Rivers State governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has called on women in the state to pray for him to remain focused in the delivery of development programmes in the interest of the state, as well as pray for his good health and the blessings of God upon his life.
Wike, who made the call yesterday in Port Harcourt, while speaking at the national executive committee and annual general meeting of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), said his administration has impacted positively on the lives of the people of the state through his development programmes and commitment to the welfare of the people.
Enumerating his resolve to give full support to the state chapter of FIDA, the governor stated that the issue of violence against women stemmed from the different upbringing given to the male and female child by parents in the home.
Wike, who was represented by his wife, Hon. Justice Suzzette Eberechi Nyesom Wike, said: “I will do everything in my power and capacity as the governor of Rivers State to support FIDA and the women of Rivers State. Women can be provocative, it should not be an excuse for men to be violent towards women.
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“Our men should be taught to exercise more self control and our women should be less provocative. Men should be the best they can be as husbands so that they can look after their wives.”
The governor, who believed that there was a lot to be achieved in the raising of children, maintained that since all religions preached peace , children should be taught peace and how to be accommodating and tolerant so that the society will be better for it.
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He called for more collaborative efforts between FIDA and non-governmental organisations dealing with actualisation of women’s rights and also advised that FIDA should tilt its advocacy and sensitisation programmes more to women of the rural areas, but should not totally ignore the urban women. Earlier in her speech, chairperson of FIDA in the state, Mrs. Florence Itamunoala, said the theme of this year’s NEC meeting was very apt and germane.
