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By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
It was joy as Enugu Women Association in Lagos recently celebrated August Meeting.
Every year, women from the eastern part of Nigeria and in the Diaspora travel to their various states to meet with their fellow women for the annual August Meeting.
But this year, some of these women decided to hold the event in Lagos as a result of insecurity in the South East.
The programme was graced by top Igbo captains of industry and other respected professionals. Some dignitaries in attendance included Prof. Nkeiruka Ifekwem, past president of Anamabra State Women Association, Lagos (ASWAL), deputy chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Hon. Ashara Maureen Chika, Chief (Mrs) Rita Okoye, president, Anambra State Women Association in Lagos; representative of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Maureen Okoye; High Chief Leo Okeke, among others.
Activities marking the events included cooking competition which was organised for the women by Mamador. There three women that participated were Mrs. Jennifer; who cooked jollof rice, Mrs. Ibe Akunna and Mrs. Jane Nwafor who prepared different dishes.
At the end, Nwafor came first in the competition carting away three mamamdor products, while Jennifer went home with one cooking product and two for Akunna.
The company also empowered two women of the association with N100, 000 each. The beneficiaries are Mrs. Elem Grace; and Mrs. Blessing Uzorigwu.
A choreographed dance was also performed by the children, who entertained the guests with their dancing skills.
Donations were made for the skill acquisition centre which will be built in Lagos State for Enugu Women.
The chairman of the occasion, Chief Augustine Okeyson, commended the women for their outing and promised them that he was behind them and would support what they are doing, even in the skill acquisition centre that is about to be built.
Speaking at the event, the president of the Enugu Women in Lagos Chief (Mrs) Chinyere Eze, described the August Meeting as a remarkable one in the sense that it was the first of such that was held in Lagos.
According to her, it was a gathering to resolve matters that concern them, including issues that might have lingered and could not be resolved internally.
“August Meeting is divided into three parts, one is held at the local level, churches and in villages.
“Because of the insecurity in the East, we decided to hold the programme here in Lagos. So, instead of everyone travelling to the village we simply gather here and achieve the same purpose.
“A skill acquisition centre will be built to empower Igbo women here in Lagos, where they can go and learn one or two things in order to make a living for themselves.
“The essence of the skill acquisition is for them not to be idol at home when their husbands are not around. And to assists them to alleviate the financial burden of their husbands through what they have learnt.
“At the end of the programme, each woman will be given a soft loan to operate with,” she said.
Prof. Ifekwem, who was the guest speaker admonished the women about the ‘new woman’ who is in a man’s world to succeed.
She called on them to strive to fulfil the purpose of God in their lives, adding that every woman has a unique potential that God deposited in them.
“We have home where women are participating financially and some where they are not contributing anything.
“If you want to succeed in the new world, you must be spiritually empowered. Spend time in talking with God. I believe in gender equity for the woman to be allowed to do what God has called her to do,” she said
She also advised the women not to be disrespectful to their husbands even as they engage in trades and skills to earn a living.
She said: “For a woman to succeed in a man’s world, she must wear smartness, confidence and boldness. Not by engaging in gossips, quarrels and other unfruitful activities.”
