Niger Delta

NGO To Train 100 Girls In Solar Technology

Published

3 years ago

October 13, 2022

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) under the aegis of Courageous Girls, Women and Children Initiative (CGWCI), is set to train 100 girls in solar technology in Delta State.
The programme, tagged “The Girl Child Tech Project – Energize Naija”, was launched on Tuesday in Asaba to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.
The Convener and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organisation, Uyoyou Ayovuata, affirmed that the Girl Child Tech Project was an initiative of the CGWCI, designed to support and connect the next generation of African girls to become experts in technology.
She added that the programme was aimed at refocusing the attention of girls being referred to as the weaker vessels to special breed of humans.
She further said the training programme would help to equip the girls with relevant knowledge and technical skills to enable them become Solar Energy Installation/Maintenance technicians.
Ayovuata explained that the programme, which was a master class for the African Girl, was designed to run from October to April 2023.
According to her, the programme, which is an empowerment programme, will help to put the Girl Child in the forefront of becoming renowned in technology.
Ayovuata also said at the end of the session, the beneficiaries would be empowered with business start-ups, kits to successfully begin their careers as Solar Energy Technicians and certified renewable energy experts, among others.
On the other objectives of the programme, Ayovuata stated that it was aimed at empowering the Nigerian girls to enable them to achieve their individual potential and contribute to the economy and reduce vices in our society.
She, however, urged the girls to become everything they were capable of.
“Being the best version of yourself revolves around identifying the specifics of who you are and what you are wired for in order to harness your innate abilities and reach your full potential.
“It is about purpose and fulfillment, which are the pillars for socioeconomic sustainability and survival,” she said.
In her goodwill message as the Royal Mother of the Day, the Omu Anioma, HRM, Obi Martha Dunkwu, sang the ‘Buga’ song for the girls before defining the Girl Child as the female child that is full of potential, created to fulfill her purpose on earth.
Dunkwu, who also recalled her life’s story, on how she was born poor and how she was determined to change the narrative surrounding her with the courage to redefine her birth story and family lineage.
“I sacrificed my life to lift my family out of poverty. It’s a man’s world, but we must find our purpose in creation.
“You must take seriously what you have come here to learn today because in the long run, it will give you the power and self-esteem that you need to face the world,” she said.
The Chairman of the Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE), who is also known as “the Desert Warrior”, Chief Newton Jibunoh, praised the courage of the organisers of the programme and the will power of the participants to undertake such venture, promising to support them to achieve their goals.
In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Flora Alatan, said the initiative would help to curb vulnerability of the Girl Child to human trafficking and other social vices.
She urged other well-meaning individuals to ensure that the girl child was properly developed to achieve her full potential.

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.