Niger Delta
Mrs Oborevwori Harps On Girl-Child Empowerment
The Wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder of “You Matter Charity Foundation”, Mrs Tobore Oborevwori, says an empowerment for the girl child is one for all.
Speaking in Asaba on Tuesday, as part of the activities to mark the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl-Child, Oborevwori said the world would be better when females are empowered.
Oborevwori, who was represented by the wife of the Chief of Staff, Mrs Eyoma Erijo, said, “over the years, female children were seen as minor creatures whose voices should not be heard; fathers who had female children were not recognised by their families.
“Tradition once relegated the Girl-Child to the background; they lacked the right to quality education and the right to a good life.
“Factors like poverty, rape, sexual abuse, violence and early marriage derailed the success of the girl-child.
“Today, the power of the Girl-Child cannot be underestimated; we are witnessing a turnaround in the scheme of things”.
Oborevwori also said, “more than ever, female children are now soaring in places where males once dominated.
“They read courses that are meant as it were only for boys; they come out with good grades and even serve in the same committee with their male counterparts.
“Let me remind us that empowerment of a girl-child is for the benefit of all. I therefore encourage parents here present to do all you can to empower your daughters”.
She therefore encouraged mothers and parents to make it a point of duty to serve as mentors and sources of encouragement to their children, especially the female.
Earlier in her remarks, the host and Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl-Child Development, Ms Orode Uduaghan, emphasised the need to keep encouraging the girl-child.
On the theme for this year’s celebration: “Our Time is Now, Our Rights, Our Future”, she said the rights of the girl-child should be upheld at all points.
In her goodwill message, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs Pat Ajudua, advised girls to protect themselves for the future.
“Now is the time to chart a course for yourself and tell God what you want out of your future”, she stated.
On her part, a representative of Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS), Asaba, Miss Ifeanyi Marvelous, said, “The girl-child is the mother of the future, she should be seen and heard”.
The celebration was marked with different activities, including quiz competitions and speech presentations from students from various schools across the state.
The event was graced by a number of female secondary school students from across the state.
The Delta State House of Assembly has commenced public hearing on the State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024.
The Tide’s source reports that the public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services and Girl Child Entrepreneurship in Asaba.
Chairman of the committee, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, said the hearing was to provide members of the public the opportunity to offer contributions to the proposed law.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that the state has a law that adequately answers to the challenges it seems to address and satisfy the needs and aspirations of our people and society.
“We have invited you to join us to make a law that will help to effectively address and eradicate the odious practice of human trafficking in our state.
“We know that as stakeholders, the effective participation in making this law will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the law that will finally emerge from the process”, she said.
Anyafulu assured the stakeholders that the committee would look into their suggestions and consider areas that could help to strengthen the bill as well as enhance its quality.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, called for the inclusion of the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the implementation process.
It also reports that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others, were involved in the public hearing.
They commended the State Executive for initiating the bill and called for its speedy passage.
The Federal Government has handed over 24,180 bags of 50kg maize and 5,828 bags of 25kg ‘garri’ to the Akwa Ibom State Government for distribution to vulnerable households.
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government in Uyo, the State Capital.
Represented by Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, the Head, Operations, NEMA, Akwa Ibom State office, Umar said the donation was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government approved the release of 42, 000 metric tonnes of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve to vulnerable households.
Umar said that the president’s promise was the government’s way of reducing the impact of the current economic hardship in the country.
“We are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to the intended beneficiaries in the communities”, she said.
The NEMA D-G said that the food items should be shared in the communities through properly constituted committees at the local government levels.
She said membership of the local government committees should include the council chairman, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency and the traditional institutions.
Umar said 20 per cent of the food items for each council area should be given to religious groups, and that three per cent of it should be given to boarding schools in the area.
Receiving the items, Dr Offiong Offor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
Offor said that the gesture was a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the citizenry.
The commissioner promised that the state government would ensure that the items were given to the intended beneficiaries.
A group, Concerned Obidient Movement, has declared support for Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election.
Leader of the group, Mr. Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, told newsmen in Benin that the election transcends individual personalities.
“It is a critical moment that will shape the future of Edo. The PDP is creating a climate of renewed political energy that promises sustainable progress.
“Its candidate, Ighodalo, and the deputy, Osarodion Ogie, possess the vision and qualifications that align with the aspirations of Edo people,” he said.
Igbinevbo highlighted the candidates’ deep understanding of the State’s challenges and potential which, he said, positions them to lead the state into a new era of prosperity and responsible governance.
He urged Edo people, both at home and in the Diaspora, to unite in their support for the PDP and its candidates ahead of the election.
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