By Baron Ike
Women are the pillars upon which the stands, the wife of the Governor of Imo State, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma has said.
The First Lady made this remark in the speech she read during the grand finale of the 2020 edition of Imo women August meeting held at the Heroes Square, Owerri.
She noted that the women August meeting which is an annual event, involving all Imo women, both home and abroad, provides an opportunity for them to gather and chart the way forward for themselves, family and society at large.
She had described the August meeting as a bridge that links all women from all walks of life.
Barr. Uzodimma also solicited the continued support of Imo women to her husband’s administration.
It was also an opportunity for her to enumerate the monumental achievements of her husband, Governor Hope Uzodimma, within his short stay in office, particularly in the areas of security, healthcare, civil service reform, road and drainage construction, youths and women empowerment, among others.
She explained that this year’s Imo women August meeting centred on the fight against human rights violations and the Coronavirus pandemic, and revealed her plans to eliminate rape and defilement in Imo State by way of opening a sex offenders registry.
It was full of commendations for the First Lady as the Commissioner for Gender and Vulnerable Group, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu lauded her for all the palliatives and empowerment packages she lavished on 3000 Imo women before and during the 2020 August meeting.
The grand finale was a carnival of a sort as it had reputable dignitaries from across the country in attendance, including Governor Uzodimma, his deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, past Imo First Ladies, among other very important personalities.
The Grand Finale was spiced up with activities like Match past, cultural dance exhibition, food competition (zonal), cultural competition (zonal), gift prices for the winners and more empowerment from the First Lady.
Below is the full speech of Her Excellency:
Imo State First Lady, Her Excellency, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma delivering her speech during this year’s Grand Finale of Women August meeting held in Owerri.
AUGUST MEETING SPEECH BY THE FIRST LADY OF IMO STATE, HER EXCELLENCY, BARR. (MRS) CHIOMA UZODIMMA, HELD AT THE HEROES SQUARE ON SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, 2020
INTRODUCTION
I want to most warmly, appreciate you all for the support and encouragement you have given the administration of my husband, His Excellency, Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma. which I am part and parcel of. I am so grateful. May God continue to bless you all as we hope not to let you down.
Annually celebrated “August Meeting” is for all Imo women, both home and abroad. It is a special gathering of women to chart the way forward for us, our families and the society in general. It is a bridge that links all women from all walks of life. It is an auspicious celebration which brings us together to talk about pressing matters and contemporaneous issues pertinent to women and how to make our society better generally.
In this case, to help the present administration in Imo State to achieve its 3Rs’ mandate, women inclusion in Government and public services (gender balancing and 35% Affirmative Action), War Against Gender-based violence and the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.
Today, I have come to you all, not only as ‘The Wife of Governor of Imo State but as a woman, one of your own, to discuss the current administration and how it affects us. Women are the strongest hold of the family, which is the smallest unit of the society and that makes our role very important and vital in both the family and the society at large. I believe that politics and good governance can only be achieved with the involvement of women.
As women, we are at the epicenter of it all because everything passes through us, so if we choose to make a difference, it will definitely be felt. I believe in our mindset as women, that once we agree on a certain thing or make a decision, we push for it with every determination. I know and you know women have the strongest of minds, our support system is the strongest. Hence, whatever we set our minds to, we achieve it and get it done.
So, I ask you women, Ị dịkwa njikere?. Are you ready to be committed to the success of this administration? Because this can only be achieved with one voice and mind. We have to be peaceful, united and determined. We must most importantly, be our sister’s keepers, help each other so we can help the men, the children and in turn help the society at large.
A n’ebido n’ụlọ wee mara mma tupuu a pụwa ezi. We are the foundation upon which any society stands, so we are important to any administration that wants to succeed but first of all, we have to be one and love each other. We need to stop the “pull her down” syndrome and character assassination “for we are each other’s keeper or responsibility”.
As women, our main duty is to bridge the gap and smoothen the part; see something, say something. No more “I don’t care attitude” towards our society because the little neglect you give to the next person affects the society at large.
Let us take care of our dear Imo State, – me, you and our next door neighbour. We are the government and the government is us, we are the people, their mothers, wives and sisters, we are married to them hence, we are much more closer affiliated to them than the general public which is still made up of you and I.
THE 3Rs MANTRA OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SHARED PROSPERITY
The administration of the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma is anchored and centered on the 3Rs – Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery of Imo State and it’s people, of which he has already kick-started. He has been true to his word. Despite the challenges and circumstances surrounding him, he has refused to relent or give up.
He understands the concept and importance of togetherness and community in government and he is willing to carry everyone willing to join in his vehicle of change.
Since his assumption of office in January 15th 2020, a lot has indeed been achieved:
1. In the area of security, through the launching of the “Operation Search and Flush”- fully equipped with over 100 pickup vans, the people of Imo State can now sleep with their eyes closed under the umbrella of the assurance of security.
2. The Civil Service and Public Service sectors, being the core of administration, have also been revived.
3. In the area of health, we have unveiled the “Imo Initiative Program”, to help combat and conquer health and safety issues beyond Covid-19.
4. The Ada Palm Oil Mill has been revived, which means more jobs for our children and more businesses for us women, in the palm oil business.
5. You can see our roads are being rehabilitated and made better to end the flood episodes in Imo State.
All these and more have been achieved but the important one that caught my attention is his love for me, the women and the youths. This is reflected in the Entrepreneurship Training Scheme for 5,000 graduates, to enable them own businesses and create employment opportunities with the financial support of the government.
