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Group Harps On Empowerment Of Girl Child
In a bid to encourage young females to embrace skill development and financial independence, the Rivers Secondary School Old Boys and Girls Association, Set of 1983 Association (ROBGA ’83) has called for a redefinition of womanhood beyond societal expectations of marriage.
Speaking at a conference held recently in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2025, themed, “The Girl I Am; The Change I Lead,” Barrister Ngozi Ajayi emphasized that empowering the girl child remains one of the most effective ways to achieve sustainable development in society.
She noted that for generations, womanhood had been narrowly defined by traditional norms that placed marriage as the ultimate goal for women. However, she said the new era demands that girls focus on acquiring skills, pursuing education, and attaining financial confidence.
“Empowering the girl child is more than a call for equality; it is an investment in sustainability,” she stated.
Ajayi urged girls to cultivate the habit of saving and prudent money management, stressing that financial empowerment gives the girl child both a voice and control over her future.
“Money power gives the girl child a voice that cannot be silenced and a future that cannot be defined for her,” she said.
According to her, every girl who learns, earns, and leads becomes a catalyst for economic transformation. She added that financial literacy and self-reliance are key to achieving gender balance and national growth.
She described the girl child as a “nurture being” who plays a vital role in family and nation building.
“When a girl doesn’t have money power, things become difficult,” she added.
Ajayi further advised young girls to channel their energy into career development or learning lucrative skills that would enable them to generate income and secure their future.
“Without money power, the voice of the girl child won’t be heard,” she emphasized.
Also speaking at the event, Barrister Ibiwari Waribo stated that the girl child is expected to be an asset and not a liability in today’s world. She urged the girls to do everything positive within their power to avoid becoming a liability to themselves or society.
“The girl child should strive to be an asset and not a liability,” she advised.
Mrs Agnes Tuboalabo explained that the Nigerian government has introduced a new institutional curriculum that requires students to choose and learn at least two skills. She noted that the implementation has already begun at the federal level and is now being extended to state levels.
“The use of this new curriculum has started at the federal level and is now being brought to the states,” she said.
“You must take advantage of this opportunity because it positions you as future business owners rather than job seekers.”
She encouraged the girls to grab hold of this opportunity, emphasizing that skill acquisition makes them self-sufficient and prepares them to thrive beyond the classroom.
Dr( Mrs) Ibinabo Ogolo, Secretary – General of ROBGA ’83, created an interactive session where the girls discussed the various skills they had acquired. She guided them on how to practice and monetize these skills, while encouraging those without skills to acquire one and become women of value.
“A woman of skill and value is a woman of influence,” she said.
“Acquiring a skill gives you confidence, independence, and relevance in today’s world.”
She maintained that a skilled, independent, and confident woman not only uplifts her family but also contributes significantly to the economic and social growth of her community.
“We are here to help the girl child navigate interpersonal relationships with through skills acquired and lead effectively, ” she added.
Observers at the conference agreed that empowering girls through education, skill acquisition, and financial literacy would help bridge inequality gaps and build a more sustainable society for future generations.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing construction of the brand new 13.52-kilometre Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary effort by his administration to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the full potential of the state’s blue economy.
The Governor made this remark during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, being constructed by Monier Construction Company (MCC), cuts through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Fubara explained that while the original plan was to construct a road leading to Oyorokoto Town and its popular beach, his administration decided to expand the project to create an entirely new route that would open access to another pristine beachfront.
“We are doing another inspection today. This particular one is a virgin road, 13.52 kilometres of a new pathway to the blue economy,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Initially, we were constructing a road to Oyorokoto Beach, one of the finest tourist centres in this area. But as we progressed, we discovered another beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. It became clear that we shouldn’t limit development to just one site. We want to harness this new beach front as part of our broader plan to develop the blue economy.”
The Governor emphasised that the project, once completed, will not only improve access to coastal communities but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, boosting revenue for Rivers State.
Describing the area’s difficult terrain as challenging, he commended the contractor for its dedication, and expressed confidence that the road would be completed and commissioned by March next year.
