Rivers
Voters Registration: Dame Judith Recruits 4,600 Women For Rural Sensitisation
The wife of the Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Chibuike Amaechi, has recruited 4,600 women across the 23 local government areas of the state as ambassadors to mobilise and sensitise rural women and young girls for massive turn out during the on-going voters’ registration exercise in the state. The recruitment of the women was the fallout of a three-day voters registration sensitisation programme organised for women of the three senatorial districts, by the governor’s wife last Friday in Port Harcourt. During the programme, with theme, “Reposition Rivers State, Vote Wisely”, Dame Amaechi charged the women to appreciate the importance of voter registration in the electoral process and challenged them to carry the message to the grassroots women, particularly the old women and the less-privileged. She told the 4,600 women to ensure door-to-door mobilisation for massive participation of women during the voters registration exercise in the state. According to her, the 35 per cent affirmative action of women in politics would only be actualised, if women register massively to enable them vote and be voted for. The Rivers State First Lady said the voters’ registration was as important as the children’s future in the state, adding that no children would have access to free education, health among others, if their parents did not have voters cards. Earlier, the representative of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State, Mrs. Ihianyi Nwosu said multiple registration was a serious offence and that those caught will be prosecuted. Mrs. Nwosu, who is the head of technical department INEC in the state, advised the women to shun any influence of politicians that would make them engage in double registration. However, the spokespersons of the three Senatorial Districts of the state, Mrs. Baridoo Gregory Nwidom, chairperson Khana Local Government Area, Evang. Karina Casidy, chairperson Ahoada-West and Lady Oroma Nmerukini, chairperson Port Harcourt City Council commended Dame Judith Amaechi for her vision, assistance and support to women of the State. Enock Epelle