A group of women in Rivers State on Friday staged a walkout during the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme held in Port Harcourt. The disruption occurred just as Mrs Theresa Ibas, wife of the Sole Administrator of the state, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, was about to address the gathering. Mrs Ibas was present at the event in her capacity as a representative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The protesting women demanded to be addressed either by Senator Tinubu herself or by Mrs Valerie Fubara, wife of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara. Chanting “Bring Back Sim”; and “We want Valerie Fubara”;, the women insisted they did not recognise Mrs Ibas and called for the reinstatement of the suspended governor.
They declared, “We don’t know Ibas. Tinubu is our President, and our governor is Sim Fubara.”;
Despite the protest continuing outside the venue, the programme proceeded indoors, with Mrs Ibas delivering a speech on behalf of Senator Tinubu.
According to the First Lady, the empowerment scheme had already been completed in the North-Central zone, with the Port Harcourt event marking the final leg of the South-South phase. She explained that the initiative forms part of a nationwide programme aimed at reaching 18,500 women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The items distributed at the event included freezers, gas cookers with ovens, grinding machines, and generators—resources the First Lady said were intended to support women in launching and expanding viable businesses, thereby contributing to national economic development.
She added, “This program reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes inclusivity, economic growth, and sustainable development, particularly for women.”;