“You can see for yourself, it’s a brand-new road in a very difficult terrain, just like the one we saw yesterday. But I strongly believe we will overcome it. From what we’ve seen today, the contractor, MCC, is doing their best, and by next year, hopefully by March, we’ll have the cause to commission this project and give God all the glory,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Fubara also visited Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area to assess the progress of work on the Epellema axis of the ongoing 5.2km Kalaibiama-Epellema road project featuring a 450-meter bridge.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded on the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project, revealing that about 75 percent of the critical piling work has been completed.
Governor Fubara made this known while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot inspection of the 12.5-kilometre road project, which will connect the state capital to several Kalabari communities across the sea.
The Governor rode on a boat from a jetty at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through the rivers and creeks on the project route during the inspection.
The project was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited, on May 15, 2024, with an initial 32-month completion timeline.
The Governor said the visit was aimed at verifying reports from the Ministry of Works regarding the project’s advancement. He commended the contractors for their dedication, and described the progress as “a true reflection of hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“The first phase of the project takes us to Bakana, and features four major river-crossing bridges and nearly five deck-on-pile structures. The terrain is difficult, and the engineering work required is complex. But to the glory of God, I can confirm that the reports I’ve been receiving are accurate. Almost 75% of the piling job, which is the most critical part of the project, has been achieved,” Governor Fubara said.
He emphasised that the Trans-Kalabari Road is one of the most technically demanding infrastructure projects in the state due to its challenging marine terrain but reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver it on schedule.
Governor Fubara highlighted the strategic importance of the road in connecting the Kalabari Kingdom to Port Harcourt, and stimulating economic growth across riverine communities.
“This is a key project that will turn around the lives of the Kalabari people immediately it is concluded. By the grace of God, in the next six months, if we return here for inspection, we might be driving across the bridge,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration remains focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will improve lives and bring lasting development to rural communities.
“We have made a promise to our people to embark on projects that will change lives and bring development, and this is a testament to that commitment,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says that the impact of flooding and erosion on the inhabitants of Rivers State, especially those living in coastal communities, are of great concerns to the government.
Governor Fubara lamented the consequences of flood on both human and biotic life, which sometimes lead to loss of life, property, and degradation of the environment.
The Governor made the remark in Port Harcourt during the launch of a book titled, ‘Coastal Zone Flooding And Erosion in Developing Communities, Principles, Cases and Strategies,” written by Emeritus Prof. Wiston Bell-Gam.
According to the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, his administration, would continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies to combat flooding.
In his words: “The Rivers State Government will continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies, such as construction of seawalls and breakers, canals and channels, restoring coastal ecology and ecosystem for coastal resilience and where necessary, the relocation of communities on the coastline.
“These issues are currently receiving the much needed attention and intervention by the recent approval of the construction of shoreline protection along the coastlines of more than five communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs respectively.”
“It is important that as stakeholders in the protection and preservation of marine environment, we all act and advocate for mitigation strategies such as reduction in emission of Green House Gasses that causes climate change and rise in sea levels. Let us promote the use of clean energy and against fossil fuel.
Governor Fubara further cautioned residents to desist from building on waterways.
“We also need to encourage our people to stop developing buildings on and along natural water courses, indiscriminate sea mining and dredging activities on our coastline without consideration for mangroves and swamps,” he stressed.
He appreciated the author for his advanced contributions to the body of knowledge in both Rivers State and globally.
Also speaking, a former Military Governor of the old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Ditte-Spiff, who was Royal Father at the Event, stated that the book was timely to enable stakeholders manage the challenges of global warming.
“Global warming is real. If it’s not addressed globally, a time will come coastal areas will find themselves under water. The coastline of Nigeria is shocking with many mangroves gone,” he noted.
The Reviewer of the Book, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, Prof Temi Ologunorisa, explained that the 14-chapter book is timeous as it fills literary gaps between desire and available knowledge on coastal flood and erosion in developing communities.,
“A major beauty of the book that sets it apart is the detailed consideration of flood and erosion control from around the world,” he stated, adding that the book is based on detailed field investigation.