Make Yourselves Relevant In Politics, Council Boss Challenges Women 

The Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Hope Ikiriko, has challenged women in the country to make themselves relevant in the social, political and economic development efforts in Nigeria.
According to him, the expected spate and scope of development of the country could not be achieved until women were adequately engaged in the leadership structure of the country at all levels.
Hon. Ikiriko made the assertion in his office at Akinima, headquarters of the LGA, while playing host to a non governmental organization, the Niger Delta Non-violence Agitators Forum (NDAF) who paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday.
He said that the country would continue to shortchange itself as long as women were relegated to the background in political leadership and called on the female gender to take advantage of their number and assert themselves with a view to making the required changes that will give the country a fresh lease of life.
The grassroots politician admonished women to change their attitude towards their fellow women, noting that the ugly narrative of women marginalization will not change if they did not learn to accept and defend their own against men who tend to belittle and disregard them.
The two term council chairman and former state legislator encouraged women to aquire capacity and competence through high level education and other self development efforts in order to favourably compete with the men in politics.
He appreciated former Governor Nyesom Wike for the policy that made women vice chairmen of the 23 local government councils in the state and expressed the hope that they will leverage on the opportunity to climb to the top soon.
The Council Chairman, who expressed delight with the composition and mission of NDAF, commended the group for its vision, reiterating that only non violent agitations based on knowledge, tact and diplomacy was capable of ushering in the needed development of the Niger Delta region.
Hon. Ikiriko pointed out that superior argument rather than the force of arms was what compelled the Federal Government to defer to the youths of the region in their agitation for development.
He, therefore, urged the youths to completely shun violence and stay on the cause of dialogue in constantly engaging with the oil multinationals and the government for economic, social and environmental justice for the people of the region.

Opaka Dokubo