Nation
IHRC, NGO Organise Empowerment Programme For IDPs
About 200 women and young girls have benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, Malaysian Garden, Apo, in the Federal Capital Territory.
The programme was organised by the International Human Rights Commission and the Broken But Mendable Life Foundation (BBML) to commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.
The Tide’s source reports that the campaign with the theme: “Unite! Activism to end violence against women and girls”, calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights, which is, violence against women.
The Zonal Coordinator, IHRC, Abuja Chapter, Mr Adeoye David, said the training was organised to equip the women and young girls with means to function in the society.
“As we are aware that we are in the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence and the theme is to end violence against women and girls.
“Basically, we in IHRC deemed it fit to collaborate with Broken But Mendable Life Foundation, to bring the initiative here.
“We looked at it from the fact that if we can empower women, then they will be independent, because if a woman is not empowered, then the abuse will be more intensed.
“But once they are empowered, they will be able to take decisions by themselves and there will be less abuse on them.
“We have specifically trained them on three things that is, soap making, cream making and adire making, of which we are going to empower those that are serious and willing to go into it,” he said.
Also, Mrs Adaku Akpokodje, the Vice-Coordinator, IHRC, Abuja Chapter, added that viiolence against women haf been on an alarming rate not only in Nigeria but the the world at large.
She added that the issue which had been seen as an acceptable and normal behaviour must be curbed, as such, empowering them was one way to prevent the menace.
“The truth is when women are financially empowered, it will be difficult for men to be violent against them or to bring them down.
“It is not only physical violence, we are also talking about emotional violence, but if these women are empowered, they will be as to source for themselves and take care of their own needs.
“At that time violence against them will reduce, though it may take a long while to be eliminated, but gradually, we will get there,” she added.
The Chairman of the camp, Mr Chakule Lawal, appreciated the organisations for training them on the various skills, stressing that it would assist them to be financially independent.
“I feel very happy for this skill acquisition programme brought by the International Human Rights Commission and the NGO. It is a good development to the entire camp.
“I want the women to also continue practising what they have learnt so that they can continue with the business and it will help their future and future of their children,” he said.
A beneficiary who learnt tie and dye fabric making, Ms Fatima Mohammed, appreciated the groups for the training.
“We learnt very well and we are happy to learn tie and dye, we thank them and God bless them.
“I do not have a job before but now, I have learnt something to use to feed myself”, she said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Biski Hauwa, who spoke in Hausa language, also appreciated the organisers for their kind gestures.
“I have learnt vaseline making and I appreciate them for teaching us, once I sell the vaseline, I will see money to feed myself and my children,” she said.
The source reports that the beneficiaries who were shared into various groups learnt vaseline production, liquid detergent and tie and dye fabric making.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor