By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Awka
The Anglican Women Conference, Diocese of Awka, Province of
the Niger, has appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari’s led federal government
to address the challenges posed by insecurity and unemployment in the country.
The women, who made their position known in a Communique reached
at the 35th Awka Diocesan Women Conference, held at St. Mark's Church,
Aguluzigbo, Anocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, also identified
herdsmen and farmers clash as issues the federal government should address
immediately.
They, however, blamed the high rate of trafficking in human
persons by the youths to the absence of enabling environment in the country, and
advocated for used of vocational training and skill acquisition to empower the
youths.
On the forth-coming gubernatorial elections in Anambra
state, the Conference led by the President, Mothers Union Women's Guild and
Girl's Guild Province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka, Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim,
urged the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) to ensure it was fair,
free and credible.
Ibezim, who is also the wife of the Archbishop
Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop Diocese of Awka Anglican
Communion, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim,
added that “There is a need for government to be more proactive in the security
of lives and farms of Nigerians, as our women and children are the most
vulnerable in security and food concerns. The government can do more to restore
the confidence of farmers this farming season.”
Speaking during the event, wife of the governor of Anambra
State, Chief Dr Ebelechukwu Obiano, represented by the former Chairman of Anambra
State Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Lady Joy Ulasi,
commended Archbishop Ibezim and his wife, Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim, for their
dedicated mission in empowering women in all ramifications; as well as their
uncommon interest in the growth and development of women in her diocese and
province, by engaging them meaningfully in skill acquisition, trade and
education.
In a Church Service presiding the event, Archbishop Ibezim urged
women to pay more attention to the responsibilities of motherhood and child
upbringing. He said the theme of the conference was very captivating and tells
women to look up to God.
