The Mothers’ Summit in Anambra State, held on August 2, 2019 at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, was a gathering of crème a la crème of Anambra women from various walks of life that were supported by friends and well-wishers.
It is usually meant as a platform for Ndi Nne Anambra to deliberate and celebrate excellence and chart the course for the annual August Meeting in the communities. It sets the agenda for the year ahead.
The theme of the Summit: ‘Promoting Gender Balance and Social Values’, was aptly chosen to direct the attention of Anambra women to issues on the front burner nationally and across the globe as they affect adequate participation of women in the growth scheme of society.
The 2019 Mothers’ Summit was unique and impressive due to the novelty of the Anambra Women Achievers’ Awards initiated by the Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme), to recognize women of exceptional achievements in various fields of human endeavours.
In response to Osodieme’ clarion call and bridge building awards, many of the women achievers and daughters of Anambra turned out en mass to be part of the epoch making event. They defied the torrential rains, which threatened, but could not dampen the pomp and ceremony on display.
Osodieme’s award list recognized women achievers who were adjudged to have demonstrated commitment and excellence in leadership, business management and entrepreneurship, philanthropy, sports, visual and creative arts, politics and propagation of religion and culture.
Twenty–seven deserving recipients who met the criteria were awarded in six categories which include; seven awardees as Woman of Excellence; three as Epitome of Leadership; three as Business Ambassadors; two as Sports Amazons; two as Beacon of Hope, and nine women as Beacon of Faith respectively. The ebullient, gender-friendly, hardworking Governor Willie Obiano’s presence added verve and panache to the ceremony.
In his speech, Gov Obiano stated the reason for being very supportive of his wife’s noble initiative. In his words:“I am always overjoyed whenever we gather to celebrate our mothers. My one reason for that is because in celebrating our mothers, we celebrate the rebirth of the society’’.
Akpokuedike continued: ‘‘My other reason is that when we celebrate our mothers, we give the future generation a chance at greatness. I say this because I believe that mothers are the repository of the values of a people and the moral conscience of the society. There is no act of gratitude to our mothers that can be considered too much for them”.
On her part, Osodieme, explained that Anambra Women Achievers’ Awards is set out to recognize and honour select Anambra women of exceptional and excellent achievements without regard to age, partisanship or religious inclination. According to her, “the list is not exhaustive but we chose to start rather than dither. Many of you are equally award winners and will be duly recognized in due course”.
Among recipients of the awards as Women of Excellence are the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Hon Justice Ijem Onwuamaegbu; Wife of former President of Nigeria, Prof Emeritus Uche Azikiwe; former Governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba; Princess (Mrs.) Stella A. Odife, and Professor of Physics, Prof. Francisca Nneka Okeke. Wives of a former Governor of the State, Njideka Ezife and Grace Ezife were also recognized.
The Epitome of Leadership award was received by a former PDP woman Leader and Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih; former Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Ebele Okeke, and former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Ifeoma Anigbogu.
Other awardees as Business Ambassadors include: MD/CEO of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Okoli; Chairman Fymak Marine and Oil Services (Nig.) Ltd, Dr. Ify Maduka Nwakwesi, and Dr. (Mrs.) Uju Uchendu Ozoka. The Olympian Ambassadors, Chief Mary Onyali MFR and Mrs Eucharia Njideka Iyiazi were awarded Sports Amazons.
Awardees as Beacon of Faith include: Wife of the Archbishop of Niger Province, Mrs. Eugenia Okpala; Wife of the Archbishop of Enugu Province, Dr. (Mrs.) Joyce Chukwuma; Wife of the Archbishop-elect, Niger Province, Mrs. Martha Ibezim; Wife of the Bishop on the Niger, Dr. (Mrs.) Elsie Nwokolo and Wife of the Bishop of Anglican Diocese Afikpo, Mrs. Blessing Udogu.
Others are Directors of Catholic Women Organization, Onitsha Archdiocese, Mrs. Ngozi Nwanosike, Mrs. Theresa Azodo for Awka Diocese, Lady Virginia Mojekwu from Nnewi Catholic Diocese; and Rev. Dr. (Mrs.) Blessing Eberechukwu of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Anambra. Mrs. Nneka Onyechi and Mrs. Ngozi Hope Mbachu were recognized as Beacons of Hope.
With this innovation of Anambra Women Achievers Awards, Osodieme has ignited the passion for service and excellence among women and daughters of Anambra who are displaying unforgettable acts of courage and bravery in outstanding leadership in all sectors.
There is no doubt that the inspirational moments at the award event brought home the message of service and excellence, especially among the girl-child who aspire to be that future Anambra woman of distinction.
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