Lauretta Onochie Tasks Stakeholders Over Gender Discrimination

Lauretta Onochie, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Governing Board Chairman, has called on all stakeholders to ensure equitable treatment for all, irrespective of gender.

Adding her voice to the worldwide campaign, Onochie said: “We must all learn to treat our girls the same way we treat our boys.”

She spoke at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt during a courtesy visit by the female champions of the Commission’s football tournament.

Expressing her delight at receiving the female champions in March when the world focuses attention on women’s matters, she urged all stakeholders to work together to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5..

“Achieving gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

“Some of the key targets and indicators of SDG 5 include ending all forms of discrimination, violence and harmful practices against women and girls; ensuring women’s full participation and leadership in all levels of decision-making; providing universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights; promoting women’s economic empowerment; and enhancing women’s role in peacebuilding and humanitarian action,” Onochie asserted.

In December 2022, Senate confirmed Onochie and 12 other nominees as chairperson and members of the board of the NDDC respectively.

Those confirmed, apart from Ms Onochie are Dimga Erugba (Abia), Emem Wills (Akwa Ibom), Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa), Oruk Duke (Cross River), Gbenga Edema (Ondo) and Elekwachi Dinkpa (Rivers).

Others are Mohammed Abubakar (Nasarawa), Sule-Iko Sani (Kebbi), Tahir Mamman (Adamawa), Samuel Ogbuku (Bayelsa) MD for a term of two years, Charles Airhiavbere (Edo) Director of Finance and Charles Ogunmola (Ondo) Director of Projects.