BY UCHE CHUKWU OSIBE, ONITSHA. Labour Party (LP) Senatorial candidate for Anambra Central District, Venerable Tochukwuu Sagacious Ikezue and the House of Representatives candidate for Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Dr. Mrs Mary Ifeoma Obi-Okoye have drawn massive support from women in the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion The entrance of Venerable Ikezue and Dr. Mrs Obi-Okoye into the arena electrified the atmosphere as participants at the 40th Awka Women 's Conference (ADWOC) and 3rd Diocesan Mothers Union Conference saw their aspiration as their own, both coming from the Anglican Communion. The thunderous ovation of support was garnered at the historic event marking 150th Anniversary of Mothers' Union since its foundation in 1876 by Rev. Mary Summer, wife of Rev. George Summer, a devout English clergy. The theme of the event is: Pressing Towards the Mark for the Prize of High Calling of God in Christ Jesus" - Phil. 3:14. Welcoming the LP candidates, the Archbishop of the Province on the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev.Dr. Alexander Ibezim observed that the presence of LP's flag bearers at the event was a big boost to the celebration of Mothers' Union. Archbishop Ibezim blessed the duo, praying God to guide them in their political journey as they crisis-cross the length and breath of their various constituencies to garner support to secure their mandate. He recalled that Venerable Ikezue recently paid him a courtesy visit to announce his official recognition as the Senatorial candidate of LP, adding that he had on the occasion blessed him on his ambition. The Bishop of Awka Diocese described Venerable Ikezue as a clergy-turned politician and a highly respected servant of God who wants to prove the biblical saying, "when the righteous is in power, the people rejoice." He equally blessed the political sojourn of Dr. Mrs Obi-Okoye who he observed has tremendously contributed to the growth of Anglican Communion in general, as Mother of Influence in Awka Diocese, Faithful Mother, and President-general of both St. Mary's Anglican Church and St. Michael's Anglican Church respectively. Also, speaking, the wife of the Archbishop and President of Women's Ministry including the Mother's Union, Dr. Mrs Martha Chioma Ibezim wished both Venerable Ikezue and Dr. Mrs . Obi-Okoye have the energy to weather the political storm, stressing that "their faces are everywhere and the hype they're enjoying on social media platforms indicate their seriousness, popularity and acceptability. Dr. Mrs Ibezim said: God will lead you, You've the power and energy to pull through continue to work hard because I know, hard work pays. God that gave you the tickets will see you through " On the 150th years of Mothers Union which is highpoint of ADWOC themed, "Press Towards the bark for the Prize of the Po rice of the Most High God in Christ" - Phil. 3:14 the Bishop's wife recalled that the Women's Ministry from 2011 to 2026 has had cumulative impact on increased membership participation, stronger Christian homes, enhanced evangelis activities, improved welfare support systems, entrepreneurship, leadership development, better health care and empowerment of women/youths.. Dr. Mrs Ibezim who is also the President of Wonen's Guild, Wives' Fellowship and Girls' Guil noted that the Young Wives Initiative aimed at helping to replace ging population and ensure continuity to sustain church life , prepare future mothers and promote Christian values among young families and encourage mentorship of older and younger women. In her remarks, a prominent Mothers Union Worker in Awka Diocese, Lady Felicia Nebolisa pointed out that the various programmes of the Women's Ministry help in Christian marriages, family responsibilities, child upbringing/parenting, moral cum spiritual formation and conflicts resolution, peace building and economic growth. Lady Nebolisa noted the last 150 years of Women's Ministry in the Diocese has demonstrated that "when women unite in faith, prayer and service, they become powerful instruments of transformation in the church,, family and society.". Addressing the participants at the Mothers Union's anniversary, the Senatorial candidate of LP, Venerable Ikezue appreciated both Archbishop Ibezim and his wife, Dr. Mrs Ibezim for being able shepherds of the flock but only in the Diocese but also in the Archdiocese, while lauding the Diocese's N100,000 cash grant to identified Indigents. He stressed that the commitment of Archbishop Ibezim and wife has brought about family stability, visible women's Ministry, evangelism, discipleship and community development within the confines of Anglican Communions . Ikezue noted that their visit was a solidarity support to encourage the women to emulate the footsteps of Mary Summer who, he hinted, was touched by the challenges faced by women in raising children within Christian values provided encouragement, guidance and follow-ups for mothers. He further traced the humble beginning of Mothers Union, stressing that Woben in the Anglican Communion has a lot to celebrate in the 150 years' sojourn especially in the areas of commitment to Godly family life, stable Christian homes, social transformation, women's spiritual growth, women empowerment/capacity building, mentorship, nurturing children and promoting peace, justice, strengthening fellowship and team work, In addition, he reiterated that the Women Conference.affords a great opportunity for women to come together and take a position on issues affecting them, promising that, if elected, the challenges of high unemployment rate, mass poverty, economic hardship, decline in moral values, unstable family, escalating marriage conflicts, moral decadence, misuse of social media platforms and poor access to quality healthcare would be a thing of the last. In her contribution, the House of Representatives candidate for Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency on the platform of LP expressed delight for participating in the Women's Conference,, describing it as a great day in the life of women in Awka Diocese. Obi-Okoye who is the Coordinator of Ladies Knight of the Diocese on the Niger pointed out that the event would afford women necessary opportunity to deliberate on issues affecting them. She said: "This is where I fall in, because if I'm elected as the next House of Representatives member for Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, the women in Awka Diocese will rejoice, because when a woman is in power, the nation progresses." She observed that women have the numerical strength to enthrone more women in power, decrying the pull-her-down syndrome of aspiring political women by their fellow women. Obi-Okoye who was bestowed with the titles of Faithful Mother and Mother in Israel in the Anglican Communion akso called on fellow women to stand up and take what belongs to them, as according to her, "a woman can also do what a man can. She lamented that "the attainment of six percent from 2.5 percent of population of women in power is a far cry from the 35 percent benchmark in the Affirmative Action reached in the Beijing Conference. According to her, the best time for women to rise up,, support their own , enthrone fellow women and maximize their numerical strength is now when a woman of repute is unprecedentedly a national party chairman in Nigeria in the person of Senator Nenadi Usman of LP..