Women must struggle for political power says Governor Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advised women to struggle for power, rather than expect that men will bequeath power to them on a platter of gold.

This is as Former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan declared that Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has worked hard to empower Rivers women.

Also, Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike described  her husband  as a women-friendly governor who is implementing  policies and programmes to uplift  women.

They spoke at the Women’s Day of the Rivers Golden Jubilee Celebration in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Governor Wike said that nobody is stopping women from excelling  in the political arena, pointing  out  that women must work  for their political  emancipation.

He said: "When it comes to power, you have to struggle for  it. If you  are prepared for politics, you must equipment yourself ".

The governor urged women  not to beg for positions. He said they should set up structures that would help them get political  mileage.

He, however, assured Rivers women that he will  continue to work for their development  and growth in all spheres  of life.

The governor  announced that his administration  will  construct  a women development  centre with all facilities to empower Women.

Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan said Rivers women will remain grateful  to Governor Wike  for giving them political and professional leverage.

She said that the governor’s  choice of female deputy governor  and the appointment of the first female Chief Judge and President of Customary Court of Appeal ensured that Rivers women took their pride of place in politics.

Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike said the Women’s Day  is set aside to honour women for their contributions  to  the  creation and growth of the state.

While saying that efforts to empower Women must be strengthened, Justice Nyesom-Wike noted that women have attained  positions of responsibility, not envisaged  before.

In her guest lecture, Wife of Former President of Nigeria, Professor Uche Nnamdi Azikiwe said violence can only be reduced across the world when women assume  leadership.

In her paper titled: "Status of Women and politics in Nigeria ",,Prof  Azikiwe said the political  marginalisation  being suffered by women  are man-made.

She urged women to unite  and play significant  roles in their respective communities. She called for urgent steps  to address the dwindling fortunes of women in Nigerian politics.

Chairman of the Rivers Golden Jubilee Committee, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra lauded Rivers women for their roles in the development of the state.

The Women’s Day of the Rivers Golden Jubilee Celebration witnessed Special Songs by New Rivers Vision Women Team, cuisine, art and craft competition, traditional dances and traditional fashion parade.

Highpoint  of the event was the special recognition and presentation of gifts to Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Wife of the Former President, Professor Uche Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ms Ankio Briggs, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Mrs Hannah Aguma and other women by the Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike.