By Ikechukwu Ozurumba
A group under the aegis of Pan Igbo Women International Conference has honoured Chief Emeka Diwe, High Chief B. Mandy Ndukauba, and other distinguished individuals for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the Igbo community.
The conference, held at Rockview Hotel last week in Owerri, Imo State, brought together women leaders from across the Igbo-speaking states to celebrate and recognize individuals who have made significant impacts in promoting peace, unity, and empowerment in the region.
In his address the Chairman of the occasion
High Chief Dr. Summers VC Nwokie praised the Pan Igbo Women for its peace initiatives and the grand inauguration ceremony of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to be held at Enugu in November 2024.
High Chief Nwokie commended the group for its dedication to empowering women and fostering peace in the region, adding that women are the bedrock of any family, which according to him play important role in the child’s upbringing.
Moreso, High Chief Nwokie emphasized the importance of women’s roles in building peace and unity, saying, “Women are the pillars of our communities, and their contributions to peacebuilding cannot be overstated.”
Earlier in her address, Hon. Barr. Mrs Ijeoma Igboanusi, the LOC Chairman, expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying, “We are humbled by the support and encouragement. We will continue to work tirelessly for the betterment of our people and the region.”
She noted that Pan Igbo Women International Conference has become a beacon of hope for a more harmonious and prosperous future, inspiring others to join forces in building a more peaceful society.
In his speech, Chief Emeka Diwe, the President General of Igbo Town Unions, who also was honoured by the women group as Patron, commended the Women for their peace moves across all Igbo-speaking regions. He also praised them for the promotion of Aku Ruo Olu programme, a traditional Igbo initiative that fosters peace and unity.
He noted that the conference’s Aku Ruo Olu programme, which translates to “Be Peaceful”, aligns with the traditional Igbo values of peace and harmony, pointing out that the programme is a testament to the conference’s commitment to the cultural heritage and its role in promoting peace.
Also speaking, High Chief Ndukauba, the Akajiugo 1. Dim Nwawelugo n’Ihioma Ancient Kingdom, who was represented by his wife Lolo Mrs Nnenna Cynthia Ndukauba, and was also enrolled as a member of the group, praised the group for their efforts to empower women and foster peace in the region, adding that the group has shown remarkable dedication to the cause of peace and unity in Igbo land, she asserted.
She noted that the LOC’s inauguration marked a significant milestone in the conference’s mission to build a more harmonious and prosperous Igbo society, positing that the committee will play a vital role in spreading the message of peace and unity across the region.
Highlight of the event was the presence of the Deputy Governor Nnedinma Ekomaru who was represented by the SA Administration Dr Chinyere and some women across the Igbo speaking area, Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Rivers, Delta, who gathered in their numbers for the grand inauguration of LOC members and also to chat a way forward in promoting unity, peace, Igbo language amongst other welfare for the region.
