by Mitchelle Uzorka
It is All about Women.
As it is in our nature to celebrate the Niger Delta Girl Child, we wish you a Happy International Woman’s Day.
International Women’s Day, is an annual event that celebrates and recognises the achievements of women. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity which highlights the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and developmental needs of women and girls.
To celebrate the event, Eveafrique Community acknowledges these women who are working tirelessly to sustain the growth and development of the Niger Delta and beyond.
1. Amb Maureen Tamuno;
Her Excellency Dame Maureen Tamuno, is Nigeria’s high commissioner to Jamaica, Ambassador to Haiti, Dominican Republic and Belize, Nigeria’s permanent representative to the international seabed authority.
In her bid to serve humanity and as a philanthropist, she founded Lady Maureen Tamuno Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization to care for the widows, orphans and the downtrodden in the society. She also belonged to several Non-Governmental Organizations such as SHEROES Foundation and Joyce Banda “Elect Her in Africa Initiative”.
2. Pst. Mrs Dele Bamgboye;
Pst. Mrs. Dele Bamgboye is a seasoned, multi-talented ordained minister of the gospel. She has an underlying passion for the positive growth of families and relationships. She is also passionate about youth. Her trademark is her practical and down to earth approach to revealing secrets to attaining, maintaining and sustaining successful relationships and marriages. A sought-after marriage and family counsellor, she has been privileged to speak to youth and singles, as well as married couples in a multitude of nations, including her country, Nigeria. A prolific songwriter, *Dele Bamgboye* is a multi award-winning gospel singer with three albums on the market.
Her albums featured hit songs like “Oga Jesus,” “Ran ka ya dade Yesu,” “Jesus you’re my No.1” etc She’s been happily married to her name-sake, Pastor Dele Bamgboye for over 30 years.
She’s Lead Counselor at BEFORE AND BEYOND Online Marriage Counselling Platform ( www.beforeandbeyond.net) Her hobbies include reading, writing and solving puzzles. She serves alongside her husband as a pastor in *Highflyers’ Christian Centre*, Port Harcourt Nigeria and they are blessed with three wonderful children.
3. Ann-Kio Briggs;
Ann-Kio Briggs, is an English-born Nigerian environmentalist and human rights activist. She is the founder and director of the non-governmental organization Agape Birthrights. As of 2011, she was spokesperson of the Ijaw Republican Assembly (IRA) as well as the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS).
Briggs was born on 29 July 1952 in England. She was born to a British mother and an Ijaw marine engineer. During her early years, she was taken to live with her paternal grandmother who raised her alongside her father in Abonnema, Rivers State. While in , she finished her elementary school and enrolled at Holy Rosary Girls School in Port Harcourt for her secondary education. From (1967 to 1970), her academic studies were impeded by the civil war, and after it ended, Briggs moved with her family to England where she studied Marketing.
In 1998, after several years in Europe, she returned to the Niger Delta and established Agape Birthrights, a non-governmental and a non-profit organization, having its headquarters in D-line Rivers State. Briggs, through her organization has helped some developing areas to fight against injustices and marginalisation. She also collaborates internationally with other organizations home and abroad.
4. Ethel Olomu;
Ehel Olomu, is the founder of Engraced Life Foundation, a nonprofit organisation birthed out of Love, Compassion and a near death experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Port-Harcourt. An alumni of the Pan-African University and Lagos Business School.
Ethel Olomu, popularly referred to as the ankara boss is a survivor of stage 4 breast cancer. She is the pioneer of contemporary bead craft and an African ankara RTW fashion retail mogul and the CEO of Beadakraft, owners of the brand name ‘Befab’ and ‘Banga Pot’. As a catalyst for women collaboration and supporting women owned SMEs, in 2017 she introduced the BefabcityFair in Port Harcourt. As at press time, Befabcityfair is arguably the largest multiannual trade event of female entrepreneurs in the South-South.
Ethel is a goal oriented, intergrity leader who lives and leads by example. Through her experiences, she has created a community that empowers women with information, connections and networks. As an advocate for breast cancer, she leads a team of 150 hundred volunteers to impact vulnerable women and girls in an effort to significantly reduce mortality rate of breast cancer in the society.
5. Mrs. Rosemary John-Oduone;
Mrs Rosemary John-Oduone, is the MD/CEO Akenbai-Ere Nigeria Limited. And Aweke-Ere Global Enterprise. She is a compassionate Ijaw woman. Eloquent, Brave, Intelligent, Courageous, Patriotic, Bold And Outspoken.
Rosemary, is a compassionate Ijaw woman who gives her all for service and has structured herself to be known and highly respected as a golden voice in tie Region.
She is a Female Environmental Rights Activist from the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. A seasoned voice advocating for self determination, 💯% resource ownership and control in fairness to the land owners and a rejigged Ijaw struggle to liberate the oppressed and marginalized Coastal Niger Delta people.
Rosemary John-Oduone, is the Founder/President, of the noble Pan Ijaw Women Umbrella Organization. Ijaw women Connect (IWC) Worldwide. A socio-cultural, non-partisan, Pressure organization governing the Ijaw women worldwide.
6. Ose Ben-Willie;
Osepiribo Ben-Willie, is an accomplished banker with over 25 years’ work experience of which she has been leading business transformation initiatives at various levels within the financial service space.
