Katherine Abayomi
The Rivers State Government says it remains committed to creating an enabling environment where women can thrive in medicine, governance, business, and across all sectors.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the Medical Women’s Association Week 2025 at the Nigerian Medical Association House in Port Harcourt .
Prof. Odu said the Governor Siminalayi Fubara-led Administration will continue to support initiatives that strengthen capacity, promote mentorship, and ensure that no woman is left behind in the pursuit of excellence. She stressed that, as women in medicine, they stand at the intersection of science and service.
The Deputy Governor noted that the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has, over the years, remained a shining example of professional excellence, compassion, and commitment to national development.
“Let me commend the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Branch, for your continuous advocacy, mentorship programmes, and community outreach. You are not only saving lives; you are shaping the future of healthcare in our dear state and nation,” the Deputy Governor further stated.
According to Prof. Odu, the theme, “Empowering Women in Medicine and Building Capacity for Impact,” is very timely in a world that is constantly evolving. She emphasized that empowerment is not just about giving women opportunities but equipping them with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to lead, innovate, and inspire others.
In her keynote address, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, noted that although women represent 67–70% of the health workforce, this representation is concentrated in low-status, informal, and low-paid peer groups, with underrepresentation in leadership positions.
According to her, the World Health Organization estimates that the essential healthcare services women provide for around 5 billion people globally have a financial value exceeding 3 trillion US dollars annually.
Also speaking, the President of MWAN, Rivers State Branch, Dr. Cecilia Leloonu Nwibubasa, said that during the MWAN Week, the association aims to harness the unique skills and passions that female medics bring to improve the health of the populationj they serve. She added that they do this selflessly, passionately, and intentionally, integrating their mission into every aspect of their work.
