NEWS
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women Hold Maiden Conference in Abia, Urge Cultural Revival, Peace and Women Empowerment
The Women Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Abia State Chapter, has held its maiden conference in Umuahia, with a strong call on women to embrace their roles as ambassadors of peace, custodians of culture, and active partners in societal development.
The conference, themed “The Woman of Peace in a Noisy World,” was held at the JAAC Building, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia, and drew notable stakeholders, women leaders, and dignitaries committed to cultural preservation and community advancement.
In her address, the Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, commended the women for their wisdom, strength, unity, and their vital roles in sustaining peace and stability within families and communities. She praised their commitment to nurturing homes and contributing meaningfully to societal growth through various engagements.
Represented by Mrs. Eucharia Mmeregini, wife of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, the Governor’s wife encouraged women to remain active custodians of Igbo culture by deliberately promoting the use of the Igbo language in homes and daily interactions. She further urged them to champion peace, love, and unity, stressing that these values remain essential for sustainable development and harmonious coexistence.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Mrs. Victoria Onwubiko, former MD/CEO of ABSSAA, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to attend the conference. She commended the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti for her consistent support for women, noting that her initiatives have inspired greater female participation in leadership and politics. She encouraged women to remain united, uphold peace, preserve Igbo cultural values, and contribute actively to societal development.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the State Women Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Women Wing, Abia State Chapter, Dcns. Ijeoma Clara Okere, FNIM, commended Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for what she described as his visionary leadership, people-oriented policies, and remarkable developmental strides across Abia State.
She noted that under Governor Otti’s administration, the state has recorded significant improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, and environmental sanitation, adding that these reforms have restored public confidence and placed Abia on a sustainable development path.
According to her, the governor’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery continues to earn him widespread admiration from Abians both at home and in the diaspora.
Dcns. Okere also praised the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, for her humanitarian interventions, advocacy for women and children, and sustained support for vulnerable groups. She described the First Lady as a compassionate mother whose contributions to healthcare, social welfare, women empowerment, and child development have positively impacted many lives across the state.
She further appreciated the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Sen. John Azuta-Mbata, for his leadership and dedication to Igbo unity and welfare, noting his efforts in strengthening the voice of Ndị Igbo and promoting peace, development, and cultural preservation.
The Ohanaeze Women Leader also commended the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Abia State Chapter, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, for his visionary leadership and commitment to repositioning the organization in the state. She lauded his efforts in creating an enabling environment for the women wing and other structures of the body to thrive.
Speaking on the essence of the conference, Dcns. Okere described Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as more than a socio-cultural organization, emphasizing its role in preserving Igbo language, identity, and values.
She stressed that women remain the primary custodians of culture and the first teachers of children, adding that the future of the Igbo language depends largely on the commitment of mothers and families.
“One of our core responsibilities is to ensure that our language, culture, and identity are preserved for future generations. It is in our hands to ensure that our language never dies,” she stated.
She further explained that Ohanaeze Ndigbo promotes peace, unity, dignity, and cultural pride, while encouraging the use of Igbo language in homes, schools, cultural events, and community gatherings.
Highlighting the mission of the women wing, she said the group remains committed to strengthening unity among women, promoting cultural values, and supporting livelihoods through skills acquisition, agriculture, trade, and education, while also partnering with community leaders to foster peace and development.
She urged women to actively participate in governance and democratic processes, stressing the need for increased female involvement in decision-making at all levels.
Dcns. Okere also encouraged eligible citizens, especially women yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to do so and actively participate in elections.
“Abians, let us join hands together and support leadership that is working for the good of our people and the future of our children.
“As women of substance, let us continue to promote peace, support good governance, and uphold the values that will guarantee a brighter future for our communities and generations yet unborn,” she said.
She also appealed for support from well-meaning individuals, corporate organizations, and government agencies to assist the women wing in acquiring a bus to enhance mobility across the 17 local government areas and 184 wards of Abia State. She noted that this would strengthen outreach programmes, cultural advocacy, and grassroots mobilization.
In her keynote address, Deaconess Chinasa Kalu Iche urged mothers to raise children who will be useful to society, emphasizing the importance of peace in homes and the preservation of the Igbo language.
Also speaking, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Abia State Chapter, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, reiterated that Ohanaeze is a non-political organization committed to preserving Igbo language, culture, and heritage. He stressed that the body serves as a unifying platform for all Ndị Igbo regardless of political or religious differences.
He emphasized that cultural survival is tied to language, urging parents and community leaders to ensure that Igbo is spoken and taught in homes, schools, and public spaces.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the State Women Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State Chapter, Prof. Nkechi Joy Onyekwere, and the Special Assistant to Abia State Governor on Arts, Culture & Creative Economy, Mrs. Matilda Anyamele, among others. They highlighted the importance of preserving Igbo language and encouraged women to strengthen unity and collective responsibility in cultural preservation.
In her vote of thanks, Mrs. Charity Oti commended participants for their patience, cooperation, and active engagement, noting that their contributions were key to the success of the conference.
The event ended with a renewed commitment by members to promote peace, preserve Igbo cultural heritage, empower women, and deepen participation in community and state development for the benefit of future generations.