…Inaugurate LOC for Enugu Conference Nov,2024.
By Iheanyi Enwerem
It was beehive of activities in Owerri the Imo State capital,las Friday, as women from the five(5) Eastern states in Nigeria gathered in their colourful attires and numbers for the grand inauguration ceremony of the Local Organizing Committee for Pan Igbo Women Conference, which will hold in November,2024 at Enugu.
The Igbo women group used the special occasion to install the Imo State Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, as the Grand Matron, while a well-known Imo State born Billionaire Philanthropist, Chief Summers Vitus Nwokie, popularly known as Ikukuoma Mbaise was honoured as the Grand Patron of the association, among others.
In her address at the epoch-making event, Deputy Governor of Imo, Chinyere Ekomaru, called on Igbo women to lend their support to Government at all levels for development of Igbo land as well as fight against insecurity,while adding that the much needed business and industrial revolution in Igbo land cannot be achieved without a conductive business atmosphere enabled by the collaborative efforts of all relevant stakeholders.
Dr. Ekomaru who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant Administration Lady Kelechi Nkwazema, thanked the women for taking a bold step in the promotion of Igbo culture and values. While thanking them for honouring her as thit first Matron, as she urged them to work towards cooperating with other relevant Igbo groups to attract more last legacy in the society.
Earlier in his speech the Chairman of the occasion,who was also decorated as the Grand patron of the Pan Igbo Women group, High Chief (Dr) Summers Nwokie, described the event as one that marks a significant mileston in the history of Igbo women and the collective journey towards the empowerment, equity and cultural renaissance.
The Mbaise born Billionaire Philanthropist, hinted, “While we celebrate the achievements of Igbo women, we must also confront the challenges that continue to hinder their progress”.
He maintained that the Pan-Igbo women International conference will provide a critical opportunity to X-ray these challenges and develop strategies for overcoming them, furthermore said that despite significant progress, women in Igbo land continue to face barriers to education, economic opportunities and political participation.
The Local Organizing Committee Chairman, Barr. Chief Mrs. Ijeoma Igboanusi, in her address opined that the conference is set to celebrate the uniqueness of the Igbo woman and their role in peace and unity of the region.
” To truly harness the potential of the Igbo women in fostering peace and unity, we must ensure their voices are heard and their contributions are recognized”. She stated.