By Emeka Amaefula
WHY I SUPPORT RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVES RDI —- RIVERS STATE FIRST LADY, VALERIE FUBARA REVEALED
–WINS 2024 WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Rivers state First Lady, Lady Valerie Fubara on Sunday 18th August, 2024 was bestowed with Woman of the Year award by Wisdom For Women International an arm of Triumphant Christian Ministries led by Apostle Marjorie Esomowei a London based Clergy Lady. The event took place at Golden Tulip Hotel GRA Phase 2 Port Harcourt Rivers state capital.
According to the organizers of the Charity based group, Her Excellency was selected by a team of Judges who nominated her due to her works in building the lives of women and families in Rivers state and beyond.
The award is currently in its 9th year in which several women of repute have been accorded such honour in the past with the award conferred on them. Lady Valerie Fubara has in the past 1 months of the administration of His Excellency Sir Siminialayi Fubara embarked on Maternal Healthcare and breast-feeding awareness in all the Primary Healthcare Centres across the 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers state.
Speaking after receiving the award at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt on Sunday evening, Lady Fubara, who was represented by former Commissioner For Culture and Tourism Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, expressed gratitude to the Wisdom for Women International for counting her worthy for the award.
The Rivers state First lady noted the deliberate efforts and sacrifices made by her office to grow the community and put food on the table for women of Rivers State has distinguished her as a passionate helper. As Mrs. Briggs-Oniyide said “Quite frankly, she never saw this coming, not because Her Excellency has not been making sacrifices to grow the community and put food on the table for women of Rivers State, but because she is a passionate healer.
“Her Excellency, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara appreciates this honour and it is a sign of many more opportunities that will open. She is, indeed, always available to help.”
She commended the Wisdom for Women International for their charitable works geared towards making Christian families have a sense of belonging, emphasising that their activities are a demonstration of their generous, focused and deliberate service to God over the years.
She further said, “Her Excellency has also asked me to appreciate you, the organizers of the Wise Women Awards for your charitable works and for making Christian families have hope through your numerous programmes.”
According to her, “It is proof that you have been very generous, focused and deliberate in the service of God these nine years. Only God can reward you.”
The wife of the Governor asserted that it is against this backdrop that she has thrown her weight behind the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the pet project of the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, cognizance of the impact it gives society, particularly women.
“Coincidentally, it is also for this reason that she has given her full support to the Renewed Hope Initiative, the pet programme of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because of the value the Renewed Hope Initiative brings to the community, especially women”, she noted. Her achievements included Healthcare advocacy especially during the April 7th, 2024 World Health day celebration where Rivers state First Lady said “With the theme ‘My Health My Right’, we firmly believe that every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances deserves the right to enjoy good health and life as fundamental Human right. We must continue too advocate for policies that prioritize health equity, challenge systemic barriers and ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all regardless of their circumstances. Her Renewed Hope Initiatives Support for Rivers state Elderly was ;launched by Nigeria’s First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu where Rivers state First Lady, Valerie Fubara distributed financial grants and other item to the elderly.
In her remarks, the Founder, Wise Women Awards, Apostle Marjorie Esomowei, said the award, which is the 9th in the series in Nigeria, seeks to highlight and recognize the contributions of women from Nigeria’s Christian community, which they have made within the church and wider society.
Apostle Esomowei noted that the awardees were chosen by the Executive Team and Judges after careful evaluation of their credibility and services in society.
In his remarks, the Founder and Presiding Bishop of Logos Ministries Worldwide, Dr. Yomi Isijola, who observed that women are vulnerable and ready tools for the devil, thanked the Wisdom for Women International for doing a great job by searching out women who have used their positions to impact society.
Also speaking, the President, Truevine Women International Outreach and past recipient of the Wise Women Award, Pastor Ene Secondus, who observed that it is good to give a pat on the back of those who have worked to impact society as a mark of appreciation, lauded the Founder of the Wise Women Award for recognizing the awardees, which according to her, will spur others to work harder and contribute to the growth of the society.
The Rivers state First Lady, Lady Valerie through the office of women Affairs had carried out many projects that have impacted much on women of Rivers state with the distribution of Federal government tools for Rivers state women. Such empowerment has gone a long way in putting food on the tables of majority of the Rivers state women across the 319 electoral wards.
———Emeka Amaefula—-+234(0)8111813069—