From Tony John, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said he will support courageous women in politics and advised them to struggle for power, rather than expect men would bequeath power to them on a platter of gold.
This was even as former First Lady, Patience Jonathan said Wike has worked hard to empower Rivers women. Also, the governor’s wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette, described her husband as a women-friendly governor who is implementing policies and programmes to uplift women.
They spoke during the Women’s Day of the Rivers Golden Jubilee Celebration at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Governor Wike said nobody is stopping women from excelling in the political arena, and pointed out that women must work for their political emancipation.
“When it comes to power, you have to struggle for it. If you are prepared for politics, you must equip yourself,” he added.
The governor urged women not to beg for positions but that “they should set up structures that would help them get political mileage.”
Wike, however, assured Rivers women that he will continue to work for their development in all spheres of life.
The governor announced that his administration will construct a Women Development Centre, with facilities to empower women.
On her part, Patience Jonathan, said Rivers women will remain grateful to Wike for giving them political and professional leverage.
She said the governor’s choice of a female deputy governor and the appointment of the first female Chief Judge and President of the Customary Court of Appeal ensured that Rivers women took their pride of place in politics.
Justice Suzzette, said the day was set aside to honour women for their contributions to the creation and growth of the state and said efforts to empower women must be strengthened, adding that “women have attained positions of responsibility never envisaged before.”
Also, wife of the first president of Nigeria, Prof. Uche  Nnamdi Azikiwe, sued for the domestication of all laws and policies in favour of women in the country.