The beautiful women from the host communities of Total Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria Limited in the Niger Delta, who wore classy uniform provided by the oil giant, were specially celebrated in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The celebration, which took place at Total Base, Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout in the Garden City, attracted many resource persons, with some eminent men also in attendance to make the occasion grand, but all the resource persons were women, as a form of motivation for others.
The well-attended annual event, a capacity development workshop for the women, was part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, with the theme: “Be Bold For Change.”
The International Women’s Day is a day set aside by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate women achievements throughout history and across nations. It is also known as the United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.
The 2017 theme is tailored towards addressing the rising disparity between men and women, which is a call for all women to take unprecedented actions in all spheres of life.
Poverty used to be more acute among women living in rural areas, while women were hitherto poorer, because they had fewer economic opportunities and less autonomy than men.
Women are currently striving to work harder to build a better world and participate more actively in the development process, while it is pertinent to stress that when women are given opportunities, they will surely do well.
At Total’s workshop, papers were presented by Southsouth Zonal Operations Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mrs. Chioma Njoku; an Assistant Director in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Emem Daniel, and the Founder of Tin Industrial Services Limited, Mrs. Tina Njoku.
The DPR boss said: “We need to celebrate women everyday. Stop exploiting women. While women are being bold for change, they must not be insultive, disrespectful, arrogant or impolite. The powers of women are enormous, but they must change the way they do things/change their attitude and make themselves relevant.
“Women must be adequately empowered, but they must start the change from their tiny corners. Let men know that women also have brains/something upstairs, are competent not to limit themselves and not to be afraid of challenging jobs, but to embrace hard work.”
In her presentation, the assistant director in the Akwa Ibom state ministry of justice stated that women would always hold the key to peace in families, for the communities to be at peace, but urged the women to add value to themselves.
Daniel, a lawyer, admonished the women to always take good care of their children and their homes, stressing that women must not be predictable, declaring that the change they want must start with themselves.
The assistant director said: “I love being a woman. Women are not taking the place of men, but give them equal opportunities. That is the essence of gender parity. Women must be responsible, embrace peace and say no to war.”
While presenting a paper titled: “Networking For Change,” the founder of Tin Industrial Services Limited urged the women to step up, but change with boldness and respect, while utilising every opportunity to network, make useful friends and expand their horizon.
Tina Njoku noted that every gathering must be seen as an opportunity to learn, grow and build relationships, especially for women to better their lives, while displaying courage and boldness.
The founder of Tin Industrial Services Limited said: “Confront fear and you will discover that it is not as powerful as you thought. Be women of substance, who will be respectful and humble, but make efforts to ensure change, which will come when you take a step.”
The Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ukel Oyaghiri, who was the special guest of honour at the training, urged women to be bold and courageous, in order to be recognised in the society and given opportunities.
She, however, cautioned women not to be rude or disrespectful, but to be polite, humble, seek knowledge and place emphasis on qualitative education, in order to move forward.
Oyaghiri, a lawyer, called on women to take unprecedented actions in all spheres of life, while stepping up in their quest for gender parity.
Rivers commissioner for women affairs said: “The call is for women to do more and society to value their contributions. If the contributions of women are valued, well remunerated and equal training and opportunities are given to both men and women in the key areas of education, health, economy and politics, the gender gap will be closed, even before 2030, as pegged by the United Nations and the society will be better for all of us.
“Give women the opportunity and they will do well. A woman who is not properly trained with the requisite skills cannot be bold for change. It is when the woman is trained that she can compete favourably to effect the needed change.
“It is on this premise that the training by Total is organised, to give the women the needed knowledge and understanding that will spur them to take bold actions and steps in politics, business and education etc., in order to close the gender gap and gradually ensure the attainment of Vision 2030.”
Oyaghiri also stated that knowledge, training and education were key to continuous living and sustenance, while insisting that knowledge is key to a better life.
Rivers women affairs commissioner lauded Total for organising the workshop, which she described as a step in the right direction, while urging other corporate bodies to emulate the oil giant, especially in the area of women capacity building and equally commended Governor Nyesom Wike for giving priority attention to peace and development of Rivers state.
In his keynote address, Total’s Deputy Managing Director, Francios Le Cocq, disclosed that the annual workshop was to key into the United Nations’ values for women development by providing a veritable platform for capacity building and networking for women in the oil firm’s host communities.
He noted that the theme: “Be Bold For Change,” was indicative of the UN’s action to better the lots of women world over.
Le Cocq said: “To us in TEPNG (Total), we have deliberately decided to align ourselves to the fast track in gender parity. In the past one year, women development activities have been elevated to heights never seen before in the company.
“For those who are keen watchers of TEPNG’s activities, you will notice that women development programmes have received a boost never seen before.
“TEPNG is committed to policies that stand out against gender-based discrimination, marginalisation, violence, human rights abuses and unequal access to education and healthcare. TEPNG promotes equal opportunities in leadership and participation for both genders.”
The deputy managing director also stated that women and men could be leaders within their spheres of influence, by taking bold and pragmatic actions to accelerate gender parity and change.
Le Cocq, whose family members were earlier in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, disclosed that members of his family now prefer and enjoying Port Harcourt.
In order to have a better society, men should always encourage women to grow, excel, make useful contributions and given equal opportunities. Men must never be intimidated by the achievements of women
