the sustenance of peace in Rivers State as that will move the state to greater height.

Also speaking at the

Women Converge, Pastor Ene Secondus, enjoined women to continue to pray for peace and it’s sustenance in Rivers State.

One of the guest speakers, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze, during the intercessory prayers said women are the foundation of the society and explained that development of any society depends on the strength of womanhood.

The wife of the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Christie Toby, a daughter of Rivers State, Ann Kio Briggs also graced the occasion.

Apart from the prayer session, women from different local government areas showcased different kinds of food items in their various canopies and stands.

The Okrikans and in fact the Riverine extraction, in a food exhibition displayed fishes, crayfish, oporo (prawn), periwinkle( isam).

The women from Etche and Omuma decorated their tables with agricultural products like Garri, fufu, vegetables (okashi ala), plantain, bananas etc.

The Ekpeyes and Ogbas were not left out as they displayed their own food crops like fish, garri, fufu and the likes.

Women from Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas came with their food stuffs.

By: Eunice Choko-kayode