Niger Delta
Declining Commitment Of Women In Politics Worries NGO
The Executive Director of Community Partners for Development (CPD), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mrs Nsekpong Udoh, said the commitment of women in politics has declined.
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Saturday, Udoh said that women who were holding political offices were not willing to mentor the young women to attain greater height in their chosen endeavour.
She said that women representatives did not even understand the problems of women they were representing.
“There is an obvious problem we have in the women that are representing us.
“Some of them do not understand the issues of women, they are not the women that have been working on women issues so they cannot go and represent us on what they do not know, Udoh added.
“They get there on the good luck of being a brother, sister, wife or girl friend of one person that has been asked to bring somebody.
“When these women go and sit there, it is difficult for you to explain to them why they should be a part of women programme because they would say; I did not get here courtesy of women, she said.
“I know how I manage to get here.
“Those are the regular responses we get from them, “ Udoh said.
She appealed to those women who had been blessed by God to use their good offices to uplift the younger ones.
Udoh, however, said that women before were more committed to a cause, adding that they made sure they knew what they wanted and they were out to get it.
“The women then did not have more participation than us now, it was not as if they had more money, but they were so committed and they were ready to stake their lives, “she added.
She said that her NGO was acting as partners for United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). UNDEF is the founder, and United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) is the executing agency while CPD is the implementing agency.
The woman activist added that what her organisation had been doing in the past four years was to strengthen the participation of women in politics.
“Strengthening is trying to make sure we have more women going into politics, knowing the need to vote and to be voted for, knowing the need to protect their mandate and making sure they are ready for whatever they go out for. “
She urged women to come out of their shell and aspire to elective positions for a better representation in 2015 and advised that they should not forget the upcoming ones when they get there.
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.