August meeting: Abia first lady excited over Olokoro women

The joy of the wife of the Abia State Governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu, on Saturday, knew no bounds as she rated the structure of the 34th Olokoro Women Association (OWA) Women Federated August Conference as the best in the state.

The Abia First Lady, who was represented on the occasion held at Olokoro Central School by the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Women Affairs, Nnenna Chikezie, later appreciated the women with a handsome cash gift.

According to Mrs. Ikpeazu, she flagged off the August women conferences in the three senatorial zones to drive down the message to the grassroots that every woman should have a source of income to help the family and support the development of her community as the state government cannot do it alone.

While thanking the menfolk for being supportive of the women, the Abia First Lady described the 34th Olokoro Women Association (OWA) Women Federated August Conference and how it was structured as worthy of emulation in the state.

Speaking later with The Abia Times, she stated the obvious need for women to be empowered, pointing out that Olokoro women has done what the government wanted.
Earlier in his opening address, the chairman of the occasion that was hosted by the Owerri branch of the association, High Chief David Obioma Anyaogu, described the 2017 Olokoro Women August conference as “the best thing that has happened to Olokoro”, pointing out later in an interview that the conference brought to the community, empowerment, cooperative societies, education of the rural women and their project of 18-seater bus for them as well as a 4-classroom block for Olokoro Girls Secondary School.

The conference, the Manager, Uvuoma Microfinance Bank, Olokoro, Emmanuel Ajuzie, said was with full support of their husbands and their sons who have maintained cordial relationships with them, disclosing that his bank was at the occasion as part of the conference to set up a N1 million revolving fund with a single digit interest rate to assist women graduates from their skill acquisition training.

In her address earlier, the Chairperson, Olokoro Women Association (OWA), Lady Angela Ifeanacho, Ph.D., said the theme of the conference was “Women in Community Development”, because off the passion they have for the land, stating that their vision is human development through education and skill acquisition.

In view of this, we shall embark on projects that will help our children have education, both formal and non-formal, acquire skills and be empowered, hence the decision to erect the 4-classroom block for their children relying on the slogan ‘Together We can”, she said.
She thanked the Abia first lady for all she has been doing in the state through her Vicar Hope Foundation pet project.

In her own speech on the topic, “The role of women in community development”, the chairperson of the host branch, Olokoro Women Association (OWA) Owerri branch, Lolo Ugochi Nwoko, said development comes in various shapes and forms: infrastructural development, human development and economic development, describing women as the specie rising up to the occasion “to play our role as mothers (makers of the home, ever resourceful).

OWA, she said “will continue to provide the right leadership in this community to give our dear husbands and children the necessary assistance in community development.

Speaking with newsmen during the occasion, the chairman, Umuahia South council of traditional rulers and the Towe 1 of Umutowe Olokoro Autonomous Community, HRM Eze G. C. Onwuka, appreciated Olokoro women over their developmental strides in the community, pointing out that the initiative of the Abia first lady has reached the grassroot in the state.

According to his wife, Ugoeze Ifeyinwa Onwuka, the occasion presents a special event that brings all Olokoro women, home and abroad home to interact with each other as well as address some developmental issues in the community.

While describing the occasion as not fetish, she enjoined women absent from the occasion to participate and thanked Mrs. Ikpeazu over her initiative to ginger women into action.

Speaking after the occasion which saw awards on women of note, an awardee and Vice-Chairlady, OWA Owerri branch, Mrs. Chinatu Elizabeth Okpechi, said Olokoro women are determined to assist their husbands in the development of the community, stating that OWA Owerri branch was determined to make the difference.

According to the co-proprietor of St. Patrick’s Model School, Umuahia, Mrs. Joy Ugochi Okwuonu, the award will encourage her to do more for the community, stating that she was rewarded for her contributions to the community.

She urged the women to keep up the conference which she said was the best ever since the conference started in the community.