A significant milestone in the pursuit of social equity was reached this week as the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr Inyingi Brown, championed a renewed vision for gender parity within the heart of the state’s public administration. Addressing the 2025 Biennial Conference of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Rivers State Branch, Dr Brown articulated a state-led mandate to dismantle professional barriers, ensuring that the women of Rivers State are positioned as indispensable catalysts for governance and regional prosperity.
“The empowerment of women within our public institutions remains a cornerstone of this administration,” Dr Brown remarked. “Achieving a harmonious gender balance is not merely a matter of representation; it is a fundamental prerequisite for effective service delivery and the attainment of sustainable national growth.”
The conference, themed “Empowering the Woman, Transforming the State: Navigating Economic Realities and Driving Inclusive Growth,” served as a platform for rigorous intellectual and socio-economic discourse.
Delivering a stirring keynote address, the eminent Professor Julie Umokoro implored governments at all tiers to move beyond rhetoric and intensify tangible efforts toward the economic liberation of women. Professor Umokoro specifically highlighted the necessity of financial reform, advocating for the provision of low-interest credit facilities. Such measures, she argued, are essential to bolster female-led entrepreneurship and enhance the overall productivity of the regional economy.
Earlier in the proceedings, the President of the NCWS in Rivers State, Jetiba Soberekon, offered a nuanced appraisal of the current landscape. While she commended the documented progress regarding women’s rights and political inclusion, Mrs Soberekon issued a sobering reminder of the hurdles that remain. She noted that many women across the state continue to grapple with “significant socio-economic challenges” that necessitate deliberate and targeted policy interventions.
As the sun set over the Treasure Base of the Nation, the consensus among the delegates was clear: the transformation of Rivers State is inextricably linked to the elevation of its women. The 2025 conference concludes not just as a meeting of minds, but as a mandate for a more inclusive and prosperous future.
The national Council for Women Societies (NCWS) Rivers State Branch.
2025 Biennial Conference.
Titled:
Empowering The Woman, Transforming The State: Navigating Economic Realities And Driving Inclusive Growth.
The National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) is Nigeria’s premier umbrella organization that brings together women’s groups and associations across the country. Founded in 1958, NCWS has consistently championed the cause of Nigerian women, advocating for gender equity, social justice, and inclusive national development.
Our mission is to unify and empower Nigerian women through advocacy, capacity-building, policy engagement, and grassroots mobilization. We strive to create a society where every woman has a voice, access to opportunities, and the ability to shape her own future.
Our Vision
We envision a Nigeria where women are fully empowered, respected, and active contributors in every aspect of national life – from the home to the parliament, from the marketplace to the boardroom.