Fides Media Living the Faith
By Abuchi Onwumelu
The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Anambra State branch, recently during the celebration of its 60 years of existence in Nigeria, installed the wife of Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano, as the Council’s Mother Par Excellence.
According to the State President of NCWS, Lady Oby Obodozie, they chose the governor’s wife because of her philanthropic nature and humanitarian services through her pet project, CAFE Initiative.
The action-packed event which took place at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka, witnessed the presentation of awards to ladies of the Council and installation of Life Members on Council’s members who had attained 60yrs of age.
Some of the awardees included, Lady Prisca Umeh (Wife of Sen. Victor Umeh); Ocheze Lolo Chinwe Emeka; Prof. Mrs. Uche Azikiwe, MFR; and Hon. Rebecca Udorji.
In her address of welcome, the state President of NCWS, Lady Oby Obodozie, said the NCWS was the umbrella body of all women non-governmental organizations in Nigeria, noting that NCWS was the only women NGO in Nigeria affiliated to the International Council for Women (ICW), New York.
She recalled the body was founded in 1958 with the late Lady Ademola as the first national president, saying that the council president at different times moved gradually to all the states of the federation and geo-political zones, even as she said the council was not partisan; non-ethnic, non-religious and for all women, irrespective of status and education background.
Obodozie said the main objective of the council was to mobilize women, promote the economic, political and social welfare and progress of women, children, youth, and family.
She announced that at the national level, the wife of the President was the Grand Patron, while at the state level the wife of the governor was the Patron, saying that the council was in the 36 States of the federation and 774 local governments areas, including FCT.
‘Amongst our major achievements is the creation of the Ministry of Women. Today, we mark our 60 years of existence with the theme: ”Positioning Women for Impactful Leadership and Nation Building”.
This theme is apt as it is a sine qua non for the political situation in the country. The women will synergise with all to achieve this,’ she said.
Speaking on their challenges, Obodozie said at 60, NCWS, in the state was saddled with a lot of challenges ranging from absence of a befitting office in the state, funds to enable them to procure a land to build a befitting state headquarters like other states of the federation, financial support to purchase buses for advocacy programmes and sponsorship for their programmes.
The guest speaker, Mrs. Chizor Malize, Managing Partner/CEO, Brandzone LLC, spoke on theme of the event and charged the womenfolk to be alive to their responsibility and also to support one another politically and otherwise.