Celebrating Top Rivers Women Making Waves

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There have been several top flight women in Rivers state who are contributing to the development of the state in many endeavours of life, be it in business, Civil Service, and in Diplomatic services. These women like their male counterparts are in the forefront of state building.

City People Magazine Port Harcourt Bureau Chief, EMEKA AMAEFULA here unveils the list of Rivers Women making waves. READ ON

 

JUSTICE MARY

UKAEGO ODILI

Her rise to the top echelon of her legal profession as a retired Justice of Supreme Court of Nigeria is what sets her on the top in the league of Rivers State women making waves in various fields of endeavours. Retired Justice Mary Odili is the wife of former Governor Peter Odili from 1999 to 2007. Her pet project The Adolescent Project Nigeria popularly known as TAP NIGERIA actually made a lot of women to be self-reliant in going into various entrepreneurial ventures in the state. Her provisions of essential tools in Hairdressing Services, Cookery, Agricultural engagements and other sundry businesses helped in bringing harmony to most homes in the state during her era as First Lady of Rivers State. Today upon retirement from active public service, she is the Chairperson Governing Council of Rivers State University, Nkpolu Orowurokwo, Port Harcourt.

 

NGOZI ODU

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State is a Professor of Biological Sciences. She was an academic before her elevation to the position of Deputy Governor during the 2023 political elections where her political Party Peoples Democratic Party emerged victorious at the polls. She was a former Commissioner in Rivers State and she did a lot in bringing succour to most patients in Rivers State through her professional services that won Rivers State accolades across the globe.

 

IPALIBO HARRY-BANIGO

Coming from the Health sector is Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry-Banigo who’s the former Deputy Governor to Nyesom Ezenwo Wike from 2015 to 2023. Currently, she is an elected member of the 10th Senate representing Rivers West Senatorial District. This intelligent woman before now has been in the Civil Service where she rose to the position of Head of Civil Service, HOS during the administration of Sir Dr. Peter Odili as Executive Governor of Rivers State.

 

VALERIE SIMINALAYI FUBARA

She is the First Lady of Rivers State, married to the Executive Governor of Rivers State. Her activities in attending to the wellbeing of women and children through advocacy and her Non Governmental NGO activities especially in Healthcare is helping a lot of women and the less privileged persons to live better.

 

DAME MAUREEN TAMUNO

Her role in the administration of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area in years past has been most memorable as she did a lot of work in bringing relief to her people as Chairperson of the Local Government Council. Before then she was elected as Member of Rivers State House of Assembly representing Ogu/Bolo consistuencies. Later she was elected into the Federal House of Representatives where she represented Okrika/Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency. She was later appointed Ambassador of Nigeria to Jamaica Republic. Now she lives at FCT Abuja where she is Managing a Financial Business Group.

 

DAME JUDITH AMAECHI

She was the wife of His Excellency Barrister Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the former Governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation. Dame Judith Amaechi during her time as First Lady of Rivers State, did a lot of work in Childhood education enrolment in Rivers State through her Pet project was the establishment of Early Childhood education throughout the 23 Local Government Councils .

TORU OFILI

This elegant and well trained woman of substance, Honourable (Mrs.) Toru Ofili, has been an active politician whose records of service to Rivers State remains very transparent especially, her being appointed as Commissioner for Women Affairs during the administration of Sir Dr Peter Odili. She staged a come back in 2015 as Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Sustainable Development Goals SDGs. Her innovative endeavours in keeping Rivers State Clean through REFCOl Nig. Limited a Refuse Disposal company that introduced a modern approach to waste management. She also brought smiles to her people by introducing decent living to Rivers State through her personal enterprise of Home Furnishing business using BOF Galerie a top notch Home furnishing outfit that brought decent decors and eco-environment friendly furniture provisions to most homes in Rivers State and beyond. She is the daughter of late Honourable Edward Willaim Jumbo the first Indigenous Mayor of Port Harcourt in whme a street was name after Port Harcourt, in the vicinity of  Government House of Rivers State.

 

TONYE BRIGGS-ONIYIDE

The leader of Niger Delta Women Group, a political Pressure group Honourable Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, is well known for her influential leadership in mobilizing Niger Delta Women to attaining higher levels of political awareness, in occupying the required 35 percent affirmative action which is the United Nations Agent for women in the globe as pacesetter for their participation in politics. She was first appointed as Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Tourism during the first and second terms of Nyesom Wike as Executive Governor of Rivers state. Currently she is an elected Chairperson of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. She was married to late Brigadier Oniyide.

 

NICE ALERUCHI ALAMIEYESIEGHA

Her constant love for helping the less privileged persons and those with Physical challenges has been one of the things Chief Mrs Nice Aleruchi Alamieyesiegha has been known for. She is the founder of Nice Esther For All Foundation and other NON Governmental Organizations that she sits on top as founder. Currently she is mobilizing and sponsoring the Girl-Child education empowerment initiatives in the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. She is the Women Leader of Rivers State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, a socio-cultural organization of Igbo tribe in Nigeria. She is a staunch member of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP where she plays major roles in mobilization of Women across Niger Delta.

