From Osiberoha Osibe
The 2026 Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Anambra State Chapter ended it's International Wonen's Day (IWD) event on a successful note with a major takeaway being the need for improved capacity of women to create favourable opportunities for them to attain and/or occupy leadership positions.
The NAWOJ's IWD held in Awka, the State capital, was themed: "Justice Action for All Women and Girls - Give to Gain - Projecting Anambra Female Achievers' 2.0.".
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of Anambra Female Achievers and Personalities of the Year awards to eminent citizens. for their contributions to polity, society, economy, education and humanity .
Delivering a Keynote address, the first female Professor of Mass Communication in Sub-saharan Region Professor Chinyere Okunna said Nigeria should emulate other crimes where special seats are reserved for women and women's rights seen as human rights and even enunciated in the country's 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), contending that gender dichotomy and equality remains a global challenge.
Okunna while revealing that she's not a feminist, said women should whenever given opportunity should surprise their male counterparts, lamenting that cultural and religious practices have, conspired over time, to worsen inequality between men and women, particularly in the South-East Zone to the point that glaring yawning gaps exists in both appointive and eje tube positions.
The Matriarch of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Matriarch lamented low participation of women in governance, wondering "if no woman is in the senate, who will speak for them."
She further noted that while more women are needed in elective offices, those unable to contest should be considered for appointments to ensure broader inclusion in political space. .
Corroborating, the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Professor Kate Omenugha who dedicated her award to her husband said women should work as much as ten times to be seen as equal to men, stressing she works to excel and be recognised .
Omenugha, the second females Mass Communication Professor decried feminism of negotiation, urging women to know when, and how to talk and negotiate.
Appreciating the award of Personality of the Year conferred on him on Security, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu said both the girl-child and boy-child should be given equal opportunities, cautioning women against dictating to career choices for their children.
Orutugu who said he owes a lot to her grandmother, mother and wife for having impacted great influence on him.appreciated women for being supportive of security initiative of the Nigerian Police and other sister agencies, assuring: "There'll be no more There will no more mass blood shed in Anambra State. Currently, there is no more news about IPOB violence or attacking Anambra State personnel and police stations. Peace has returned," he quipped.
Pouring an encomium on CP Orutugu, on the honour, the Acting Chairperson of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Anambra State Chapter, Mrs Eno Mantu hailed NAWOJ for the recognition of CP, whose 'era she observed saw to reduction of ethnic-based self-rule agitations and violent crimes to the barest minimum in the State.
Excited with her resilience and laurel, the Founder of 9ja Edu Games, Chinedu Obeche; Casmir Ifeanyichukwu, and Mummy Doris and family members described the honour in Aronu as well deserved and as a stepping stone to even greater heights and open doors in her chosen career
In her speech, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr.(Mrs) Chioma Irene Awuzie who bagged the Anambra Female Achiever award as Dynamic Educationist Per Excellence for being a shining example of women in education leadership called for creation of heaven for the girl-child by so she can operate in a heavenly environment, Noting that she has brought her transformational 22 years of teaching experience to bear on OkoPoly as a leading institution in Nigeria's higher education landscape with marked by infrastructural development, academic innovation and sustained industrial harmony, she lamented that women don't support their fellow women, contending that women should be given positions by proof of merit, competence, capacity and healthy competition by by connection.
In his remarks, the Chairman of event and CEO of Seahorse Lubricants, Chief Ebuka Onunkwo who received the Philanthropist of the Year award. called for policies that removes barriers to access to women's education and involvement in decision making organs recognize, place women in decision making organs and reward women for their contributions to nation building
In his acceptance speech, shortly after receiving his award as the Media Personality of the Year, the Chief Press Secretary to Anambra State Governor, Christian Aburime noted that the award is not a trophy for the mantelpiece, but a mandate to continue amplifying the voices of those who are often silenced,” he stated.
Aburime aligned the honour with the core mission of the Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo administration, which he characterized as being deeply rooted in the welfare of the vulnerable and the often “forgotten segments” of society, While reaffirming his commitment to an “open-door policy” for NAWOJ and the broader media,he pledged his continued support for professional journalism that prioritizes developmental issues, particularly those affecting women and children.
Giving insight into the reason for supporting activities of NAWOJ, the Sir Ikem Osanakpo-led Kates Associates Industries Limited, the winner of the NAWOJ's 2026 Brand of the Year award for its dedication in promoting fora for identification of role models for women and girls observed that the firm is aware of the powerful tool of information dissemination, education and enlightenment.
