Abakaliki, Nigeria – Gov Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi on Saturday, said the state had paid counterpart funding of N450 million for the Nigerian Women’s Projects in the state.
Nwifuru announced this on Saturday, during official inauguration of the 2024 Ebonyi Women August Meeting, whose theme was “a wise woman builds her home”.
August Meeting, made popular and held yearly by women in the South East, involves attendance by women from the zone, both at home and diaspora
The governor said that the project, a World Bank-Assisted Programme, is aimed at enhancing all aspects of womanhood.
He said that the programme would cut across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state and would empower women in the grassroots through farming, skills acquisition and other areas that would boost their self reliance.
He further applauded Ebonyi Women for choosing “a Wise Woman Builds Her Home” as the 2024 theme of the Women conference in the state.
The governor noted that the theme was timely and would remind women of their pride of place in God’s agenda for the family and nation.
He praised his wife, Mary-Maudline, for the role she plays in building and nurturing families and communities in the state.
In her speech, Mrs Nwifuru urged women to reflect the purpose of the gathering in their individual homes.
She appreciated the women who attended the conference for the contributions made so far.
She further called on them to deepen their commitment, responsibilities and roles to better the society and return all lost values.
“The August Meeting is an important event that reminds us to do more, develop the state and our nation.
“Our theme today should serve as both an encouragement and a challenge for each participant to embrace our roles as nurtures,” Nwifuru said.
Mrs Eunice Egwu, Chairman of the Occasion, commended the women for their large turnout at the event and encouraged them to build homes and societies.
Egwu, wife of a former Governor of the state, commended Gov. Nwifuru for his support and commitment to empower women.
Mrs Felicia Nwankpuma, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, explained that the governor had signed a memorandum of understanding with the world Bank for development assistance programme in the state, called Nigerian women project.
Nwankpuma urged women to be resilient and remain hopeful that the administration will commit to enhancing all aspects of womanhood.
The meeting featured lectures on ending drug abuse, maintaining proper hygiene, practice and how to implement them in their homes.
At the meeting, fertilizers were distributed to women farmers, while 195 persons received ICT equipment, barbing kits, and sewing machines.
Mrs Nwifuru later donated 25kg bags of rice to the needy, in addition to some healthcare and education facilities, and organized free medical outreach, already ongoing in the state.
