A peaceful empowerment programme in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, turned dramatic on Friday when a group of women walked out in protest, demanding the presence of the wife of the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, instead of the wife of the Rivers State Administrator, Mrs. Theresa Ibas.
The event, organized under the Renewed Hope Initiative by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was aimed at distributing empowerment items to 500 women across the state. It was conducted in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Protest Erupts Over Absence of Governor’s Wife
The programme, which had gathered hundreds of women, was briefly disrupted when Mrs. Ibas was invited to deliver a goodwill speech on behalf of Senator Tinubu. A section of the audience reacted strongly, chanting:
“Bring back Fubara, we don’t know Ibas!”
The protesting women then staged a walkout, demanding that Valerie Fubara, the suspended governor’s wife, address them instead. The walkout marked a clear expression of disapproval amid the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.
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Event Continued Despite Protest
Despite the brief disruption, the programme continued indoors without further incident. Mrs. Ibas delivered Senator Remi Tinubu’s address, highlighting the goals and impact of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
She announced that the empowerment drive had already been concluded in Nigeria’s North Central region, with Rivers State marking the final stop in the South-South zone.
18,500 Women Targeted Across Nigeria
According to Senator Tinubu, the initiative is part of a broader national agenda to empower 18,500 women across all six geopolitical zones. The programme aims to promote economic inclusion, tackle poverty, and enable women to become self-reliant.
Items distributed included:
- Freezers
- Gas cookers with ovens
- Grinding machines
- Generators
“These tools are provided to support women in launching or scaling up businesses, which will ultimately contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and stability,” the First Lady stated.
SDGs Office Reinforces Purpose of Initiative
Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, stressed that the scheme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes sustainable development and economic empowerment, especially for women and vulnerable groups.
She urged the beneficiaries to focus on productivity and entrepreneurship amid the nation’s current economic realities.
Selection of Beneficiaries Across Rivers LGAs
Also speaking at the event, Tonye Oniyinde-Briggs, the Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, explained that the 500 women were carefully selected from all 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
She encouraged the recipients to make proper use of the equipment, noting that the programme is designed to be transformational and not merely symbolic.
“We expect these women to build or expand businesses, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” she said.
Political Undercurrents Meet Social Impact
While the protest underscored the political friction within Rivers State, the empowerment programme proceeded as planned, fulfilling its mandate to support women economically.