Osanakpo noted that the support was to create a partnership with a target of deepening market reach of its products as a trusted household name, hinting that the firm's affordable, quality and consumer satisfaction products make a statement of its line of products including hygiene solutions, beauty, body/haircare, perfumery and consumables particularly those that are best needed by women and girls.
Contributing, one of the support sponsors of the event and award winning Entrepreneurship Excellence of the Year, Lovebite Foods and Beverages represented by Mbanefo said the industry, apart from supporting others, threw its weight behind NAWOJ because its members are equipped to redress the iills of the society, put the leaders on their toes to deliver on their promises and be held accountable.
Mbanefo hinged the support for activities of NAWOJ due to the fact that, "If you train a woman, you give more opportunities for training otters. Anywhere you have a woman in a position of authority, she excels," describing women as sweet mother.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Ifejika described the celebration as a tribute to women who have broken barriers and excelled in their various fields, stressing that their achievements serve as inspiration and mentorship for younger generations.
She emphasised that empowering women ultimately benefits society as a whole, calling for greater inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making processes.
While highlighting the growing role of women in governance, Ifejika harped on the need for fairness , justice and equity in addition to expanded opportunities for women to strive and thrive. She also commended the Anambra The NAWOJ'S boss lauded the State Government for entrusting women with key positions. .
An Educationist and prominent women's leader, Oge Ekweozor, a lawyer appreciated NAWOJ for using its platform to unite women and organized the IWD as a forum to champion for the cause and interests of women abd girls under good guidance and humility disposition..
Speaking on the sidelines, the Deputy Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in the November 8, 2025 election, Chief Ndubuidi Nwobu hailed the honour bestowed in Mrs Ekweozor who she described as community builder, visionary leader who changes the character of the next generation.
Guiding them towards the path of faith. Nwobu asserted that Mrs Ekweozor has navigated complex professional terrains dominated by male counterparts in education, community and law, bestriding them with grace and unmatched integrity.
In her contribution, the Head of Federal Establishments in Anambra State, Dr. Ogbonna Blessing called on women to stand on their feet, and fight for themselves and their recognition instead of waiting for competitive men "to raise them up.".
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the National Council of Women Society (NCWS), Lady Theresa Nnalue while calling for training of both the girl-child and boy-child to be at pairs, asked women to make out tine to attend political gatherings, asserting that, "if women don't cone out, the slot meant for them is also taken up by the men.".
Receiving her award for the Anambra Female Achiever as Astute Educationist, the Executive Chairman of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr. Vera Nwadinobi was cited as having carried out transformative strides and result -oriented leadership that saw to continued l provision of basic quality education and infrastructure aas well as teacher capacity development, with an outcome on reduction of out -of- school children by 2.9 percent .
Actress Ngozi Ezeonu from Azu Ogbunike was described as a great ambassador of the State by her representative, Felicitas who described her as an ANMCA award winner and pioneer in the modern Nollywood Industry..
Speaking in an emotion-laden voice, soon after receiving her, as Anambra Female Achiever in Humanitarian Services, Mrs Ngozi Helen Eze, who is the Director of Tender love Orphanage dedicated her award to the less privileged children under her care numbering 50 .Mrs Eze tasked members of the public to look around and uplift children in need, stressing "they deserve our support for they can become what they are designed to be".
A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Christian Amogu described her elder sister, Mrs Helen Ngozi Eze as thus: "This recognition is not just an award - it is a powerful testimony to the beautiful life you have chosen to live.: a life of compassion, selflessness and unwavering dedication to the service of humanity."
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Mrs Eucharia Uyanwune said women and girls are very great and important and called for proper upbringing of the boy-child "so you don't get disappointed.".
The Deputy Commissioner of Girls Guide, Dame Selea Kombo in her speech hailed NAWOJ for extending invitation to the guides who noted provide service and lend helping hand and doing something routinely to excel.
According to her, Guides exhibit honesty whenever they are, they most times portray a high level of motivation to the younger leaders they are guiding. As Ambassadors of the founding parents, Lord Robert and Lady Olave Baden Powell. According to her, Girls Guides is an organisation that enables girls and young women to develop their potentials to the fullest. Dame Kombo said women try as much as possible to bring the children to be good citizens and good wives.