Rivers
RSG Condemns Acts Of GBV … Calls For Collective Action
The Rivers State Government (RSG) has condemned acts that constitute Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the State.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Roseline Apawari Uranta, who made the condemnation, weekend, at an end of year/staff appreciation event organised by Divine Mercy Properties Limited, in Port Harcourt, said such acts are inimical to the growth and development of women and children in the society.
In line with the UN declaration of 16 days of Activism against GBV globally, the Commissioner led a sensitization campaign against child molestation, women trafficking and child labour to the even, in commemoration of the 16 days.
Speaking at the went, Dr. Uranta described GBV as crimes “not only against women and children, but also against humanity at large”.
She, therefore, called for greater support from the menfolk to ensure that GBV crimes are completely eradicated from society.
She emphasized on the critical role of women in nation building and encouraged the men to assist the women to express their individualists and make them gain self actualization, which, she said, “would help in boosting the confidence of the women”.
A statement by the Head of Press in the Ministry, Joy Sarima Ibi Briggs, said the Commissioner called on “men generally to emulate the leadership style and culture of inclusive as exemplified by the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara”.
The statement quoted the Commissioner as noting that the Governor “had given women in the state the opportunity to assert themselves and be part of strategic decision-making processes and positions in the state”.
Earlier, the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion and former Deputy Governor of the State, Alabo GTG Toby, commended the management of Mercy Divine Properties for putting in place a commendable reward system in honour of staff who have put in dedication and hard work during the current business year.
He encouraged staff and partners of the organization who were being rewarded with various gifts, ranging from cars to landed property in choice locations within the city, not to “drop the ball, but work harder to achieve greater success and cover more milestones in the coming business year”.
On her part, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Divine Mercy Properties, Mrs. Mercy Amatemeso, said her organisation had been in the business of giving back to society for the past 23 years, adding that she was pleased to identify with the Rivers State Government and gave assurances of stronger partnerships with Government.
Attributing her success to God, she stated that beyond staff of the organization who were being rewarded, agents and clients who have distinguished themselves in carrying out their responsibilities during the year were also being rewarded to serve as a morale booster and source of encouragement for them to do more in the future.
Mrs. Blessing David Muyiwa and Blessing Ugha, both staff of Mercy Divine Properties who all got car gifts at the ceremony, expressed joy at the gifts they received, saying they got nominated by a dint of hard work and dedication to their responsibilities.
About five widows nominated by the State Ministry of Women Affairs were presented with bags of rice by the organisers, in support of the advocacy and sensitization campaign on 16 days of activism against gender based violence in the state.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
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As part of activities marking 16 Days of Activism, A Non-Governmental Organizatio (NGO), OLEGH, has organised a one-day awareness creation workshop on digital violence against women and girls, for civil society and media groups in Rivers State.
OLEGH’s Executive Director, Henry Eferebo, said the programme was intended to draw attention to the theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism tagged, “Unite To End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.”
Eferebo said the event is an annual global campaign that focuses on violence against women, affords persons and groups all over the world the opportunity to embark on activities aimed at eliminating all forms of women and gender abuse.
“As individuals, we don’t pay attention to the things we see on the social media. We pay less attention to the abuse on the internet. Today, you can abuse a woman or a man physically, emotionally and otherwise, and go scot-free”, he noted.
According to him, women and girls have suffered the most from online violence and cyber-bullying, particularly on platforms such as TikTok, making them ready victims online and offline.
“So, in line with the United Nations principle on 16 Days of Activism and this year’s theme, there is a need for OLEGH Center to create awareness on issues resulting from the online abuse of women and girls.
“We decided to bring in a resource person who will tell us how to avoid being abused online”, he said.
He urged participants at the event to put hands together, rise up and speak against digital violence online.
The NGO’s arrow head, also explained that OLEGH was working towards creating an online help-desk for victims of online abuse and digital violence.
He urged participants to improve their security awareness while online, and adopt security protocols that would protect them in the digital space.
The Resource Person, Jacob Iniodu, in a paper titled, “Understanding Digital Abuse within the 16 Days of Activism”, listed forms of online violence to include, cyber-bullying, dozing, cyber-stalking, and invasion of privacy.
By: King Onunwor
Armslent Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), in Rivers State, has distributed Christmas gifts worth over N5million to aged mothers, orphans and less privileged persons in Belema, Bundu Ama (Community) in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA).
The Foundation also gave cash gifts of N150,000 to the Community.
Presenting the gift items, comprising 5 bags of rice,10 Cartons of indomie noodles,10 Gallons of groundnut oil, 3 bags of salt and cartons of maggie cubes, to Chairman of the Community, David Oba, and the community leaders, the founder of Armslent Foundation, Comrade Richard Boma Briggs, said the foundation decided to show love and togetherness to the community by providing the gifts.
He noted that the provision was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the community aimed at alleviating poverty and create a sense of belonging as Christian faithfuls celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Briggs described Bundu Ama as one of its pillars in partnership, stressing that the foundation was inspired by the spirit of love to impact and rejoice with the residents of the community.
“The foundation was moved by the spirit of Christmas to give these gifts and rejoice with the people of community”, Briggs said.
Accompanied by the Managing Director of the Foundation, Richard Osigbo, and other top Executive Members, Briggs called on the leaders of the community to always pray for the foundation, promising that in 2026, it would embark on a tangible project at UPE Modern Primary School Waterfront, Bundu Ama.
Receiving the items, Chairman of Bundu Ama, David Oba, thanked the foundation for empowering the less privileged persons, assisting physically challenged persons, and aged mothers in the past.
“The foundation had done a lot for this community and today we are witnessing these gift items for the Christmas celebration”,he emphasised.
He called on the leaders of the community, women group, youths and residents to emulate the humanitarian gestures of the foundation and pleaded that they also borrow a leaf from the gesture,in order to also give to society whenever they can.
Earlier the leaders of Belema Bundu Ama, led by Oba, former Chairman, Benneth Kalio, and Secretary, Promise Mangibo, presented an Award of Excellence to the Founder of the Foundation for his Humanitarian and selfless service to the community.
Highlight of the event was the offering of a special prayer to the management of the foundation by aged mothers, youths and leadership of the community.
By: Chinedu Wosu
The Obolo Youth Coalition, Rivers State Chapter, has condemned the recent spate of killings in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the renewed insecurity as alarming and constituting a threat to peace and stability in the area.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comr. Jonathan J. Eyina, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as brutal and senseless acts of violence, while extending condolences to the families of the victims.
The coalition said the resurgence of insecurity in Andoni has continued to undermine communal harmony and called for urgent steps to halt the trend before it escalates further.
It appealed to youths in the area to shun violence and embrace peace, stressing the need for tolerance, mutual respect and collective responsibility in safeguarding the community.
According to the group, restoring peace in Andoni requires a coordinated approach involving government, security agencies, community leaders and residents to identify and address the root causes of insecurity.
It noted that increased security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained community engagement are critical to preventing further violence, adding that underlying social and economic challenges must also be addressed.
The coalition called on the Andoni Local Government Chairman, Hon. Lucky Promise-Otua, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to take decisive actions to restore security.
It further demanded that those responsible for the killings be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
By: King Onunwor