The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has declared the commitment of the Commission to build and equip women development centres across the Niger Delta as part of measures to develop the capacity of women in the region.
Mr. Ekere made the promise when members of the Forum of Niger Delta Women, FNDW, paid him a courtesy visit at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer said that the Commission would work closely with the women forum on the programmes designed for women in the Niger Delta, especially in the area of skill acquisition and training in agriculture.
Mr. Ekere stressed the need for sustainability in development programmes, noting that it was at the heart of growth and progress. He added: “In our training programmes, we endeavor to provide starter packs and seed capital to ensure sustainability.” Unfortunately, he said, some of the trainees sell their starter-packs and reverse the gains of the programmes.
The NDDC boss acknowledged the role of women as “drivers of the society,” stating that the society was made up of family units. “The greatest influence on a child is the mother. The mothers spend more time with their children,” he said.
Mr. Ekere affirmed that women are vital to the country’s development, adding that they shape the thinking of society and order the ways of the youths. He stated: “You are the drivers of domestic economy in the rural communities. Whoever jokes with women will have him or herself to blame.”
He urged the women to help to talk to the young ones to shun acts of violence and criminality that were inimical to the progress of the country, warning that a situation where youths attacked oil installations was like shooting themselves on the foot.
The NDDC Managing Director charged the women to support the government of President Muhammadu Buhari because “it has done very well for the people of the Niger Delta.” He said: “President Buhari loves the Niger Delta. So, we must pray for him and for peace in our country.”
The coordinator of the women forum, Hon. Maureen Tamuno, said that the Niger Delta women were willing to participate fully in the transformation of the present government. She called for the building of women centers in every State and Local Government Area in the Niger Delta region.
Mrs Tamuno commended the prompt actions of the NDDC in policy formulation and implementation for the improvement of the lives of the common people. She said: “It is very heartwarming to mention that we have observed with pleasure the Commission’s desire to bring about development and readiness to engage women and youths with the aim of curbing restiveness in the society.”
