South East Women August meeting : Imo first lady unites Igbos`, champions a new course
Maiden edition of South East women August Meeting organized by Imo State First Lady Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, has to a large extent united Igbo women as many disregarded party affiliations and converged with one heart to champion a new course for people of the zone.
The meeting convened by Nneoma Okorocha took place at the Imo International Convention, Owerri, with the theme `Next Generation of Mothers, we cannot afford to fail`.
Without mincing words Imo First Lady made it clear that the essence of the meeting was not for any political or business interest, but a gathering passionately and selflessly designed for next generation of mothers with a zeal to purely protect cultural values and norms of Igbo ethnic group.
She stressed the need for unity of purpose among Igbo women , particularly the mothers, in the interest of the Igbo race, stating that what binds the people of South East Zone together as one ethnic tribe are more stronger than what separates them.
Nneoma Okorocha said `lt is pertinent to look at the things that concern us, this is a wake-up call that we have agreed to pay particular attention on things that will move us forward, at the end of the day we shall get it right, we carefully pick the topic, `truly we cannot afford to fail`.
Imo First lady said ` we had women of substance who graced this occasion, we deliberated on thought-provoking issues and we are burdened on the way forward for our people. In no distant time I know God will see us through, what Igbo mothers do not nurture dies. God has given us a duty to cultivate and co-create. I have a dream for next generation of Igbo mothers, what we are doing now is not ordinary, God knows it from the foundation of the world now we have risen let us change things for good we have gathered to show commitment for the way forward’,
According to her the senators , ministers, governors and presidents were all products of mothers who carried them for nine months and nurture them, but in the end some are responsible citizens while some became criminals, kidnappers, cultists and militants.
She urged mothers to take responsibility, pointing out that a mother whose son became relevant in the society is as a result of hard work, while the one whose son is irresponsible is as a result of failure of motherhood and negligence of duty.
Imo State Governor who was excited at the bold steps taken by Igbo women and their commitment to move the zone forward, said `now you have taken the first step and in a unique direction they world will hear our people. God is not through with us as a people. Ojukwu fought a war but let us thing outside the box, I am looking forward on that day we shall seat on the table of brotherhood and sing a song of unity as brothers and sisters`
The chairman of the occasion former Governor of Enugu State, Chief Jim Nwobodo eulogized Imo State First Lady for her initiative to gather Igbo women to brain storm on issues of concern that would move the zone forward.
A prominent Igbo leader and a national political figure in the country Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who was overwhelmed by the unity of purpose displayed by Igbo women, described Imo State first lady as a pathfinder , stating that the South East Women August Meeting is a historical event.
Iwuanyanwu also condemned actions of some Igbo political office holders who blackmail their brothers and urge them to emulate from the northern governors who will never tried to dent the image of their follow northern brothers.
In her contribution Chief Mrs Josephine Anini called on the Igbo ethnic group to move forward with one voice to enable them take their proper place, while Senator Nkechi Nworgu from Abia State was of the view that women need to refocus so as to be able to provide the next generation of leaders. She said `lets join this train of unity and open the password despite political differences we need to harmonize and do things that will make us the number one not minding we are only five states, women should sensitize their children about voters registration to avoid ignoring us as people without numerical values`
Speaking at the event The wife of Nigeria`s first Military Head of State, Chief Mrs Victoria Ironsi, viewed the deliberations made at meeting as apt and timely with the ability to set the pace for people of the zone , she explained that issues raised in the meet are issues that do not deserve a second cross-examination but immediate action for implementation.
Others who spoke at the event were first ladies of Abia State Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, her Enugu State counterpart Mrs Monica, former Honourable Minister of education Mrs Chinwe Obaji, Chidinma Uwajimogu, former female ambassadors, senators and other public office holders past and present made meaningful presentations on the Way forward in line with the theme of the program. The event witnessed large turnout of prominent Igbo women too numerous to mention.
