Greetings to our good people of Rivers State. I welcome you to another episode of RivEthics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. Please remember that in violence we forget who we are. The title of this episode is “The Role of Women and Youths in Election”
It is with tearful eyes and a painful heart that I speak to our distinguished listeners concerning elections in Rivers State. A little comparative analysis between River State and other more volatile States in the country depicts us in very terrible light. How could we want to be defined as a violent state and a militarized environment. How do we explain the death of Ms. Ibisaki Amachree who dutifully went to serve her country as an INEC staff and was to return home to her children and family, but only arrived home as a corpse, after being cut down by so-called stray bullets . Her father claimed she was killed by soldiers. Nothing has been confirmed yet as at today. How do we explain this to her children, her parents and her community? How do we explain the several other meaningless deaths that occurred on our sacred soil in River State?
I hereby call on all women and children, to whom this episode is targeted, to rise to their responsibilities and call a halt. Use your influence and prevail on your husbands, sons and fathers to spare a thought and preserve our Rivers heritage. We are not a violent people. We are not a blood-thirsty State. We are a peace-loving people and we deserve a peaceful environment to exercise our civic rights and duties. And remember to continue to pray for God’s intervention in our State. He is the Prince of Peace.
Notwithstanding the ugly events of the last elections, we should not be deterred to go out and vote at the next election. Only in voting can we make the strong statement needed to keep our leaders focused on the issues we bring to the table. We want a better Rivers State where our children and communities have opportunities to exploit their potentials to the fullest. We want an environment where the rights of women and the youths are not only respected but enhanced, and where politics is conducted in a manner that encourages the full participation of women and youths.
Let us listen to our guest speaker as she explores the subject. She is Mrs. Inime Chinwenwo Aguma, a lawyer and the Honourable Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Rivers State. Please enjoy the episode.
Our distinguished people of Rivers State, please remember to always let your manners speak for you.
God bless and keep you and your families and God bless Rivers State.
From Her Excellency,
Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,
The Wife of His Excellency,
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON. GSSRS. POS (Africa).
You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below