By Emeka Amaefula
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IN NIGERIA INAUGURATES RIVERS STATE CHAPTER, CALLS FOR INCLUSIVITY OF WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE
The League of Women Voters In Nigeria Rivers state chapter on Friday 25th of October 2024 was inaugurated after its been in operation for more than two years. The chairperson of the occasion and ex officio member and former Commissioner of women Affairs Honourable (Mrs.) Vivien Ngozi Braide in her welcome speech spoke on the values of unity and roles being played by women who are breaking the glass ceilings in leadership in the country requires commendation. She said this bearing in mind the 35 percent affirmative action as women are getting it right both at home, churches and all levels of of governance “Women are nice and women are Godly creatures and that its women that recreate the men. She said that the journey of women in leadership leads to great achievements of women.”
The Founder of League of Women Voters of Nigeria NILWV, Dame Dr. Esther Uduehi who spoke through Zoom highlighted the values women League of women voters that exist in the 774 Local government Areas of Nigeria. She said that women have greater population of voters in the country and that women should be mobilized for the upcoming 2027 General elections as she re-emphasized on the slogan ‘together we, Yes we can’ as Nigeria need women just like human beings need the two eyes to see better. She projected that come 2027 she sees a number of women being elected into positions of leadership as state Governors of various state in the federation. she debunked the common narrative that Women don’t like themselves instead “together we can , Yes, we can’. league of Women Voters of Nigeria has Honourable Irene Awunah-Ikyegh as national President while Mrs. Ruth Davies Ibiamu is Chairperson of All the States Chapters’ Chairmen in Nigeria.
Lady Beatrice Agama MFR, JP who was Mother of the Day in her Goodwill message reiterated the importance of women working together to making the society a better place for all to live.
The Rivers State Chairperson, Mrs. Ruth Davies Ibiamu, in her inauguration address stated that women have one mission which is the advancement of women’s right and to educate women voters to make sure that their voices are heard in the decision making process. “As we embark on this new chapter, i want to emphasize the core mission that unites us all: the advancement of women’s rights and the promotion of democracy in Nigeria. As an organization, we are dedicated to educating women voters, ensuring their voices are heard, and advocating for vital social and political changes” she said. Mrs. Ruth Ibiamu emphasized that 35 % affirmative action on inclusivity of women in political space must make women have impactful actions in the society. Continuing she stated that “Democracy thrives when every citizen especially women can freely participate in the decision-making process that affect their lives and communities”.
She called on the executives who took Oath of office to recommit themselves to educate women on their electoral rights and for them to reach out for voters education as they strife to uplift women in the society through their services. There was inauguration of Local Government Areas Coordinators and Committee Heads alongside this followed with Annual General Meeting.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Dr. (Mrs.) Christie Toby wife of former Deputy Governor Sir Gabriel GTG Toby who in her admonition said that women are Help-meet to men that they must be in charge of the house as home-makers and women must identify their God given roles.
The occasion with theme “Women In leadership, challenges and triumphs” had second part comprising of panelists’ interactive session with participants made up of dame Tamunoibim Semenitari a former Commissioner of Information and Communications, Acting Chairperson Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs. Evelyn Nwosu Zonal Director Port Harcourt Network Center NTA and Lady Anthonia Nkechi Uzor a former Banker and Stock Broker as panelists with Dr. (Mrs.)Mercy Bello Abu as Moderator. Mrs. Semenitari said that NILOWV will in the future political settings set the pace for for aspirants and candidates who will be engaged in Town hall open debates and town hall meetings for them to tell the voters their objectives for leadership. Among those who took the inaugural Oath of Office are Deputy Chairperson Mrs. Ajoke Enebeli; Barr. Adata Bio-Briggs as Legal Adviser; Lady Juliet Akugbo as Director of Programmes; Ms. Ataisi F. Ntene as Director Youth; Dr. Unity Abowei as treasurer; Lady Tonia Uzor as financial Treasurer; Mrs. Ibitamuno Duogbuluma-Abusi Esq. as Secretary and Mrs. Abiye Tobin as Assistant secretary of NILOWV Rivers state chapter.
The registration of members of league of Women Voters of Nigeria begins with financial payments for enrollment, membership dues and payment for wrapper being uniform of the body.
league of Women Voters of Nigeria is a Non-partisan, non-profit organization which has as its main objectives to promote democracy, educate voters and advocate for social and political change in Nigeria. it came into existence in 1986 targeted at empowering women and mobilizing them to participate fully in the democratic process. The members of the group have stated benefits which include education and Information acquired through seminars, workshops, democratic principles women’s right and policy advocacy. Other benefits are networking and collaboration with like-minded individuals, activists and experts in several fields of democracy and women’s rights. Members also benefit from advocacy with lobbying to influence policy-making processes which at the same time promote gender equality, women inclusion in politics and protection of women’s rights. Empowerment and leadership development take center stage among its goals of personal development leadership growth and empowerment through participation in various programs and initiatives.
During the Annual general meeting segment of the occasion the General manager of Rivers state Micro-Finance Agency RIMA Mr. Bob Manuel used the opportunity to enlighten participants on the efforts being made the executive Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for citizens to leverage on the Credit facilities being floated by RIMA such as granting loans for businesses with single digit interest rate of 7.5 percent. he said that women so far remain greatest beneficiaries of the disbursed loans with 1,387 participants women got 818 slots of N800m shared.
The state Chairperson Mrs. Ibiamu urged participants “to remember that the power to shape our future lies within us. We are the architects of change. Let’s lead with courage and conviction, and ensure that every woman in Nigeria knows that her voice matters, her vote counts, and her participation is vital”
———Emeka Amaefula—+234(0)8111813069———
