Rivers
Nigeria Wants Rights-Based Approach To Dev, Women Empowerment
A non-governmental agency under the aegis of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) in Nigeria has called for rights-based approach to development and women empowerment as they share global rights experiences among their counterpart youths in other countries.
Speaking during the programme organised by YEAC, Nigeria, the Executive Director, YEAC, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, stressed that a human rights-based approach (HRBA) to development and women empowerment is what is needed in Nigeria.
The organisation made this demand in Port Harcourt, recently, during an “Individual Plan Implementation for Putting Global Rights Connection (GRC) Learning Experience into Action with One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta” meeting.
The Executive Director, Fyneface, while sharing his learning experience gained from participation in the Equitas, Canada’s International Human Rights Training Programme, online version, tagged “Global Rights Connection (GRC) 2021,” expressed the need for participation of youths, men, women and persons with disabilities from Rivers and other States in the Niger Delta, so that they would be fully empowered.
Such empowerment, he said, would in turn transcend to the development of the area.
On Gender and Human rights-Based approach, Fyneface said: “Gender being a social construct should not be seen as solely referring to women alone, but men as well.
“Gender in this sense refers to girls, young women, the elderly, the blind, deaf, dumb and members of the Lesbian Gay, Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community as well as those with other disabilities and the physically challenged with same thing applying to the male folks on the other hand”, he explained.
The Executive Director backed his arguments on gender equality using the impact of COVID-19 on women with short videos of the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres, and former Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, while calling on the government to create more job opportunities for women to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on their families and households.
”The gender assigned to anybody at birth should not dictate who we are, what we think we can do, and what we think we cannot do, because of our sexes because gender equality is fundamental”, he said.
Fyneface also stated that a peaceful and serene environment would be achieved in the society if the human rights-based approach, which ensures inclusion, with no one being left behind, is adopted in all development projects.
According to him, the crisis in many Niger Delta communities is as a result of the neglect of the human rights-based approach to development, which prioritizes total inclusion, including the physically challenged and persons with disabilities.
He further demonstrated graphically the learning experience with other participants from around the world during the 10 weeks programme, lasted from October 4 to December 10, 2021, the International Human Rights Day, which witnessed various interesting topics of learning and discussions.
He emphasised that the module practically demonstrates concerns between development and human rights in development projects and how to apply the elements of human rights-based approach in development through stakeholder mapping and different contexts for inclusiveness.
By:Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso