Ahead of this year’s International Women’s Day, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has been eulogized for his unwavering support for the increased participation of women in Politics.

Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area of the State, Anengi Barasua gave this eulogy while delivering a speech at the Flag-Off Ceremony for the Bonny Island Insecticide Treated Net Distribution on Saturday, March 5, 2022.

She stated that her emergence as Chairman of Bonny LGA was a consequence of the Governor’s commitment to expand the scope of participation for women in the political space, stressing that the State Chief Executive deserves accolades for his unflinching faith in women to exude capacity in governance.

“I cannot end this speech without thanking our dear Executive Governor, His Excellency, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, who is ably represented here by the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo for his firm and unshakable commitment to empowering women to take their pride of place in Politics.”

“I am Executive Chairman of Bonny LGA today as a consequence of the expression of that conviction.”

Kristina Reports checks indicate that since the assumption of office as Governor of Rivers State by Nyesom Wike, three women and 24 women have become chairmen and vice chairmen of LGAs, respectively.

Aside these, the Governor has engendered a massive escalation of women involvement across the broad spectrum of governance in the State and beyond. Under the Nyesom Wike led administration, Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra became the first female Chief Judge of the State, just as almost 20 women have been elevated to the positions of magistrate, chief magistrate and high court judges.

On the political turf, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo is currently the first two term female Deputy Governor of the State; Senator Betty Apiafi is currently representing Rivers West Senatorial District, while Hon. Boma Goodhead is in the House of Representatives; this is aside several female Commissioners and heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in the State.   

According to a member of the State Executive Council, who preferred anonymity, “Governor Nyesom Wike believes in women and has done so much to empower women. You know, Her Excellency, the First Lady is a celebrated judge in the State Judiciary, we also have a trailblazing incumbent female Senator in Rivers State in the person of Mrs Betty Jocelyne Okagua – Apiafi ”

“You as well recall the deft moves His Excellency made in the situations involving the former First Lady and Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili, and former acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Mrs. Joy Nunieh; these are the doings of pro-women Governor.”