Afikpo NCWO hosts national confab, honours members
The National Catholic Women Organisation (NCWO), Saint Thomas Catholic Church, Unwana, Afikpo, Abakaliki Diocese, Ebonyi State, last week joined other Catholic women in Nigeria for this year’s national convention.
The four-day event began with a solemn opening Mass led by Rev. Fr. Dr. Christopher Inya Ekuma, the parish priest. The theme for this year’s event, “The Role of Women in Eliminating Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence,” was highlighted through lectures delivered by Rev. Fr. Ekuma and Rev. Fr. Kingsley Aja Ude, the priest in charge of Stella Maris Catholic Chaplaincy, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana.
The convention also featured health talks on women’s wellbeing by Mrs. Nnenna Emeka Kalu and Lady Chinyere Otuu Okoro, Secretary, St. Thomas NCWO. Other activities included the annual general meeting, zonal and branch competitions, cake cutting, auction sales and variety shows. Mrs. Rosemary Nkama, parish CWO President coordinated the events.
Mrs. Agha Immaculata Odu, NCWO President, St. Thomas, commended Rev. Fr. Basil Chidozie Okoye, former parish priest, for his dedication to the parish’s development over the past two decades. She also congratulated Rev. Fr. Ekuma, on his 20th priesthood anniversary.
The celebration reached its peak with a final Mass and the conferment of awards to individuals, both Catholic and non-Catholic, who had made significant contributions to the growth of the parish and the community. The awardees included Njoku Onyenonachi Onyekachi Gertrude a former The Sun reporter, who received the title Adadioranma, Prof. Adanma Nnekwu and Sir Batholomew Okoro.
Rev. Fr. Ekuma urged the awardees to uphold the values of their titles, encouraging them to deepen their devotion to God, nurture their families and reflect on their roles as custodians of the honors bestowed upon them.