By Covenant Oluchi Ikedinobi
The Anglican Women Conference, Diocese of Awka, Province of the Niger, has called on President Mohammadu Buhari- led Federal government to tackle spate of insecurity and unemployment in Nigeria.
The task was contained in a Communiqué at the 35th Awka Diocesan Women Conference, held at St. Mark’s Church, Aguluzigbo, Anocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, with the theme: “The Name of the Lord is a Great Tower.”
The women urged President Mohammadu Buhari to make security a priority in his administration; especially by addressing the attacks by herdsmen on farmers and their farms.
The Awka Diocesan Anglican Women said further that there is a need for government to be more proactive in the security of lives and farms of Nigerians, as women and children are the most vulnerable in security and food concerns.
While it blamed the high rate of trafficking in human persons by the youths to the absence of enabling environment in the country, the Conference also called on the Federal Government to tackle rising unemployment of youths and encourage vocational training and skill acquisition to empower the youths.
The women affirmed support on the recent declaration of the Executive Governors of 17 (Seventeen) Southern States on open grazing of livestock in their respective states, stating that it will curb the problems of food insecurity and farmers/ Herdsmen clash.
Speaking on the forth-coming gubernatorial elections in Anambra state, the Conference led by the President, Mothers Union Women’s Guild and Girl’s Guild Province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka as well as the wife of the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop Diocese of Awka Anglican Communion, Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim urges INEC to make it fair, free and credible and enjoined politicians to eschew bitterness and all forms of electoral malpractice.
The Awka Diocesan Women’s Conference also urged the electoral umpire, INEC, not be Compromised.
In her Presidential address, the President, Mother’s Union, Women’s Guild and Girl’s Guild, Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion and Province of the Niger, Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim, who is also wife of the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop Diocese of Awka, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, said herdsmen attacks on farmers across the nation create rooms for worries, security and food concerns.
She said: “There is a need for government to be more proactive in the security of lives and farms of Nigerians, as our women and children are the most vulnerable in security and food concerns. The government can do more to restore the confidence of farmers this farming season.
“Nigeria has gone down badly in the security of lives and property. Blood is wasted every day in the North, South, East and West. We call on our president and the political leadership to prioritize security, and restore the hopes of mothers and children in the country.
“Without adequate security of lives and property in Nigeria, no meaningful development can take place. Business thrives in a secure environment. Academic works in higher institutions and even in the middle and lower schools take place effectively when the environment is secure,” she said; adding that sound education does not take place where kidnapping, cultism and all manner of vices occur.
Speaking during the event, wife of the governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr Ebelechukwu Obiano, commended Archbishop Ibezim and his wife, Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim, for their dedicated mission in empowering women in all ramifications; as well as their uncommon interest in the growth and development of women in her diocese and province, by engaging them meaningfully in skill acquisition, trade and education.
Represented by the former chairman, Post Primary Schools Service Commission, Anambra State, Lady Joy Ulasi, the Anambra first lady charged the women to step up their prayer lives, as, according to her, the society is facing turmoil, and its only a dedicated woman, deeply rooted in prayers that can overcome all.
The state’s Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, praised Archbishop Ibezim remaining dedicated to issues concerning women.
While also commending the Archbishop’s wife, Chioma, for her steadfastness in championing the course of women, Mezue noted that the yearly ADWOC conference has assisted in repositioning the women, and exposing them to the best way to lead good Christian lives.
Earlier in his sermon during a Church Service to kick-start the conference, Archbishop Ibezim encouraged women to pay more attention to the responsibilities of motherhood and child upbringing. He said the theme of the conference was very captivating and tells women to look up to God.
According to him, only the righteous and those whose foundation are based on salvation given by Jesus would see God; adding that women should go back to re-examine their lives, and to train their wards in the virtues of Christian faith.
The chairman, 2021 Diocesan Women Conference, Prof Lady Christy Okoye, encouraged mothers to empower their girl-children with education, morals and other spheres of life, so that they would not go stray; even as she told the women to make their female wards their close friends, and to monitor their movements.
The ceremony featured launching of the Christian Family Magazine, presentation of profile mother, Ezinne Hannah Adogu, who is 99 years, cutting of conference cake, special renditions, among other things.
