Niger Delta
NAWOJ Partners Group To Fight Female Genital Mutilation
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ Bayelsa State Chapter is partnering with the Campaign Against Female Genital Mutilation, CAGEM to fight against Female Genital Mutilation, (FGM).
The partnership, according to the chairman of the association, Mrs. Timinepere Idoko is to protect the right of women and girls in the country and the international community.
Although, there is no Federal Law on Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria, but advocates believe that the practice presently contravenes section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 constitution which states that “No person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment.
According to sources, Nigeria is one of the five countries that sponsored the resolution of the 46 World Health Assembly calling for the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in all nations as the practice is still rampant in the country.
Although, some states in the world reportedly enacted FGM laws, but implementation of these laws has been a huge challenge.
Sources listed the states as Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross Rivers and Rivers.
Following the challenges, CGEM is expanding its campaign to Nigeria to ensure a total Eradication of Female Genital Mutilation.
Part of the strategies to achieve the mission is to expand the current Fistula Clinic in Port Harcourt and free treatment for victims of FGM.
The Director of CAGEM, Abere Ikiriko, explained the main purpose of the hospital was to provide free clitoral reconstructive surgery, a new procedure for which the organisation is training surgeons in California with the help of clitoral.
Although currently the surgeries are performed in US and France, but transporting patients to these location is a limiting factor.
CAGEM is therefore joining forces with key partners in Nigeria to implement its progress particularly Safehaven International for outreach and managing the CAGEM safehouse for rescued girls and keeping its real foundation for providing education for these girls.
Bayelsa NAWOJ in collaboration with CAGEM has commended women for standing united against this fight, describing the recent 56th session of the UN commission on the status of women last month as a welcome development.
The session has renewed the spirit for the fight against FGM as women from all over the world dicussed the current status of the practice joining in an effort to strengthen the fight against Female Genital Mutilation.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.