Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Mrs. Valerie Fubara, has commended Rivers Women Unite for SIM (RWUS), women prayer team for their commitment, solidarity, and contributions to peace and development across the state.
Mrs. Fubara gave the commendation at a special programme organised by RWUS, held at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, in Port Harcourt.
In her remarks at the event which attracted thousands of women from across the state, the governor's wife noted that women in the state have continued to make tremendous positive impact through their prayers and collective efforts.
She thanked the women particularly the organisers of the event for their steadfast support for her husband, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urging them to remain prayerful as "the prayers of women avail much in every situation."
"Once again, let me use this occasion to thank Rivers' women for their support both in prayers and in solidarity with me and my family. You have been wonderful. I cannot personally reward all that you do, but God in heaven, who sees in secret, will surely reward you openly," she said.
She described the gathering as another milestone in the ongoing effort to shape society for good and to strengthen peace and development in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Mrs. Fubara encouraged women to remain steadfast in prayer, stressing that "God is ever ready to answer," and emphasised the need for unity and continuous collaborative effort to advance society.
She added that any endeavour rooted in faith and trust in God is bound to succeed.
The Rivers First Lady described the theme of the event, "the Woman in an Evolving World", as timely and reflective of the strategies women must adopt to navigate today's rapidly changing global realities.
She noted that despite the complexities of managing homes in the face of economic challenges, women have consistently demonstrated resilience and strength.
"This converge underscores the resilience of our women to succeed, no matter the odds especially with absolute faith in God and determination for greater accomplishments," she said.
"Whether in industry, business, agriculture, public service, or even politics, women have continued to show strong determination to adapt and achieve great feats. Our natural disposition notwithstanding, our focus has always been to reach for the skies. As Rivers women, we have always been pacesetters."
In their goodwill messages, several notable Rivers women expressed optimism about the prospects for sustained peace and development in the state, and reaffirmed their support for the administration of Governor Fubara.
Earlier in her speech, Convener of the prayer team, Mrs. Sotonye Toby-Fulton said the governor's wife is touching lives across Rivers State, through community support, family-strengthening, and sustainable development.
She said Mrs. Fubara's exemplary devotion and empowerment initiatives has continued to inspire women in the state.
Fulton explained that "We have converged here to reaffirm the identity of the Nigerian woman in a fast-changing world, renew the strength of the woman as a pillar in the family, community, state and nation, renew hope in a generation of women navigating the pressures of modern life, and rekindle the spirit of purpose, entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth."
She continued, "Hosting this Converge in Port Harcourt is symbolic. This city represents resilience, strength, diversity, and progress, the very sublime qualities of the Nigerian woman. From here, we declare that Rivers State is not only a land of resources but also a land of women of purpose."