I’ve been collaborating with my husband to improve lots of Imo women, 2023 August Meeting Outstanding – Mrs Uzodimma

    BY JENNIFER JOHN / OWERRI

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Wife of Imo State Governor, Barrister Mrs Chioma Uzodimma has said that her office has been in active collaboration with the administration of her husband, Senator Hope, to improve the lots of Imo women, children, youths and the citizens in general.

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Mrs. Uzodimma stated this in her address during the grand finale of the 2023 Imo Women August meeting held at Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square (formerly Heroes Square) Owerri, Friday.

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Lady Uzodimma who was full of appreciation for Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for honouring their invitation, also appreciated her empowerment package for Imo women and Nigerian women in general.

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She disclosed that the President’s wife funded the empowerment of 500 indigent widows and the elderly women with N50,000 cash each.

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The Imo First Lady said that her husband’s administration is not resting on its oars in its effort towards providing a better opportunities for all segments of the state.

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According to her, the administration is creating job opportunities for the youths, pointing out that the state government has resuscitated  defunct industries in the state such as the Standard Shoe Industry.

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“It is noteworthy that the administration of my husband has taken employment of Imo youths with the fervent commitment it requires, through the Skillup Imo project, to train ten thousand youths every year in digital skills. So far 5000 has graduated, supported with startup kits and are now gainfully self employed or working in international companies, even as another set of 15,000 are due for graduation.

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The Imo first lady also pointed out that her husband’s administration is tackling the challenge of infrastructural deficit with greater enthusiasm than ever in the state, mentioning specifically  Owerri-Orlu, Owerri Okigwe and Owerri-Umuahia federal roads reconstructed by his administration. Other are: Five Kilometers of roads in each of the 27 LGAs of Imo State, which Imo women would be the highest beneficiaries.

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“I enjoin you to continue to support the administration with an abiding faith in the abundance of God’s mercy and grace”, she added.

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Barrister Uzodimma while insisting that women are the main beneficiaries of the numerous largesse of her husband’s administration, noted that her office had keyed into the government programmes to cater for the welfare of women.

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She said that her office had taken specific steps to lift women out of the various economic and social deprivations to cushion their vulnerability to gender based violence.

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“For instance, the VAPP bill was signed into law by my dear husband, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, we have worked with the NDLEA, we have commemorated some international days of women, children and youths, and on the 24 the November, 2022, inaugurated a Sexual Assault Referral Center, called the Deborah House”, she stated.

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She further listed other measures taken by her office to improve the lots of Imo women which included; “Establishment of the Small Business Fund Scheme, the hosting of welfare outreach for widows, commemoration of the World Breastfeeding week, building houses for indigent women, kicking off the phase I and II of the women empowerment programme, hosting conferences, cash gifts to widows, girls, orphanages, among others.”

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“We have here today wrappers and food items, as well as vitamin A maize, vitamin A cassava, for 2000 cassava farmers, orange flex Sweet Potatoes, Ice Block making machines (locally manufactured in Imo State), 50,000 cash for 1000 young and indigent women here, sowing machines, hair dryers, Popcorn making machines and a lot of other goodies for our women and our young girls

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Speaking on the theme of this year’s edition of the Imo Women Annual August Meeting entitled: “Women Supporting Each Other, Make Things Happen”, Barrister Uzodimma listed reasons that it is imperative for women to support each other, saying that women have common problems like menstruation, pregnancy, labour/child birth, discrimination and abuse, naturally gifted to multi-task, and the fact that when women support each other, the children are better for it.

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Other reasons, she said are that Women are endowed naturally with the ability to nurture and mentor, and are always better at it when they support each other.

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The fact is that women are greater in number and can use their numerical advantage to influence any situation they wish to influence.

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She made it clear that women would be better when they support each other than competing with one another.

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The Imo First Lady advised the women to always be proud to tell their stories including the wins and losses, ups and downs, so their fellow women will learn from them and make informed decisions.

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While also calling on the women to always speak up whenever their fellow women are being discriminated against as well as support fellow women who may be in need of courage.

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She said that the intimidating gathering of Imo women across the communities and local governments for the 2023 August meeting made a clear statement that the days when women were ignored are over, adding that their enthusiasm in political participation has demonstrated their sincere love and support for the government led by her dear husband, especially now he has picked a female running mate.

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Therefore, she tasked them to do all they could to enthrone peace in their families and communities since they are the most vulnerable in crises situations.

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 She noted that fortunes of women have greatly improved as many women now occupy positions of authority and could influence situations.

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In her address, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed her love and admiration for the Imo Women August meeting, proposing that other tribes and states across the Nigeria federation should borrow a leaf from it.

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Mrs Tinubu expressed her resolve to ensure that women enjoy the best dividends of democracy under the present administration led by her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acknowledging the remarkable strength and resilience of Nigerian women as they have been the backbone of the society.

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She added that all hands must join to ensure that the voices of women are heard and their needs addressed as well as their legacies preserved.

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 According to her, there should be collective effort against all forms of sexual and domestic violence, trafficking in persons, drug abuse and gender based violence as well as empowerment packages for women.

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She posited that when women are uplifted, the society is uplifted, which she said is the hallmark of the Renewed Hope Initiative of the present federal government.

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Lady Tinubu acknowledged the transformative strides of the governor in all facets of Imo State, calling on Imolites, especially the women to massively vote for him for a well deserved second term.

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She advised the women to treat their domestic helps well and not like animals.

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Welcoming the Nigeria First Lady, Governor Uzodimma who was on ground to accord support and solidarity to his wife, appreciated the President’s wife for her love for Imo women which has been demonstrated by her, physically honouring the invitation of her wife as special guest of honour during the grand finale of the 2023 Imo Women August Meeting.

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Uzodimma commended his wife for her organizational prowess which resulted in a successful Imo women August meeting across the autonomous communities and local government areas of the state which culminated to the grand finale in Owerri.

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He made it clear that he has no other speech to make after his wife had taken time to comprehensively analyse and dissent the content of their speeches.

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Dignitaries who graced the occasion from across Nigeria included: 8gwives of governors of other states; Dr. Mrs Olayemi Oyebanji (Ekiti), Hajia Sulifat Sule (Nasarawa), Mrs Uzoamaka Ogbonnaya Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Mrs Priscilla Otti (Abia), wife of APC National chairman, Prof. Hamsat Ganduje, Dr. Mrs Florence Ajimobi (Oyo, former governor’s wife).

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Other dignitaries were: Senator Patrick Ndubueze and wife, Senator Osita Izunaso and wife, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Senator Chris Anyanwu (former), Senator Uche Ekwunife, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, Hon. Justice Theresa Chikeka, Wife of Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Ogogo Musa, Hadjia Bilikis Kyari, Hajia Lami Adamu.

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Also in attendance were: Hon. Akarachi Amadi and wife,  Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu and wife, Hon. Canice-More Nwachukwu and wife, Hon. Miriam Onuoha, Dr. Doris Anite Uzorka, Barr. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, Dr. Betta Edu, Hon. Uche Nnaji,

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Further in attendance were; Eze (Dr.) E.C. Okeke, Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, members of Imo State Executive Council, Heads of government agencies, among others.

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Highpoint of the occasion was the flagging of Imo women empowerment by the Nigeria’s First Lady.