The leader of Rivers Women Unite for Tinubu, Chief Ashley Igbara, has unveiled a six-month skills acquisition programme aimed at empowering 6,000 women drawn from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Chief Igbara said the initiative is designed to equip women with practical skills that will promote financial independence, strengthen family support systems, and encourage self-reliance.
According to her, the empowerment programme is being implemented in partnership with the City Boy Movement, the Renewed Hope Initiative, the University of Port Harcourt, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria.
She explained that participation in the programme is tied to civic responsibility, noting that all beneficiaries are required to possess Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a condition she described as part of efforts to align empowerment with political participation.
Chief Igbara further revealed that beneficiaries will receive professional certification from the University of Port Harcourt upon completion of the training, while support will also be provided for business registration, including Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documentation, free of charge through SMEDAN.
She added that beyond training, the initiative will provide accommodation and uniforms for participants, with expectations that the programme will expand to reach the targeted 6,000 women.
Also speaking, the Abua/Odual Local Government leader of the group, Umore Victoria Mugbolo, described the programme as a major platform for women’s transformation, stressing that empowering women through skills development would enhance financial stability and promote broader societal growth.
She called on women across Rivers State, both indigenous and non-indigenous, to take advantage of the opportunity, saying the initiative is aimed at building stronger women, stronger families and a stronger society.
In her remarks, Dr. Patience Nwangulu from Ahoada West commended the programme as a timely intervention for women who lack sustainable means of livelihood.
She noted that training in areas such as shoemaking, hairdressing and catering would create income opportunities for beneficiaries and improve household welfare.
She said the initiative would not only provide women with practical means of survival but also help many become productive contributors to the economy.
