President General Achina women, Mrs Anthonia Nkechi Ekwebele left and other dignitaries while presenting the prototype of the project as Chairman on the occasion, Chief Modestus Umenzekwe with microphone speaks.
LAWRENCE CHUKWUDIKE NWIMO writes that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige has charged women not to abandon their traditional roles of upholding and inculcating the family values of discipline and good morals on their children for a better society.
He lamented that the family values and morals have declined to the lowest ebb in the society hence women needed to live above board to re-energize that before the society becomes worse for it.
Senator Ngige spoke during Achina Women’s’ Day 2019 tagged ‘celebrating Achina women, our pride , and our strength at Amaiyi field Achina organized by Achina Town Union (Women wing), Aguata local government area, Anambra state. He said women should return to their families as family is number one.
Ngige who was represented by Dr Mrs Ebere Obiakor charged women not to allow Igbo language and culture go extinct as predicted 20 years ago, by speaking and encouraging speaking of Igbo language during cultural and traditional events like the women’s day in Achina, as it would go a long way to enrich the knowledge base of their children on issues concerning their culture and tradition.
In her speech, the wife of Anambra state Governor, Chief Dr Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, commended Achina women for making positive impacts to the development of Achina and reassured them she would support their cold room project to be functional, since a land has been donated for its establishment by the community. Obiano’ wife was represented by the Commissioner of Social Welfare, Children & Women Affairs. Anambra, Lady Ndidi Mezue.
In his opening remarks, chairman on the occasion, Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, Onwa Achina appreciated the traditional ruler of Achina, HRH Igwe Godwin Nnaemeka Obiora, the Eze Idegwu 111 of Achina, and the President General Achina Town Union, Bar Chito Ezeani for creating the enabling environment for Achina women led by Mrs Anthonia Ekwebele to achieve their dreams of contributing to the development and growth of Achina community.
Chief Umenzekwe noted that Achina women have been very useful in the administration of the community even before the time of Lolo Uduozo Rebecca Umenzekwe, nee Ezeafu, Imenwe Achina , his grandmother who introduced cleansing strategy against diabolical and devilish people in the community, and to the era of organized women Town Union in the time of Mrs Janet Enemuo who established the ATU women wing 13 years ago, even as he reminded that some difficult issues in the community were referred to women for resolution.
He expressed happiness that the era the influence of women in the society was ignored is over as the importance of women has been recognized and restored. He thanked the League of Achina Women Professionals (Law-P) for refurbishing and maintaining the Achina Health center with a doctor on call, and appealed for donations in support of the women’s projects.
In her address, the President General, Achina Town Union, (Women wing), Mrs Anthonia Nkechi Ekwebele reminded that Achina women remained the backbone of Achina’s continued existence, progress and development, adding that Achina women are known for their authentic values and principles.
Mrs Ekwebele appealed for financial support for the Achina women to actualize their dream of establishing their cold room project to ameliorate the pains their people go through to locate cold rooms outside their community. She said they needed generators, processing machines, vans, solar installations, technical knowhow, manpower among others. She equally appealed for support for the community’s Oil processing plant project. She thanked the wife of Anambra state Governor, Chief Mrs Dr Ebelechukwu Obiano and commissioner Ministry of Social Welfare, Children & Women Affairs. Anambra, Lady Ndidi Mezue among others for their tremendous support to Achina women.
The Achina women President General gave reasons for the award to include appreciation of the awardees for their selfless contributions to the society.
She said Obiano’s wife award was in recognition of her nonpartisan in attending to the needs of the society especially women and children with her NGO, CAFE initiative among others.
For Senator Ngige, she informed that what he did on infrastructure particularly Umuchu road and gully erosion was unprecedented.
She said Mrs Ndidi Mezue’s award was for her humanitarian disposition without discrimination to the old and young.
On her community members, she said they were honoured for lifting Achina people both women and men and they have impacted on Achina, adding that the traditional ruler, Igwe G.N Obiora is accommodating and a bundle of wisdom.
Speaking about , Chief Modestus Okechukwu Umenzekwe, Onwa Achina who was the chairman of the occasion, Lady Ekwebelem said Onwa is a bundle of community service, knowledge, wisdom and an institution as far as Achina and Igbo tradition and culture is concerned.
She said her cousin sister ,the guest speaker Dr Shiela Ezeuko was amazing for her entire contributions in Achina and everywhere she has been uplifting women and children.
She thanked the branches of Achina women for their support for the success of the outing and thanked as well the Women affairs ministry staff and ASATU women Anambra State led by Lady Franca Nwigbo for the solidarity.
The guest speaker and Company Secretary/Group Head Legal Services, Royal Exchange Plc, Barr. Dr. Sheila I. Ezeuko restated the importance of girl child in the society, adding that Achina women are heroines anywhere they found themselves, hence they are resilience at all situations, progressive minded and development oriented. She concluded that Achina women remained the best in the world and a set to be proud of by their family and community.
The traditional ruler of Achina, Igwe G.N Obiora, President General Achina Town Union, Sir Chito Ezeani, a lawyer, and Chairperson, Achina Women’s day celebration, Lady Barr. Chekwube Violet Ezekwike in their different remarks prayed for support to the Achina women project for early completion of the projects to benefit the people. Igwe Obiora said since the community allocated land for the Oil mill and Col room project, needless to waste further time to put it into usage.
Permanent Secretary Emeritus, Mrs Gloria Nkiru Okeke and Hon A.C Peters, Esq who were among those honoured by Achina Women expressed gratitude that their little contributions were recognized, even as they expressed commitment and dedication to the progress and development of Achina.
Mrs Njideka Okafor, Deputy state woman leader witnessed the event which had several sons and daughters of Achina as well as friends of Achina honoured for their contributions to community development.
