Women Empowerment Takes Center Stage as Otuaro Interfaces with N'Delta Women in Delta

Women Empowerment Takes Center Stage as Otuaro Interfaces with N'Delta Women in Delta 

Francis Tayor

Warri _____ In continuation of engaging critical stakeholders to sustain the existing peace in the Niger Delta region, the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro on Wednesday brainstormed with the mothers of Niger Delta in order to profer possible solutions in tackling youth unemployment in the region.

Otuaro, speaking during the meeting appreciated the women for turning up enmasse to contribute their ideas as critical stakeholders in sustaining peace, stability and development in the Niger Delta.

He acknowledged that women were the first casualties in the Niger Delta crisis before amnesty was declared by federal government to curbed the tension in 2009.

He however, lamented that since the inception of the amnesty program, the women were not carried along, hence the need for this stakeholders meeting to hear from them on the areas to be trained for proper empowerment.

Otuaro highlighted the progresses made so far by the amnesty office, citing that approximately 780 women have been sent to school, 1,389 women have received training, and about 1,000 women have been economically empowered. 

He stressed that women's contributions are vital to building a robust home and community, and their empowerment is essential for meaningful participation in the peace-building process, he stated.

Reacting to the development, a renowned Niger Delta human rights activist, Ankio Briggs commended Otuaro for his laudable reforms ongoing in the amnesty program.

She noted the men played a vital role in the Niger Delta struggle but the mothers paid the supreme price in protecting and safeguarding the children at home during the agitation.

The 72 years old Rivers born rights activist noted despite the sacrifices made by the women, it was unfortunate they were not recognized and carried along in the scheme of things by the men.

However, she was very pleased with the approach of Dr. Otuaro for recognizing the women for the first time since the inception of the amnesty program.

She maintained that Nigeria wouldn't have enjoyed the current peace in the country without the women of the Niger Delta region, while charging the men to show some respect to the women in the society, the statement added.

In her remark, a renowned women leader of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Triple Chief. Vero Tangbeiwei, the Eyelaere of ljaw nation also appreciated Otuaro for recognizing the women.

She admonished the women to make good use of the opportunity to express their mind with the amnesty administrator in order to be incorporated into the system.

Meanwhile, during the interactive session, Mrs. Tonbra Kasikoro thanked the amnesty coordinator for the opportunity to interface with the women. She revealed that most of the women are into agriculture, especially fish farming, while charging Otuaro to consider that area for training.

While Dr. Lulu Fubara from Bonny Island suggested partnership with state and local government to revamp craft centers to enable the women learn skills of their choice to be empowered.

She suggested that the youths in the rural areas need to be educated on computer skills so as to enable them write and pass the computer base test Jamb to further their education.

Dr. Lulu further appealed for grant to enable the women start up business to manage their homes. Finally, she urged the Coordinator to do proper rehabilitation and reintegration of the youths so as to save them from the influence of drug addicts and other social vices in the society.

While others appealed for enduring employment where they can earned monthly stipends so as to support in taking care of the home without depending on their husbands.

However, having heard from the Niger Delta women suggestions, the Amnesty Administrator, Otuaro appreciated them for the brilliant ideas generated, and promised to look into it holistically to reach out to them for proper empowerment.