Governor Hope Uzodimma, being a man that believes in gender equality, he has done his best by including women in his administration with the full knowledge of the saying that, “behind every successful man, there is a woman”.
So, behind every successful administration, there should be a woman. Our women occupy political positions in this current administration such as Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, DGs and more. We are grateful for this.
All these women are all working closely with the Governor in taking decisions that affect our day to day activities. The role and positive impact of women cannot and should not be neglected in any government and society, and that is why our Governor has acknowledged, understood and acted upon it. So, we can help him, advise him and together we can achieve a greater and better Imo state.
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Gender-based violence has been in existence and rampant but has been hidden and suppressed by victims because of fear or threats, victimization, stigmatization or persons involved, but we say “Enough is enough”.
The increase in violence against persons, especially, against women and children in Imo State has become a thing of great concern and hence, it has attracted the attention of the Imo State government. It is a very bad omen that should be shunned in the society with good punitive measures to warn intending perpetrators.
To that effect, some stakeholders, front liners, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and myself, have met to strategize on measures to successfully curb this crime and wage War Against Gender-based violence, especially against women and children. But we cannot do it alone; mothers protect your children and that of your neighbours because we are our sisters’ keepers. Let us train our sons to be well mannered, respect women and vice versa.
Rape, sexual harassment and violence against women have become an ugly norm in the society, especially in Imo State but it is time to say NO! . Let us all cry out because it could be my child, your child or someone else’s child that could find themselves in such predicament. Mothers, we need to start early to educate the Younger Males on acts that constitute violence against women in Imo State. Charity begins at home. If we train them well, they will be useful to us and to the society at large; which is the prayer of every parent – “A Useful Child”.
To curb this crime therefore, we intend to open a Sex Offenders’ register, which will take effect once the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition Act (VAPP) is passed into law. This register will go a long way to discourage people from indulging and perpetrating sex offences and other forms of violence against women, knowing that their names will be published on the list and publicized, hence they will become felons and will have to deal with the stigma forever.
We are also creating awareness against acts that constitute violence against persons via social media, involving the traditional rulers, community leaders and families which include particularly you, the women and I. We will engage our Local Government Social Workers and partner with the Guidance and Counselling (G&C) units of our Secondary Schools to help counsel, rehabilitate and steer us in the right direction.
To this end, we must strive for a society that encourages gender equality especially in women and discourages violence against women and children, not one that promotes this ugly phenomenon by vilifying the victims and subtly protecting the offenders, thereby making victims look like the offenders instead of the victims. “No remains No” in all ramifications.
I will continue to work alongside my husband to seek Legislative backing to put an end to the menace of gender-based violence and when committed eventually, we will ensure offenders are caught and punished adequately. In Imo State, we will do everything within our power to protect women and the girlchild from perverts and this is a collective effort from you and I and of course, the men as well.
Having said that, a committee has been set up to combat this menace. We therefore encourage anyone who has experienced any form of violence, be it sexual or otherwise, to please speak up and let justice take its full course. Do not be intimidated. Do not be scared. Do not die in silence. We are here for you. We are renovating the Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARCs) with the support of my husband to help in the counselling and rehabilitation of persons affected by this unfortunate act.
I want to seize this opportunity to charge our women, mothers and sisters, wives, to encourage our girls and boys to always speak up in cases of abuse.
COVID-19 SENSITIZATION
Health is wealth and a healthy Imo State is a successful Imo State. Yes, the lockdowns is gradually been eased down and things are returning back to normalcy, yet, these safety measures should not be taken likely. The Coronavirus is real and dangerous. Don’t let anyone deceive and make you believe otherwise.
I want to appreciate our Health workers, it has not been easy, you all are our heroes. My fellow women, make sure our husbands and our children follow protocols which emphasize social distancing and safety hygiene practices such as:
1. Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly,
2. Using alcohol-based sanitizers that is above 60% to keep our hands clean and safe,
3. Sneezing into our elbow curves or tissues, which we must throw away immediately.
4. Avoid handshakes, hugs and rubbing of any surface.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
6. Always wear you face mask.
Ụmụ nwaanyị ibe m, we need to drive this message home and make sure our family is equipped for a Corona-free life because our husbands, children and brothers make up the Government, hence we must protect them because we do not want to lose them. Please do not self-medicate. Mothers, if you notice any symptoms like constant cough, dry cough or difficulty in breathing, please call the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on 08009700010. Let us also protect the elderly, as aging could affect their immune systems.
CONCLUSION
While we observe all these measures, let us not forget to pray to God because the Bible makes it clear that if God does not watch over a place, the watchman watches in vain – Psalm 127:1. It is only God that saves. Therefore, let us always pray for our families, our dear Imo State and Nigeria at large because we need God in the face of this raging pandemic.
Women, let us support each other. We are like a chain that binds each other. We can only move forward if we are together. So, I charge you all today to support the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led administration and help us serve you better because the Imo state of our dreams can only be achieved with the effort of you and I.
Together we can achieve more, alone we can achieve so little. Yes, it is possible through the joint efforts of you and I.
Thank You all.
And may God bless us, God bless our children, God bless our husbands and God bless Imo State and Nigeria in general.
Ụmụ nwaanyị ibe m aaaaaaaaaa!!!!!