Delta State Governor and State Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has again been commended for according women and girls their due recognition in terms of political appointments, recruitments into the civil service, socioeconomic empowerment, political participation and greater roles in governance.
The commendation was contained in a communique issued at the end of Match 2022 meeting of the Coalition for Media Politics and Governance, CMPG, held on Wednesday in Asaba, the state capital.
The communique signed by the State Chairman, Chief Barr Fred Latimore Oghenedivbe (Delta Central), Deputy Chairman, Hon William Eghebi (Delta North) and Hon Ekengbuda Toju Robinson , Deputy Chairman (Delta South), said Okowa has been and still gender friendly as reflected in the number of women in the state executive council and other political appointments across board.
CMPG noted that in the past local government elections, several women were elected as Council Vice Chairmen and Councillors in the twenty five LGAs in the state, adding that the governor took a step further to establish the Girl Child Empowerment and Wealth Creation Office to exclusively cater for vocational training, capacity building and funding of multifaced small scale businesses for girls between ages 18 and 30, across the three senatorial districts in the state.
The group also praised the enviable contributions of women and girls to the rapid economic development of the state, adding that Nigerian women are extremely hardworking and have contributed in no small measures to states and nation building; and therefore deserves reasonable percentage in the allocation of political power and juicy positions in governance and party leadership across board.
CMPG congratulated Nigerian Women on the occasion of the 2022 International Women’s Day Celebration with the theme; “Break The Bias” and urged the National Assembly to emulate the pro gender equality policy of the governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, by granting the reasonable requests to upscale women slots in representative government, balance their citizenship with that of their husbands, as well as other progressive issues raised in order to provide lasting solutions to the vexed issue of gender inequality.
In the same token, CMPG canvassed constitutional rules for traditional rulers in Nigeria, because of their inestimable wealth of wisdom, local administrative efforts and for being the custodians of multifaced customs and traditions of the people in various kingdoms, diverse ethnic nationalities and several communities across Nigeria.
CMPG noted with dismay the negative attitudes of some politicians and their deviant supporters who have been insulting traditional rulers for the sake of their selfish political interests, a development the group condemned in its entirety and appealed to those involved in the despicable act to stop forthwith, tender public apology and to never again desecrate royalty and the traditional institutions in the state.
The group posited in the communique that no responsible individual will be able to summon courage to abuse and insult traditional rulers; except those morally deficient and social deviants as we now see and read on social media platforms, and urged its members never to join issues with any member of the state council of traditional rulers, but to serve, honour and appreciate them from time to time.
“CMPG congratulates Nigeria Women and women all over the world on the occasion of the 2022 Women’s Day Celebration tagged ‘Break The Bias.’ The best time to break the bias is now because Nigerian women have contributed in multifaceted ways towards nation building and the advancement of constitutional democracy, apart from managing the home front while the men are away for whatever reasons.
“Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, is a good ambassador of the women folk. He has been and still gender friendly in the distribution of resources, political appointments, recruitments into the civil service, human capacity development, job and wealth creation.
“Another 1,000 set of girls have been scheduled to graduate on Thursday 10th March, 2022 and will be presented with starter packs and cash to enable them say goodbye to the labour market, leave the streets, become bread winners and employers of labour under the state government sponsored Girl Child Empowerment and Wealth Creation Programme managed efficiently and effectively by SSA on Girl Child Empowerment Office, Mrs Barr. Merilyn Okowa-Daramola.
“Gov Okowa consistently increased the number of women in political appointments, and more particularly the number of women in the state executive council. Delta is far ahead other states in balancing gender equality in governance and political leadership.
“The National Assembly should of a necessity emulate Delta state governor by granting the women requests before it. Their slots and roles must be entrenched in the ongoing amendment of the nation’s constitution.
“CMPG is in full support of constitutional roles for traditional rulers in Nigeria. They are the custodians of our customs and traditions, and also performs quasi judicial and administrative functions as can be seen from the dispensation of justice at council of chiefs meetings presided over by the Traditional Rulers, also known in some jurisdictions as Oba-in-Council or Obi-in-Council.
“We wish to appeal to some politicians and their supporters to stop abusing and insulting our royal fathers, because of their selfish political interests. It must stop right now. No responsible and well cultured individual will desecrate our highly respected traditional institutions, on the altar of partisan politics,” CMPG said.
The meeting adopted the nomination of Hon Ekengbuda Toju Robinson as CMPG Deputy Chairman (Delta South) to replace Comrade Edwin Afejuku who has been incapacitated and decided to step aside. Ekengbuda’s adoption was greeted with loud ovation. He accepted the position and thanked the Chairman and members for counting him worthy to serve in the state exco.
The meeting also resolved to launch the Book titled “THE MAN, OKOWA” written by the Publicity Secretary of CMPG, Hon Tagbarha Malcolm. The group will liaise with the state government and senior government officials to ensure a ground breaking book launch ceremony. Date, venue and time to be announced in due course.
The meeting adjourned to April and members moved to the state SQUASH CLUB to celebrate birthday anniversaries of Ambassador Blankson Harold, Comrade Azu Austin, Lilly Udeze Okolugbo, Dedication of Baby Maxx Igho Tagbarha and the new car purchased by CMPG State Secretary, Comrade Fatai Onifade. The entertainment was sponsored by CMPG Convener/State Chairman, Olorogun Barr Fred Latimore Oghenedivbe, JP.