The traditional ruler of Ishiagu autonomous community of Ebonyi State, Eze Moses Okafor-Ngele, has commended the women of the community for embarking on the construction of a multi-million naira Women Development Centre (WDC).
The monarch who spoke in an interview, in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, described women as “important agents in community development.’’
He urged the women to use the occasion of the 2017 August mass return to deliberate on issues that would enhance the development of the community and welfare of the women.
The traditional ruler said that the ongoing WDC project would impact positively on the lives of women of the community.
He assured the women of collaboration to complete the project as well as protection of rights of women, especially widows.
“We are commending our women for their commitment to community development and for being indispensable agents for social change.
“We most especially commend the bold initiative taken by the women chapter of Ishiagu Community Development Union, an umbrella body of Ishiagu women for embarking on the construction of multi-million naira ultra modern Women Development Centre.
“The centre will provide training in various skills acquisition for our female youths and women who are without jobs or who want to acquire vocational training.
“We as the custodian of the culture and traditions of our community will always ensure that the rights of every woman in the community is guaranteed, protected and respected.
“We will at all times partner with the women group and other progressive groups in the community for sustainable development,’’ Okafor-Ngele said.
Meanwhile, the President, Federated Ishiagu Community Development Union, Women Wing , Mrs Martha Chukwu, in an interview with NAN said that the 2017 August Women Meeting would kick off on Thursday, Aug 10.
She explained that the women would use the occasion to address issues and challenges affecting the community and the women folk in particular.
She noted that the Women Development Centre embarked upon by the women has reached advanced stage of completion, adding that the centre would provide various types of skills acquisition training when completed.
“The era when women are relegated to the background as house wives are over, because women are known to have excelled virtually in all fields of endeavour.
“The August women gathering affords the women opportunity to assemble and brainstorm on ways to contribute to community development.
“The task of community development cannot be left to the men alone and that is why we come together every year in August to discuss how to contribute our quota in moving our community forward.
“The meeting is a four-day event which will begin with prayers on Thursday, Aug 10 and ends, on Sunday, August 13,” Chukwu said. (NAN)