Bayelsa Deputy Governor Calls on Women to Drive Social Change

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Peter Akpe, has urged more women across Nigeria to join the movement for a better society through social change.

Akpe made this call on Wednesday when members of the Diri/Akpe Women Support Group from Bayelsa West Senatorial District visited him at Government House in Yenagoa.

The deputy governor recognized the vital role women play in building the nation. He said their active participation in changing behaviors at family, community, state, and national levels is key to tackling insecurity, crime, and other issues Nigeria faces.

He emphasized the need for citizens to reorient their values and stick to standards in both private and public lives to ensure sustainable growth in society.

He stated, “As women and mothers, we appreciate the role you play in society. You birth today for tomorrow. And so, we all need to be agents of social engineering. Let’s be intentional about issues such as high expectations and entitlement mentality, which is a big problem.

“Today, we hardly talk about contentment, which is a great value. Societies that are guided by values have standardised expectations, and I think that is why they are making more progress.

“So, as mothers, I really want you to take yourselves to those foundations and talk about them so that people will be content with what they have and work hard, following standards and acceptable norms.”

The deputy governor, who was with his wife, Favour Akpe, thanked the women for the visit. He described the formation of the support group as thoughtful and meaningful.

He advised them not to focus solely on political gains but to view the group as a strong platform for building relationships and developing skills.

While warning against making rash political decisions, Akpe pointed out that politicians who act impulsively often make themselves irrelevant.

He also encouraged the women to be patient and support their leaders as loyal party members while working towards the group’s goals.

He said, “If you want to have a long-lasting team, then don’t build it totally on political grounds and high expectations. That will not take us far. But build it on the foundation of relationships.

“Support one another because not everybody will lead at the same time. Today, some of you are sitting at the far back. But tomorrow you may be the one sitting in front. As you have started, expand your coast not just in politics but also in relationships.

“For me, politics is just one part of our lives. But when you relate well with people, politics and political decisions become easy. You should be patient because those who take irrational decisions in politics usually run out of their breakthrough.”

Speaking for the group, its leader, Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, promised support for the deputy governor and the Assured Prosperity administration of Governor Douye Diri.

Ndiomu-Brown, who is also the representative for Sagbama Constituency III in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, assured that the support group would work with others to secure a big win for the All Progressives Congress in future elections.

Among those who visited were the Chairman of the Ekeremor Rural Development Authority, Mrs Deme Pamosoo; her counterpart from Tarakiri Rural Development Authority, Mrs Ann Enebimoere Asamkpere; the Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Teachers Training, Registration, and Certification Board, Dr Stella Ugolo; former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Martha Jenakumo; and former Commissioner for Education, Mrs Sylvia Brigidi.