Nigeria’s top public sector turnaround expert and immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside yesterday had a virtual discussion with the two amazing Rivers daughters who made double First Class Honors at the University and Law School respectively, Mrs. Blessing Ohaka (nee Owhonda) and Ms. Yira Festus. There have been commendations coming their way, with several people calling on the Rivers State government to officially recognize them for their academic prowess. In a virtual session with the duo, Dr. Peterside commended and referred to them as the “Amazons of Rivers State,” just as he drew a direct correlation between their efforts to his when he held sway at NIMASA where, through determination, focus and pursuit of excellence he also blazed the odds to turnaround the agency for greater national productivity. Both ladies share similar attributes as secrets of their successes to be determination, focus and commitment, just as they disclosed their dreams of pursuing further education. Incidentally too, both drew inspirations and got encouragement from their mothers in their quest for excellence to further underline the strong role mothers and women generally have to play in encouraging the girl-child in the attainment of educational goals. Peterside pledged to donate brand new state-of-the-art laptops to each of them, with updated learning resources to help achieve their hopes and aspirations. He called on good spirited individuals and groups to also support the young women who have made the state proud.