Mrs. Ben-Willie is currently an Executive Director in Heritage Bank Plc. She is a recipient of the 2022 Eveafrique Heart of Gold Award. She is also a jewel of The Kilali Tribe, a goup of phenomenal women thriving and doing well for themselves in their different career path.
Osepiribo’s professional experience and expertise are being modeled by attending several management development training programmes internationally and within the country.
7. Khindu Eke Spiff;
Khindu, is the Chief Executive Officer of Skhindu Cosmetics.
Khindu Eke Spiff is a Skincare Business Coach Formulator Esthetician Entrepreneur Owner, she runs a Skincare Business Academy & is the Founder of Skhindu Apothecary.
She is the lady behind the pretty interior of many homes with her HOUSEBEAUTIFUL outfit, Beautiful House USA.
8. Amb Tina Njoku-Opara;
Amb. Mrs. Tina Njoku-Opara, is the Founder, CEO of Tin group of companies (Sparklyn Hotels & Suites, Sparklyn Wash Services, Mama Tin Foods, Tin Industrial Services Limited).
She is an Entrepreneur, a graduate of Secretarial Admin, Fabric care from Satra Technology UK.
She is humble and unassuming, resilient and dogged. She loves to pay attention to minute details. She is a mother, a grandmother, a role model, mentor and public speaker, in fact an epitome of a virtuous woman, more importantly, a practicing born again Christian.
She has received many awards and accolades for outstanding work in her chosen career, charity works, and significant contribution to the hospitality industry in our society.
9. Kalanne Fubara;
Kalanne Fubara Stella, is the Director of International operations with the Dubai department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing. She is the Principal authority for Planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector.
She is an accomplished leader in business and finance management. Stella has decades of impressive executive management. She is responsible for the operations of Dubai Tourism in Africa, in line with the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the world’s leading Tourism destination and commercial hub.
10. Victoria Nyeche;
Victoria Nyeche, was born into the family of Chief Wobo Nyeche in Oro-ochiri, Elekahia in Port Harcourt City Local Government, Rivers State. Her Educational/Professional Qualification include B.Sc Chemistry, M.Tech Chemical Engineering, M.Sc Environmental And Resource Management, Registered Environmental Specialist. Hon.Nyeche is a former member Rivers State House of Assembly.
11. Gulabie Dorah Harvey-Ideozu;
Gulabie Dorah Harvey-Ideozu, is a Flower Engineer / Caterer Based in London. She is a Nigerian and resident in England.
12. Virginia Major;
Virginia Major, is the CEO Capricas Drug Ltd, she is a Qualified pharmacist with hands on experience with retail and wholesale Pharmacy.
She is the CEO of Virgin Creeks ltd, which major on Communications, PR, consultancy
13. Amiediki Emmanuel Georgewill;
Amiediki Emmanuel Georgewill, is the Creative Director of Kolor kraft, a female luxury boutique located in the City of Portharcourt. She is into styling and interior decor, she collects art as well and also has a hospitality business.
14. Izobe Spiff;
Izobe Spiff, is a young Event Management consultant, a lawyer, and a Chartered mediator and conciliator who is the founder of the fastest-growing event consultancy and initiator of the biggest showcase and exhibition for businesses in the south-south.
Izobe who is named as South-South’s Excellent Business Personality of the Year by (SSPA) 2016 and one of Africa’s Top 50 Event Planners 2016 by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce is on the fast rise to reshaping the event industry in the south-south of Nigeria.
15. Philomena Ononujo Samuel;
Philomena Ononujo, is an Administrative Manager at Benek Engineering Coy Ltd.
Philomena Ononujo has over 20 years work experience in the Oil and Gas sector. She has been involved in different activities and projects as community relations in shell petroleum Development Company Nigeria Ltd.
16. Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi;
Dame Alice, is a one-time Commissioner for Education in Rivers State.
In her regime accolades were showered on the Rivers State Ministry of Education for setting the pace in the provision of quality education in the country.
Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi bagged the Award of Millennium Development Goals Icon.
She was honoured for her unprecedented achievements in Nigeria Millennium Development Goals, especially with the goal connected to Education, Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Environment in Nigeria.
17. Boma Ozobia;
Boma Ozobia OON, is a founding Partner of Sterling Partnership, Nigeria. she was the chairperson, Association of Women Solicitors England and Wales (2005/2006).
She was also former President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (2011-2013), the first woman President in the history of the association. chair, NBA Section on Legal Practice Professional Development Committee. She was also on the Board of Trustees of the Royal Commonwealth Society and was awarded the national honour of an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in September 2014.
18. Christie Gbaraba;
Christie Gbaraba, is the CEO of Brant technology and a Hotelier.
She owns and Runs a Hotel in Portharcourt called Royal Vantage Hotels.
19. Hilda Dokubo;
Hilda Dokubo is a Nigerian award-winning film actress, activist and youth advocate who served as special adviser on youth affairs to Peter Odili, a former governor of Rivers State.
In June 2020, Dokubo joined other protesters in a street march in Lagos against rape and other violent crimes against women. In October 2020, she was part of the End SARS protests in Port-Harcourt against police brutality alongside Kate Henshaw. In March 2020, Dokubo launched an online protest against the appointment of Senator Ishaku Elisha Dabo of Adamawa North Senatorial District as a patron of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. In August 27th 2022 She joined in Portharcourt’s 2 Million Match for the Presidential Candidate of Labour party, Peter Obi.
She contested for the position of House of Representatives under Labour Party.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.
Happy International Woman’s Day!!
