Ruth Davies Ibiamu Becomes Chairperson NILOWV, Rivers Chapter

Mary Nnah

President General of Women of Glory Foundation, Mrs Ruth Davies Ibiamu has been made Chairperson of League of Women voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), Rivers state chapter.

League of Women voters of Nigeria is an all-female organisation founded in 1996 by Dame (Dr) Esther Uduehi following the end of the fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing China in 1995 to help women play a larger role in Government and Public Affairs in Nigeria in consonance with the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for action.

During the inauguration of the States Chairpersons in Abuja on Thursday, the new President of NILOWV, Mrs Irene Awunah-Ikyegh said Ibiamu appointment as the Chairperson of the League in Rivers State is is a call to duty and action to mobilise women at the state and local government level for governance.

” Since inception, NILOWV has significantly increased the number of female voters registered as a result of the Leagues mobilisation efforts. For us at NILOWV, our political party is ”Women.” We onboard registered women voters and avail them all forms of support knowing that political parties do not accord women the much needed opportunities to thrive in politics.”Ikyegh said.

In her response, Ibiamu said during her tenure as the Chairperson of NILOWV in Rivers State, she will go down to the grassroot to mobilise more women in the rural area.

“We will mobilise women in the grassroot to participate in the electoral process and to vote for other women. We need to go down to that woman in the community to let her know that her vote counts and make her understand that her voice is needed. We cannot sit down and be complaining. We need to get involved in the political process. ” Ibiamu said.

In her address,the Country Representative UN Women, Ms Beatrice Eyong who was represented by the Team Leader Governance ,UN Women,Zaphaniah Aura, said Nigerian women, like others in many African continent,have a shared
history of oppression, political exclusion and
under-representation in governance, politics and
decision-making processes.

“Data from the 2023 general elections shows that Nigeria is regressing, and is far behind in terms ofmwomen representation, with only 5.44% at the state level and 4% at the National Assembly.

More than ever before, we need to intensify our efforts to addressing equality in political leadership and representation.” Aura said.

The Deputy Speaker,Hon.Benjamin Kalu who was represented by Dr Lilian Agbazue, said the House of Representatives has taken several initiatives to review laws and sections of the Constitution on gender-sensitive legislation and affirmative action.

” It is high time we include more women in governance,both in terms of appointments and elective positions.When we do this,you will find out that we will have a better country.” Agbazue said.

The Key-note Speaker and Federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission, Hon.Ginika Tor urged the new National executive of NILOWV to carry every woman along at every level tasking them to be very functional in their new roles.

The inauguration of a new National executive committee marks the commencement of a new leadership regime which would be hinged on the pillars of enhanced partnership, accountability, inclusion and collective decision making where every one’s opinion is prioritised and taken into account.