News
Over 4,000 Rivers West Women Unite For Fubara
By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Fredrick
About 4,000 women from eight local government areas that constitute the Rivers West Senatorial District, last Sunday, defied the scorching sun, walked from Western Ahoada County High School to St. Paul’s State School field, Ahoada Town, to reiterate their support for the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara.
The walk, tagged “Rivers West Women Unite for SIM”, had an array of female stakeholders and politicians, who made far reaching statements on the stance of women as regards the current political era.
Notable amongst those who delivered solidarity messages were the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and Rivers West Senatorial Candidate, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo; PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Prof Ngozi Ordu; House of Representatives candidate for Asari-Toru/ Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency, Hon. Boma Goodhead; Dame Victoria Awuse; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs.Ukel Oyaghiri; Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox; wife of PDP State Chairman, Mrs. Ene Akawor, and PDP State Woman Leader, Hon. Marian Ogbonna.
In their respective speeches, they spoke on the need for women to collect and protect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), in readiness for the general election in February and March.
They expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his continuous support for the political aspirations of women in the state, which has culminated to the emergence of a female deputy governor, female senator, female members of the national and state Assemblies, female commissioners, female special advisers, female judges of federal and state High Courts, female Magistrates, female local government chairman, female vice chairmen of all the local government areas, and other key appointments.
They said Wike’s gender friendly posture and policies have been an immense boost for women.
Earlier in her address, Convener of the walk and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Tonye Briggs Oniyide, said the walk was to create awareness in the area, and also tell the world that the women from the senatorial district were ready to cast their votes for the party’s Governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and other candidates of the party during the general election.
Oniyide, who doubles as deputy director of the Mobilisation (Women) Directorate of the State Campaign Council, said women came from Abua/Odual, Ahaoad East, Ahoada West, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Bonny, Degema and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA), to participate in the walk as a show of commitment to the Consolidation of the New Rivers Agenda that would bring about infrastructure and manpower development in the state.
Some prominent women who participated in the walk, included member representing Okrika State Constituency, Hon. Linda Somiari Stewart; Deputy Director of the Mobilisation (Women) Directorate of the State Campaign Council, Hon. Alali Irimagha; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Blessing Nsiegbe; former Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Emily Solomon; former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Nancy Nwankwo; wife of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mrs.Ugar Ikuinyi-OwajiIbani, wife of the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Grace Woke; wife of the Head of Service, Dr. Matilda Rufus Godwin; Hon. Daisy West, Hon. Alaso Obi, Ada Omuma, Hon. Victoria, Nwokocha Chikeka; Hon Gloria Boma Harry; Mrs.Onyi Ile; and Hon. Okorite Adiele; amongst several others.
Key members of the State Campaign Council, including the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly and Director of the Mobilisation Directorate, Hon. Edison Ehie; Zonal Coordinator, Rivers West Senatorial Zone, Chief David Briggs; Commissioner for Water Resources, Prof Kaniye Ebeku;member of the state House of Assembly and candidate for Asari-Toru State Constituency 2, Hon. Lolo Opuende; and others were on hand to give the women morale support.
On the sidelines of the walk was the exercise session, which was followed closely by scintillating performances by Jikume Bethlehem (Oshikiri 1 of Africa), Muma Gee and Holy.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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