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International Women’s Day: Advocate Profers Solution To Gender Gaps

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The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), “Women Educators Association of Nigeria (WEAN)”, headquartered in Rivers State, Sylvia Briggs, has profered some solutions to gaps in gender equality in Nigeria.
Briggs, who gave the suggestions in her presentation recently in a programme organised by the Department of Adult Education and Community Development to commemorate the 2026 “International Women’s Day” at the Rivers State University (RSU), emphasised on the need for women to be given their rightful place in society.
According to her, some of the strategies to adopt in seeking to address gender gaps include exposing women to tailored training programmes.
This, she said, can be done by designing adult education programmes that would “cater to the specific needs of women in various sectors, focusing on skills like leadership entrepreneurship and vocational training.”
She said women should be exposed to awareness and sensitisation programmes on what they stand for in the society, and modules should be incorporated in policies to address gender stereotype and biase, while promoting “a culture of equality and inclusivity.”
The CEO further said women should be paired with mentors and role models “who can guide and inspire them, showcasing successful women in various fields.”
She also said women should be given flexible learning schedules such as online courses or part-time programmes to accommodate their care-giving responsibilities, and also be empowered economically with the provision of financial literacy, which should include access to resources such as loans or grants.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the RSU, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who was represented by the Registrar of the school, Dr. Idayingi I. Daminabo, noted that while women are being honoured globally for their strength, resilience and achievements in this year’s International Women’s Day, the honour should cut across all women, not just the trailblazers.
“Let us celebrate not just the trailblazers who paved the way, or continue to empower our women, but also all other women, because when women rise, we all rise together.
“Women never give-up, and have a determined spirit to be go-getters. When a woman is determined, she gets somewhere and tougher.”
While noting that the focus on women doesn’t mean that men are not important, the Vice Chancellor emphasised that the objective is to ensure that society leaves a place for the woman to freely aspire and attain her goals in life.
“Let us give preference to our female child because when you train a female child, you train a nation”, the VC stated.
Also speaking, the immediate past Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Barr. Adata Bio Briggs, thanked the Department of Adult Education and Community Development of the RSU for organising the event to mark the International Women’s Day, noting that globally there’s a call for rights, justice, and action, which, she said, FIDA is passionate about.
While emphasising the importance of education in the fight against gender inequality, she restated the support of FIDA.
“It’s only an educated woman who can navigate the legal protection options available to her. If you’re not educated, it’s going to be very difficult to navigate the legal protection options available to you through the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act to the Child Rights Law.
“So, as we mark today, at FIDA Rivers, we reaffirm our commitment to ensure partnering with institutions like Rivers State University to ensure that justice is accessible to every woman, regardless of her social standing or educational background.
“We’re also committed to ensuring that we extend our advocacy to the remote corners of every community in Rivers State. We’re also committed to taking action against all forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and marginalisation”, she said.
Noting the theme of this year’s event, “Give To Gain”, she said it’s a reminder that “investing in women and girl children is not an act of charity, it’s an act of nation building.
“So, when you give a girl child an education, you give a resilient workforce. So, if every child is educated, you get a workforce that you can count on.”
She, therefore, called on men to give their wives, daughters, and sisters the same rights as they give males around them, and also encouraged women and girls to stand for their rights at all times, knowing that they would always need to demand for it because no one will give it to them.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Head of Department (HoD) of the Department of Adult Education and Community Development in RSU, Dr. Ngozi V. Ben-Osaro, welcomed participants at the event, which included mostly female students of the Department, and urged participants to be the change being pursued in their own little way.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion include: the Dean, Faculty of Education, RSU, Prof. Isaac Dokubo; the President, National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Rivers State, Amb. Princess Jetiba Soberekon; the founder, Tender Succour Initiative, Mr. Obinna Anokwu; and the President, The Events Organisation, who is also the Community Development Practitioner, Tender Succour Initiative, Dr. Chime.
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Rivers

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions 

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The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.
Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited  continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.
He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.
“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.
“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.
In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.
The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.
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Rivers

IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment 

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The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.
It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.
Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.
The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.
It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..
The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.
Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s  profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”
In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.
He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.
Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .
In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.
Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.
Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.
Sogbeba Dokubo
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Rivers

Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation 

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The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.
Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.
“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.
He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.
According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.
Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.
Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.
The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.
He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.
On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.
Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.
They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.
King Onunwor
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