Women of Okrika and Ogu-Bolo have been awarded N100million by Governor Nyesom Wike who said their heroics in blocking election rigging in March 2019 had made them defenders of democracy.
The governor, who played host to the Okrika women on Friday, February 28, 2020, in Government House in Port Harcourt, called it Empowerment Fund for Wakrike Women.
Wike also announced numerous projects that would come to the area in honour of the women.
It will be recalled that some blocked the backyard of the compound where collation was going on at night and said they blocked persons dressed in military fatigue that allegedly jumped into the yard. The women said the ‘solders’ were coming to smuggle in fake results.
Wike decried what he called the inability of the country to conduct credible elections after several years of practising democracy. He said: “It is unfortunate that the giant of Africa lacks the capacity to conduct credible elections”.
While commending the Wakirike women for defending the Rivers mandate against the invading soldiers, Governor Wike urged Rivers people to always ensure that their votes count during elections.
He said that out of the N100m meant for the empowerment programme for the courageous women of Wakirike ethnic nationality, N50m has been reserved for Okrika LGA and N50m for Ogu/Bolo LGA.
Governor Wike commended Wakirike people for maintaining peace in the area, saying that his administration would fulfill key developmental pledges to them.
He stated that he will extend electricity to Okrika Local Government Area and work towards the construction of the Jetty at Isaka.
The governor further noted that he will link Ogu and Wakama communities as he promised during his campaign. He added that the next phase of Okochiri internal roads will be completed by his administration.
On the Okrika Grammar School, Governor Wike urged the leaders of the area to write to the Anglican Church for the school to be released to the state government for total reconstruction.
In an address on behalf of the Wakirike ethnic nationality, George Sekibo, said that they were at the Government House to congratulate the Rivers State Governor on his well deserved victory at the polls.
He urged the Rivers State Governor to reach out to the Wakirike women who courageously defended Rivers votes, despite the deployment of soldiers.
Ignatius Chukwu
