The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women Wing, Worldwide, The Authority Newspapers and My Child My Care Foundation will on May 25th 2017 at Golden Royale Hotel Enugu celebrate the impact of the pet projects of the five South-East Governors wives.
The event is an appreciation to the first ladies for embarking on activities targeted at assisting the poorest of poor and other deprived people in the villages across South-East.
The event would also be used to celebrate the achievements of the first ladies in South-East zone after weeks of peer review on their pet projects across the various council areas in the five states.
In a statement jointly signed by Sir Emeka Ejide, CEO, My Child My Care, Chief Mrs (Hon) Calista Adimmachukwu, Woman Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Women’s Wing and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Editor, South-East, The AUTHORITY Newspapers, the event would be attended by the five south East Governors wives.
“Chief Bar Goddy Uwazurike , President Emeritus of Aka Ikenga is the Chairman on the occasion while Prof Maduike Ezeibe of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia state leads an interaction on Igbo Cause through Science and Technology: Expectations of the First Ladies. HRH Eze Umahi , Uburu community retired from Shell; Vice Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council Ebonyi state and Chairman Enugu state Traditional Rulers Council are royal fathers of the day.
The First Ladies to be honoured include: Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu (Abia); Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Anambra); Deaconess Rachael Umahi (Ebonyi); Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Nneoma Nkechi Rochas-Okorocha (Imo).
“Constitutionally there are no roles for the wives of our Governors elected with constitutional roles but some of them have proved that behind every successful man is a real woman. They started pet projects in support of their husbands and indeed have done nobles through that.
“But, many achievements of the office of these First Ladies pet projects are under reported or not even known sequel to the attitude and ego trip of some officials expected to handle the public. They hoard information from the media and prevent genuine efforts to showcase such activities but a new Sheriff is in town to assist mobilize awareness and appreciation for these efforts of our Governors wives in support of their husbands starting from the South East.
“Despite the challenges of confirming field reports from the some of the offices of the First ladies during the Peer Review, our first ladies activities and interventions must be appreciated and recognized for the impacts in our communities with an award by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Women’s Wing, My Child, My Care Foundation and The Authority Newspapers.
“During the field work and assessment much were observed and much said about these pet projects and we realized that many activities and interventions of First Ladies are grossly unknown and unreported, major reason the partners desire to tell the world the many activities of the wives of the governors in the five states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.
“The Abia State First Lady, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, got the attention of the partnering bodies because of her pet project, “Vicar Hope Foundation”, which has been of immense benefit to homeless widows and helpless men who are today beneficiaries of two-bedroom bungalows at zero cost; and for raising a voice against cancer.
“Vicar Hope Foundation has offered its services in efforts to stem new infections as more and more children reach adolescence and sexual maturity. It also extends its services in providing succor in different ailments such as Sickle Cell, HIV/AIDS, Hypertension, Cancer and Diabetes. Vicar Hope Foundation runs a special scholarship programme designed to put gifted but indigent children through school.
“It also initiated what is called SilverCloud which is designed to give attention to the physically and mentally challenged. VHF and its founder have facilitated the distribution of delivery packs and food supplements to expectant mothers as well as new mothers.
“A state wide child de-worming exercise was held in schools across the state. It also provides housing provision scheme for indigent persons. VHF with the assistance of public spirited Abians has put in place a mechanism for the delivery of modern 3-bedroom bungalows to these widows.
“The First Lady of Anambra State, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, has also used her pet project, “Caring Family Enhancement Initiative” (CAFÉ), to complement the efforts of her husband, Chief Willie Obiano, in the governance of Anambra State.
“Her pet project was an articulated response to the outcry of the forgotten members of the society. Caring family enhancement initiative (CAFE) is a non-governmental organization which is non ethnic, non religious and non partisan. Its resolve is the provision of humanitarian and charitable services for Ndi Anambra.