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.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
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