The Rivers State Government says it is poised to continue to work assiduously towards building a State that is safe, prosperous, and equitable for all.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu made this assertion during the Celebration of the 2024 International Widow’s Day, organized by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Rivers State Branch at the NBA House in Port Harcourt on Monday, 24th June 2024.

The Deputy Governor said the Governor Siminalayi Fubara, led Administration has taken bold steps towards women empowerment, including widows, by providing support for education, entrepreneurship, and health services.

She expressed the importance of the event which focused on accelerating the achievement of gender equality, noting that gender equality is not just a women’s issue, it is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of a just and prosperous society.

Prof. Odu further said “when we empower women, we empower entire communities, when we empower women, we invest in women’s health, education and economic opportunities; we invest in our collective future”.

According to the Deputy Governor, activities planned for the day which includes health checkups, skills acquisition training are practical steps towards gender equity, stressing that the initiative recognizes that true empowerment comes through holistic support.

She noted that discriminatory practices, outdated customs and harmful stereo types that hold women back must be challenged and ensure that our laws protect women’s rights.

The Deputy Governor who applauded the widows for their resilience in the face of adversity, commended the International Federation of Female Lawyers for organizing this event, and urged all stakeholders to take action towards ensuring that we build a society where widows are treated with respect, dignity, and fairness.

Earlier in her address the Chairperson of FIDA, Rivers State, Barr. Adanta Bio-Briggs said the program which is aimed at enriching the widows would feature health talks; free legal talk on their rights, domestic food gardening that will equip them with skills to enhance their self sufficiency and nutrition.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Occasion, Dame. Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, said widowhood should not be stigmatized, because it is not something that you wish upon yourself, while commending the present leadership of the Association for upholding the values and objectives of the body over the years.

In her keynote address, on the theme “Accelerating The Achievement of Gender Equality,’ the Solicitor -General and Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Barr.  Ibiwari Clapton – Ogolo, said the establishment of FIDA Rivers State in 1993 was a crucial step in providing structural approach to addressing gender inequalities through legal advocacy and support.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of an Award of Appreciation to the Deputy Governor health talks, talk on widow’s rights as well as empowerment.

The Federal Executive Council yesterday stepped down a memorandum on the report of the Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage.

This is to allow for more consultations between President Bola Tinubu, state governors, local government authorities and the private sector.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to journalists, yesterday, after the FEC’s meeting at the State House, Abuja.

Idris said the council deferred acting on the memo given that the Federal Government is not the sole stakeholder on the national minimum wage issue.

According to him, the President needs to interact with other wage-paying entities to factor their contributions and circumstances into the executive bill on the matter that will be passed on to the National Assembly for passage into law.

“I want to inform Nigerians here that the Federal Executive Council deliberated on that (minimum wage) and the decision is that because the new national minimum wage is not just that of the Federal Government, it is an issue that involves the Federal Government, the state governments, local governments, and the organised private sector and of course, including the organised labour.

“That memo was stepped down to enable Mr President to consult further, especially with the state governors and the organised private sector, before he makes a presentation to the National Assembly before an executive bill is presented to the National Assembly.

“So I want to state that on the new national minimum wage, Mr President is going to consult further so that he can have an informed position because the new national minimum wage, as I said, is not just an issue of the Federal Government,” Idris stated.

He added that the President has studied the report and will “consult wider before a final submission is being made to the National Assembly.”

The Tripartite Committee on the new national minimum wage established in January had reviewed the wages to N62,000 from the current N30,000. The committee comprises the government’s team, the organised labour and the organised private sector.

However, the organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress demanded N250,000 living wage.

Yesterday’s decision follows a statement by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, saying that the organised labour had expected the President to reach out to the members of the Tripartite Committee to harmonise the figure.

Ajaero said this is expected given a stalemate at the end of the Tripartite Committee meeting.