***Thousands of Rivers women celebrate International Women’s Day
Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt
A Port Harcourt High Court has granted the request of the King of Okochiri, in Okrika local government area of Rivers State, High Chief Ateke Micheal Tom in a libel suit he instituted against Eight members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, led by the Deputy Governorship candidate during 2015 elections be served court summons through substituted service.
Justice S.D. Green granted the order that they could be served through newspaper publications or pasted in designated places approve by the court when Mr. Granville Abebo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Counsel to King Ateke Tom complained that the APC Chieftains have been evading service and court summons.
No Counsel represented the APC Chieftains.
The Court adjourned until May 9 for pre-trial conference.
Counsel to Atake Tom, Abebo told Journalists that his client will follow up the case until justice is done.
Peter Edochie, a Nollywood star led some other Nollywood Actors to court in solidarity with Ateke Tom.
Recall that some APC Chieftains had in a pro-Specia Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Campaign last year carried a banner with Ateke Tom’s photo with alleged libelous inscriptions considered to be injurious to the King’s reputation.
Thousands of Rivers women from the 23 Local Government Areas of the state trooped to the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt on Thursday to celebrate the International Women’s Day.
The event was marked by a parade by different women groups, exhibitions, speeches by women leaders and top government officials and traditional dances.
Addressing Rivers women at the event, Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike called for the economic empowerment of women at all levels.
The Rivers Governor’s Wife stated that male and female children should be treated equally by parents for future gender equality.
She said: “Just as we place premium on the boy child, so we should for the girl child. Our girls through equal treatment will be better prepared for future leadership roles”.
The Wife of the Rivers State Governor noted that women who are economically empowered can better handle family challenges, health and other issues.
“If we get it right with economic empowerment for women, everything will fall in place. With economic empowerment, comes everything the woman wants to do for herself “, she said.
She warned against discrimination between girl-child and boy-child in homes. She said the preference of boys over girls.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani said the State Government will institute a women empowerment programme.
Governor Wike said that his administration will always appoint women into key offices and also accord them the deserved recognition.
He called on Rivers women to support the state government as it keeps her promises to the Rivers people.
Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo stated that women will continue to enjoy opportunities in Rivers State through the support of the Rivers State Government.
Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs Ukel Oyaghiri said that the Rivers State Government is creating the right atmosphere for the promotion of gender equality.