 

MABEL OKEMINI

In 1991 she introduced reliable indigenous furniture products first by bringing international designed interior home furnishing products. She owns Drummund Interior Furniture outfit in Port Harcourt. This hardworking lady also runs ISBEL MEAT MASTERS Nig. Ltd  her husband Isaac C. Okemini is a well known top management guru of most successful orgamniations in Nigeria. Her Drummund Nig. Ltd engaged in the manufacture and selling of wood and Metal designed furniture products

 

SOTONYE TOBY-FULTON

In the hospitality industry in Rivers State this versatile beautiful lady Sotonye Toby-Fulton, is the founder of TOBY-JUG, an entertainment outfit with First Class services that dominated the high profile relaxation arena in Port Harcourt City. One thing that set Toby-Jug apart from other entertainment outfits is it’s serene high profile environment in which expartrates found well secured with better services. Sotonye Toby-Fulton, later moved into politics where she was appointed Commissioner in Rivers State Civil Service during the administration of Nyesom Wike from 2015 to 2023. Today, she is Publisher of GIST magazine founded in 2004 and still in operation. She is also the founder of Rivers women unite for SIM, RWUS a political women group mobilizing support for the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.   Her Toby-Jug foundation is the fore-front of providing relief materials to the less privileged members of her immediate society and elsewhere. She recently bagged two Chieftaincy titles first from Ondo State and from her Opobo Kingdom. She is  a lady whose contributions to building a virile society is well known.

HILDAH DOKUBO

The face of this popular thespian Dr. Hildah Dokubo is a well known one as she is a Nollywood actress who has made much impact in the entertainment industry in Nigeria. Apart from her intimidating academic profile she is currently playing politics as the Rivers State Chairperson of Labour Party. Hildah Dokubo also aspired to be elected into the Federal House of Representatives under the Labour party platform.

 

ANGEL OKOYEOCHA

In the Beauty industry in Rivers State, Angel Okoyeocha, is the founder of De Chic Beauty Home Ltd, a first class women beauty salon with high profile services. Her over 30 years of experience in running such innovative beauty therapy outfits has brought a lot of happiness to most ladies in South-South Nigeria and beyond. Currently she shuttles between Nigeria and the United states of America where she also maintains a high profile beauty outfit. Recently she celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of De Chic Beauty Home Limited. Her services in providing modern globally trending beauty styles in facial Spa, Hair styles and body massaging services including body Tattoos and body decoration have made De Chic Beauty Home a must visit outfit for high profile ladies in Port Harcourt.

 

IBINABO FIBERESIMA

In the entertainment industry, Ms Ibinabo Fiberesima, is a Nollywood actress with a lot of followers across the globe. This lady born ion 19th January, 1970 by a Nigerian father and an Irish mother was Miss Wonderland in 1990 and First Runner Up in Miss Nigeria in 1991. Her entry into the beauty Pageant business saw her as Miss Earth Pageant franchise owner in Nigeria a visible one. although she has been controversial in her trade with much publicized Medical Doctor’s death saga and other activities associated with her career which also make her popular in the society. She hails from Okrika ethnic nationality in Rivers State. she holds Masters Degree and first earned Bachelors of Arts degree in Dramatic Arts at the University of Ibadan. She is a Movie Producer, Film Director and a multi-millionaire business woman.

 

DAME ALERUCHI COOKEY-GAM

The Rivers State born University of Ife, Ile Ife graduate of Law and former Attorney-General and Commissioner For Justice in Rivers State, has been in the corridors of political power around her home state and Nigeria in general. She was sometime appointed as member of Federal Housing Authority. Before then, she also headed Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority. This celebrity lady is a widow as she was married to Architect Roland Cookey-Gam who died in the ill fated Sossoliso Aircraft at Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa in 2005.

 

BETTY ARMATE

She is a popular Port Harcourt celebrity lady whose contributions to the development of the state is so great. Recently she was appointed as Member Rivers State Local Government Service Commission. Her dress sense is superb with her sharp mental reflixes which have earned her inclusion in most high ranking decision making bodies in Rivers State.

 

RUTH DAVIES IBIAMU

Pretty looking intelligent Chairperson of Rivers state chapter, League of Women Voters in Nigeria, Ruth Davies Ibiamu, runs Ruthies Clothing outfit based at FCT Abuja with Port Harcourt Outreach Facility. This Princess of Oropotoma, Evo ancient Kingdom holds Masters’ degree in Political Science and Administrative studies from the University of Port Harcourt.

 

KAREN MATTEWS

She is a University of Port Harcourt trained graduate of Chemical Engineering. She is Executive Director of VOGUE REGALIA a top Fashion Designing outfit located in Port Harcourt. Ijeoma as she is mostly addressed by her clients is House On The Rock church parishioner whose contributions to helping the downtrodden knows no measures. Her outfit for Port Harcourt is a place where female celebrities who want to wear the latest exclusive fashion designs must patronise.

 

IBIERE MATT

Light complexioned Mrs. Ibiere Matt, runs Lady Whyte Clothing outfit located at Onne Road GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt. This Kalabari born Fashion Designer also takes ornament marketing to a higher level. Her Delta State born husband High Chief Matt Offey plays big in the Oil & Gas industry.

 

DR OBIANMA ONYA

She is a Medical doctor who is the pioneer Director, at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Lifestyle Medicine Centre. She is a Style diva who is always well attired. She is someone who likes to do her things differently. She always come from a Lifestyle Medical perspective.

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