At the 11th edition of the Journalists Hangout titled “From Parley to Party”, organized by the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Amb. Engr. Miracle Arimobi, Special Assistant to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Female Youth Development and Convener of the “Power of Her” initiative, discussed her work and plans for empowering young women in the state.
Arimobi revealed that upon her appointment, she introduced a five-year policy document known as the Power of Her, which focuses on empowering the girl child in Delta State. “The policy is five years because I believe even after this first tenure of His Excellency, we will still have one year to showcase what we have accomplished in the four years,” she said.
She explained that the initiative aims to encourage more women to step into leadership roles, not limited to politics but extending to other areas where leadership is crucial. “Many women fail in leadership positions because they don’t have the proper equipment to hold such roles. This is where we come in,” she added.
Arimobi emphasized that her goal is to collaborate with mentors, both within and outside the state, to help women understand the need for more female involvement in leadership. “We need more women in government, politics, and leadership, and we’re working to ensure that through collaboration,” she stated.
In line with the state’s MORE agenda, Arimobi also introduced a slogan, Sheriff Dey With Her, to underline the governor’s commitment to women’s inclusion in governance. She highlighted that Governor Oborevwori supports women, evidenced by the appointment of over 500 women in his administration as Special Assistants (SAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs). “The Delta State government is actively involved in supporting women’s inclusion in governance and politics,” she said.
Looking ahead, Arimobi shared details about an upcoming program on October 18, 2024, at Unity Hall in Government House. Over 988 people applied for the event, but only 350 were selected based on qualifications rather than political affiliations. The event will feature female vice chairmen from all the local government areas, wives of local government chairmen, female commissioners, and other female leaders across Delta State, aiming to foster partnerships and collaboration among women leaders.
Arimobi further explained that her work involves overcoming stereotypes and breaking barriers for young women, encouraging them to work hard and take leadership roles without relying on political connections or favouritism. “Our young people need to understand that they need to work hard and put in the effort to get involved,” she said, sharing her personal experience as an example.
In her pursuit of partnerships, she mentioned her collaborations with organizations like Motivating Africa Initiatives and the United Nations Office in Abuja. She has also engaged with female Student Union Government (SUG) vice presidents across the state to amplify the Power of Her initiative.
On his part, Comrade Churchill Oyovwe, Chairman of the NUJ Delta State Council, explained the purpose of the Journalists Hangout, which serves as an opportunity for stakeholders in both the private and public sectors to engage with journalists in a relaxed setting. He clarified that the platform focuses on development and projecting the positive achievements of individuals in various sectors, rather than probing them with tough questions.
The platform is designed to foster an open and comfortable environment where stakeholders can share their achievements and ideas without fear of being attacked or misrepresented by the media.
