Women’s August Meeting: Obuohia Obi-Ibere Hails Otti, Celebrates Community Development Milestones, Unveil Rehabilitated Hall

The Women’s Wing of the Obuohia Obi-Ibere Development Union, ODU, Umuahia Branch, has commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his administration’s interventions in healthcare, education, roads, rural electrification and other community development projects across the state.

The commendation came during the union’s 32nd Annual August Meeting and Conference held at Obuohia Obi-Ibere in Ikwuano Local Government Area, where the women also unveiled their rehabilitated hall.

The annual meeting, held under the theme, “Silent Strength, Rising Hope—Women Raising the Next Generation of Community Builders with Courage in a Troubled World,” also featured the transition from the outgoing leadership to a new administration of the women’s wing.

Speaking at the event, the outgone National President of the ODU Women’s Wing, Pastor Dame Princess Chinyere Sam Onuigbo, reflected on her 21 years of service in the women’s leadership, including 11 years as National Coordinator and 10 years as National President.

She said the women’s wing had recorded significant achievements through collective efforts, support from members in the diaspora and collaboration with community stakeholders.

Among the projects highlighted were the rehabilitation and functionalisation of the community health centre, rural electrification through transformers and solar systems, road construction, erosion control, renovation of school facilities, educational support, and the establishment of a skills acquisition centre at the women’s hall.

She particularly appreciated Governor Alex Otti for what she described as his administration’s remarkable interventions in the community and called for continued attention to ongoing development needs.

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The outgoing president called on members to extend the same cooperation and support to the incoming leadership, stressing that community development transcends political affiliations and requires collective commitment.

Representing Governor Alex Otti at the occasion, the Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Sir Anthony Nwaubani, described the governor as a people-oriented and project-driven leader.

Nwaubani said Governor Otti appreciated the women’s contributions to community development and recognised the August Meeting as an important platform through which women had continued to initiate and support development projects.

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He commended the women for their support for government programmes, particularly in education, healthcare and empowerment, noting that the state government was committed to ensuring that children of school age remain in school.

The Ikwuano mayor also urged the women to maintain unity, stressing that collective action remained essential to sustaining development in the community.

In a separate interview, Governor Otti called on women in other communities to emulate the Obuohia Obi-Ibere women by transforming their annual August meetings into opportunities for executing meaningful development projects, as he commended Dame Princess Onuigbo for her contributions to the community and for her leadership of the women’s wing.

Also speaking, former federal lawmaker for Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency, and husband of the outgone women’s president, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, commended the women for what he described as outstanding achievements over the years.

Onuigbo who is the President of GLOBE Legislators International, traced the history of the women’s leadership to 2005, noting that the current outgoing president had served for 21 years—11 years as National Coordinator and 10 years as National President.

He credited the women with playing a significant role in restoring peace during periods of crisis in the community and acknowledged their contributions to the construction and rehabilitation of community infrastructure.

Onuigbo specifically thanked Governor Otti for remembering Obuohia Obi-Ibere and sending a representative to the August Meeting, describing the governor’s interventions in the state as commendable.

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He urged the women to continue working together, supporting community development and guiding younger generations towards responsible citizenship.

Also speaking, the National President of Obuohia Obi-Ibere Development Union, Men’s Wing, Chiedozi Atumah Uzuegbu, represented by the National Vice President, Mr. Ikechi Sigismund Mpamah, congratulated the women on the successful celebration.

He highlighted some achievements of the men’s wing, including efforts towards strengthening security, infrastructure development, electricity, investment in education, financial reforms, environmental cleanliness and promotion of unity within the community.

The event brought together community leaders, elders, women, youths, delegates and other stakeholders, featured the presentation of awards, cultural displays, a march-past, games, news casting and the distribution of food items to women, among other activities.

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