The Rivers State Government has called for collaboration among Civil Society Organisations, corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations and well-meaning individuals, with government, to support women and the vulnerable in the society.
Commissioner for women Affairs in the State, Dr. Roseline Uranta, made the call, weekend, in Port Harcourt at a national conference and women empowerment programme, organised by the Rivers State Chapter of  Southern Women Empowerment Forum (SWEF).
Dr. Uranta stressed the need for improved collaboration with development partners in women empowerment, saying the job should not be left for government alone to handle.
She noted that government has demonstrated strong political will and commitment in formulating policies and guidelines to act as the needed framework to achieve the goal of improving  the lot of women and the vulnerable.
She, therefore, called for “greater support from development partners to foster  stronger synergy with government to alleviate the suffering of women and the vulnerable in the state”.
The Commissioner commended the SWEF on the bold initiative to empower over a 100 indigent women in the state, with agricultural produce and grinding machines, describing the gesture as commendable, while urging them not to relent but to continue in the good work, assuring on government’s continued support for such programmes.
On her part, National President of the SWEF, Dr. Helen Taiwo Adebakin, stated that the NGO is focused on resource development at multiple levels.
Such lebels imclude delivering access to education and skills training, providing access to financial resources, such as micro loans and cooperative funding, as well as improved health and social services, which, she said, would ensure that rural women can contribute meaningfully without the burden of preventable diseases.

The SWEF National President further urged the NGO’s matrons and patrons to use their positions to advocate for policies that promote gender equality and resource allocation for rural development.

“Leverage your networks to create opportunities for rural women in Rivers State and beyond”, Adebakin urged, adding that the empowerment of rural women is not just a humanitarian effort, but “an investment in the future of communities within the nation”.

The State Chairperson of SWEF, Lady Adaure Odu, on her part, disclosed that about 10 indigent women were being empowered with multi purpose grinding machines while over 100 would be given agricultural produce to assist them economically.

Lady Odu pledged the unwaivering support  and commitment of the NGO to the cause of women, expressing optimism that with the right steps taken, a more just and equitable society will be achieved where women will thrive.

One of the beneficiaries of the women empowerment programme, Mrs. Josephine Woke, who hails from Obio Akpor, commended the organisers of the empowerment programme and gave assurance of using proceeds from the  grinding machine that she received free of charge to empower other indigent persons around her immediate environment.

Highpoint of the occasion was an award of appreciation to the Hon. Commissioner for women Affairs for her contributions to the cause of women and the vulnerable in the state, and presentation of grinding machines and agricultural seedlings to some indigent women.
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The Rivers State Government is set to launch a skills empowerment initiative in the oil and gas sector for  youths in the State.
The State Commissioner of Employment Generation and Empowerment, Sir Austin Nnadozie, who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, described the initiative as “a significant move to tackle youth unemployment”.
A release signed by the Head of Press in the ministry, Martha Igbiks, stated that the ministry is currently in discussions with several skills development experts for the possible of partnership to provide specialized training for youths in the oil and gas sector.
According to the release, the initiative “is aimed at equipping youths with the requisite skills to increase their chances of employment, and to address companies’ excuses for not hiring due to lack of relevant skills”.
State Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Sir Austin Nnadozie who made this known in Port-Harcourt said,
It quoted the Commissioner as saying that when the skills training commences, it will focus on specialized areas in the oil industry, such as “Directional Drilling, Slick Line, Mechatronics, Mod Engineering, and Argon Welding”.
“Others are Pineline Welding and Fabrication, Electrical Systems and Instrumentation, as well as fashion design, which are presently in high demands”.
The Commissioner, the release further stated, explained that “the goal is to skill- up Rivers people, whether graduates or non-graduates, considering that most job vacancies require people with skills, in order for them to fill such job openings, especially within the oil industry in the State, or be self- employed”.
To achieve this, Nnadozie said, “the Ministry will continue to meet with companies operating in Rivers State to discuss their demands and schedule training programmes accordingly for the youths.
“This demonstrates the State Government’s commitment to empowering Rivers State youths and fostering economic growth in the region.
“The Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, established in July 2003, aims to provide individual citizens with gainful employment and empowering them with skills to become self-reliant”.

Southern Women Empowerment Forum (SWEF), a non-governmental organisation, has said the empowerment of rural women remains the only catalyst for sustainable economic development.
National President of the forum, Dr. Helen Taiwo, stated this at an investiture of matrons and patrons by the Rivers State Chapter of the forum in Port Harcourt.
The theme of the event was, “Resource Development: A Basic Need for Rural Women Empowerment”.
Dr. Taiwo said, “when society unlock the potentials of women, it is unlocking the potential of entire community”.
She described the theme of the programme as apt, saying “the theme of today’s event underscores the critical role of resource development in women’s empowerment”, and observed the challenges facing rural women to include limited access to education, economic opportunities and healthcare, as well as societal constraints that hinder their potential.
“Yet they are pillars of their communities, contributing significantly to agriculture, trade and household management”, she said.
The SWEF President also listed areas in which rural women can be empowered to include access to education and skills training, access to economic empowerment initiative, health care and infrastructural technology, and access to clean water.
Taiwo said the group is committed to ensuring that no woman is left behind in the scheme of things.
She also tasked the matrons and patrons to act as advocates that will push for policies that will promote gender equality and resource allocation for rural women.
In her keynote address, the Chairman of Labour Party(LP), Rivers State, Hilda Dokubo, said quality education is a must for the girl child.
“Let us stop economic restrictions/economic empowerment. We need to empower the women”, she stated.
Also speaking, HRM King Ogube said the future of the society is dependent on women empowerment.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator/Convener, SWEF, Lady Adaure Odu, said the event was to celebrate women empowerment, recognize the contributions of their patrons and matrons, and reaffirm the Commitment to  promoting gender equality and social justice
Lady Odu said time has come for the society to work together to break down barriers , challenge stereotypes and create opportunities for women to thrive.
She said the investiture ceremony marks significant milestone in the journey towards empowering women and promoting social change and urged the matrons and patrons to continue championing the cause of women’s empowerment.

By: John Bibor