Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has made the case for a special day for the celebration of women in his State.
Women are taking center stage as Rivers celebrates its Golden Jubilee all month long.
Dr. Austin Tam-George, State commissioner for information and communication who was speaking to newsmen at the Obi-Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt during the Special Women Day Celebration, said the event was an opportunity to celebrate the women of Rivers for their enduring spirit and resilience since the civil war.
Tam-George said Rivers women have over the years demonstrated hard work and professional excellence in various fields of endeavour.
He assured that the Rivers State Government was committed to supporting women in the State.
According to the Commissioner, “70% of the 35,000 beneficiaries of the enterprise loan given by the Rivers State government in 2016 were women, and record shows that the incentives were judiciously used by the beneficiaries.”
He said the Governor had noted the success recorded in the application of the loan by the beneficiaries to create jobs and expand small and medium scale enterprise development in the State.
The commissioner added that “more empowerment programmes will be unveiled in the State for women to enhance sustainability in food sufficiency and economic self support”.
On the participation of women in politics, the Commissioner said Rivers women were free to pursue their ambitions in the political space, adding that the State stood to gain from the unique perspectives and contributions that women could bring to the process of governance.
Tam-George described Wike as a gender-friendly Governor.
He said the Rivers State Governor did not hand political appointments to women as some patronage, but on merit and excellence, which he described as the hallmark of the Wike administration.
Highlights of the event included special presentation by women from the 23 local governments of Rivers State, and an interactive session anchored by the womenfolk.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate