By Uzo Ugwunze
The Mayor of Idemili South, Hon. Mrs Amaka Obi, Iyom Ifeabata has commended the Community Woman Leader, Awkaetiti, Lady Chioma Brown Okafor (Lolo Ugosimba ) over the unveiling of their Women Center and Garri Processing Unit at Awkaetiti, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State.
Mrs Obi gave the commendations during the Awkaetiti Improvement Union (AIU) Women’s wing Summit shortly before the commissioning cum unveiling of the two projects established by Inyom Awkaetiti
The Mayor who happens to be a member of Inyom Awkaetiti thanked Lady Okafor for making them proud, saying that she has set an example for other community women leaders to emulate.
Mrs Obi also advised women and youths to ensure that they were meaningfully engaged with several skills acquisition programs at their disposal because idleness breeds gossip, quarrels in homes, and sometimes infidelity.
She further encouraged the women on political participation and to vote massively for the continuity of Governor Chukwuma Soludo because of the many dividends of democracy he has made possible in Anambra State.
“The administration of Soludo our Solution Governor is women friendly. Apart from doing all the massive road infrastructure, the free antenatal and delivery, free education, potable water, employment of teachers and health workers, Youth Empowerment after 1 Youth 2 skills training are mostly benefited by women and their children. That is the more reason we should vote for Oluatuegwu, remember this is my community and we must ensure that we, our husbands and children vote massively for All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) come November 8,” she said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the community woman leader, Lady Okafor (Lolo Ugosimba) recounted that it was over 16 years since the women’s projects were abandoned but with the help of God, the Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon Mrs Obi, the current Inyom Awkaetiti executive, her husband and others, that the abandoned projects became a reality in her tenure.
According to Lady Okafor, this is the day the Lord has made and I am glad and rejoicing because God did it. Today being Inyom Awkaetiti Day/Summit 2025, we unveiled our Center and garri processing unit.
“For many years up till three months ago here was a thick forest infested with snakes, overgrown trees covering this building but God stood by us, we pursued, overtook and conquered.
“The center is for Medicals and Healthcare outreach programs, Skill Acquisition to engage our youths and women. It is also a meeting center or for wedding ceremonies for hire. We have about 110 chairs and tables, standby electricity generator and fans to ensure a conducive atmosphere.
“Before, Awkaetiti women used to go down to Nnobi or Igboukwu communities whenever they want to process garri but they will not suffer travelling to such distances to process garri anymore. Here, we have all the engines to press, grind before frying the garri.
“I thank God for my Vice President and other Executive members for a work well done. I thank my husband Ichie Brown Okafor (Omekannaya), he made this project possible. My husband was right behind me giving all the support. He donated all the buckets of paints used in beautifying this buildings. I also thank my in-laws – family of D E Okafor and others who contributed in one way or the other, especially the Mayor of Idemili South LGA, Hon Mrs Obi who I always run to for support.
Moreover, the Inyom Awkaetiti, Vice President, Mrs Kate Okonkwo (Ochiora Ojinnemenwa) exclaimed that what has not been seen before in Awkaetiti came to reality during their own tenure just in less than three years.
Several women who spoke to our correspondent narrated their ordeals traveling to other communities to process garri, saying that not only will they come now to their own factory but will direct others to do so.
They eulogized the leadership qualities of Lady Okafor, saying that her emergence as the Woman leader Home and Abroad made coming to Inyom Awkaetiti Women’s Summit an interesting and eventful program to attend.
Commissioning the Multi-purpose Center, an Awkaetiti indigenous Priest, Director of Communications Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese and the PA on Media to the Archbishop, Rev. Fr. George Adimike, blessed the center and women, praying that it would generate the required revenue to sponsor more projects.
Other Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Anambra State House of Assembly Member Representing Idemili South, Barr. Ebuka Igwe (Ugosinachi), PG Awkaetiti, Sir Emeka Ezeoke, Representative of Igwe Engr Michael Ezeudenna, Ichie Ebele Enemuo, (Ohamadike,) Ichie Brown Okafor (Omekannaya), and Management of Awkaetiti Microfinance Bank.
They all commended AIU Women’s wing Awkaetiti for the projects, praying God to continue giving the Awkaetiti women visionary leaders like Lady Okafor and her team as they get ready for the election of new executive.
Uzo is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
