By – Memoye Oghu (Port Harcourt)
The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has been described as the bedrock of the Women Affairs Ministry.
This assertion was made in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State on Friday by the Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Roseline Apawari Uranta when the State Branch of the Society led by its President, Princess Jetiba Soberekon paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner in her office.
Dr Uranta noted with delight the active involvement of NCWS that led to the establishment of the Ministry. “I have been on the know of the Society far back when the Ministry of Social Welfare was supervising its activities in the early eighties.
” My Ministry will continue to work hand in hand with the Society as the apex body of all women organisations in the State to improve and upgrade the status of women and children in our society”.
On the request for office space, the Commissioner assured the Society that measures would be taken to address this essential need.
She also said the call for assistance to enable major stakeholders in Women Affairs to attend the International Council of Women Meeting taking place in Manila, Philippines in November this year would be taken to appropriate quarters.
She commended the present Executive for sustaining the Society after the long period of non existence and hoped that the Society continue to play its role as the coordinating body of all women groups.
Earlier in her address, President of the Society, Princess Jetiba Soberekon had expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara for working with a one time President of NCWS as his Deputy in person of Professor Ngozi Odu, a seasoned administrator par Excellent and the appointment of Dr Roseline Apawari Uranta as Commissioner for Women Affairs.
Princess Soberekon appealed to the State Government through the Commissioner for the provision of office space, saying that presently they operate in the home of one of its members as office.
The President also solicited for the sponsorship of selected key Women leaders from the State to attend the Executive Committee of the International Council of Women taking place from November 6 to 9 this year in Philippines.
She pledged the full cooperation of the Society to work with the Commissioner to fight against issues affecting women and children in the State.