By Uzo Ugwunze
The Community Women Leader, Akwuukwu Improvement Union(AIU), Women Wing (Inyom Akwuukwu), Mrs Juliana Obi (Chibundo Umuagbala) has encouraged women all over the country to be strong as home builders as they continue to hope for better days ahead.
Speaking during the 2024 Home and Abroad interdenominational general Women's Meeting at the PHC center hall, Akwuukwu, Idemili South LGA, Anambra State, Mrs Obi who was about concluding her second tenure in office appealed to mothers never to relent in their roles as helpmeet for their husbands who are the head of families.
"The responsibilities of mothers are enormous. I encourage mothers to be strong as they go about their duties as home makers. It will be well and I pray for long life and good health for Akwuukwu women.
Moreso,the President General Akwuukwu Improvement Union (AIU) Chief Udoka Ejiakor tasked women to go back to farming as a means of livelihood or as a alternative source of income as a panacea to the recent hunger and economic crunch prevalent in the country.
Chief Ejiakor reminded them that Akwuukwu community was known for farming which include cultivation and raffia palm tapping.
"God has blessed Akwuukwu with arable land that is good for farming. Our ancestors were known for farming and wine tapping. We should go back to cultivation of economic crops both for feeding and for economic purposes. These days of high cost of food items anything you put on the ground and harvest is counted as profit wether eaten or sold".
Ejiakor further advised the women to avoid being promiscuous due to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country saying that the major source of the incurable killer disease include when people refuse to stick to one partner but have multiple sex partners.
He also urged them to keep praying for the emergence of a new monarch in Akwuukwu community which has been without a traditional ruler for over three decades saying that he was determined to ensure that his manifesto before assuming office were accomplished.
"We need your prayers for peace and unity in this land against enemies of progress. When I assumed office 31st December 2023 I promised Akwuukwu we shall hold the publications last Offala for our first Igwe Thomas Offorkaja (Ijikala 1 of Akwuukwu) which I have done.
"Secondly, I promised that Akwuukwu will have their own traditional ruler like other communities because it is a town. I saw what hindered us from conducting the funeral of our late Igwe for decades and the same thing is hindering us from having a new Igwe but we are going to overcome all of them.
"Thirdly,we, including our women must make out time and go back to farming because we have good soil. What the people need is empowerment, they will do well in agriculture," said Ejiakor.
Highlights of the women's annual general meeting include cultural cum traditional displays and dance steps popularly called "Itumpete" in vernacular, health talks, traditional fashion parade and dressing.