By joshua 
Be the agents of hope, peace in your families- Ebonyi first lady tasks women
—-distributes wheel chairs to PWDs
—harps on agriculture, voters registration
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
The wife of the executive Governor of Ebonyi State Chief (Mrs) Mary Maudline Uzomaka Nwifuru has charged Ebonyi women to be the agents of hope, peace, and progress in their families and communities, saying that women regardless of background, have the potential to inspire change.
The first lady gave the charge during the grand finale of 2025 August meeting held at Christian ecumenical center Abakaliki, the State capital.
The Governor’s wife who distributed wheel chairs to the persons with disabilities in the State in order to better their lives, charged women across the State to embrace agriculture to boost food sufficiency and massively participate on the ongoing voters registration exercise to reelect Governor Francis Nwifuru and vote other credible candidates of their come 2027 general elections.
The August meeting with the theme “women who inspired change was used to advise women in the State to embrace positive change in their lives by the wife of the Governor.
According to Mrs Nwifuru “To inspire change is not only to hold public office or lead in politics. It is also to teach a child, to mentor another woman, to build a family rooted in values, to contribute to community growth, and to lend a helping hand to the vulnerable. Our gathering today calls us to reflect on the women in our lives who inspired us, and to ask ourselves: Am I inspiring change”
In the Ebonyi context, “Women who Inspire Change” reflects the courage and dedication of women who continue to transform rural communities through education, agriculture, healthcare, and empowerment initiatives. Their impact is evident in improved access to resources, reduction of poverty, and the breaking of generational cycles of disadvantage”
“History has also shown us that women are not just supporters of change, we are drivers of it. Whenever women stand united, nations rise; whenever women lead with courage, societies flourish”
The first lady said that the August meeting became imperative as it was an avenue for Ebonyi women to gather together and chart a new course for the growth of their families, communities, State and the society at large.
“Today, we are not only here to deliberate, but also to remind ourselves of the power within us as women, the power to inspire, to transform, and to build a more prosperous future for our people”
“Our society has always recognized the irreplaceable role of women. We are the custodians of culture, the nurturers of families, and the silent builders of communities. From the farms to the classrooms, from the markets to the boardrooms, and from the prayer altars to the government offices, women have carried the torch of progress”
She further acknowledged the support of Governor Francis Nwifuru to Ebonyi women in the State, adding that her pet project BERWO foundation has continued to transformed the lives of Ebonyi women especially in the area of education, health care, economic empowerment and housing.
“In healthcare, rural women now have access to free medical outreaches, safe delivery kits, and maternal care. We have successfully repaired fistular patients and they have been discharged with start-up funds after empowering them”
“In education, scholarships have been awarded to indigent children, ensuring that no dream is cut short because of poverty”
“In empowerment, widows, single mothers, and young women are receiving training, skills, and startup support to live independently and provide for their families”
“In housing, we have built 26 homes for 2 widows each in the 13 Local Government of the state who had been left vulnerable, restoring their dignity and giving them a roof of hope”
She called on the women to inspire change by raising Godly and disciplined children and also by standing against violence, injustice as well harmful cultural practices in their various localities.
“No woman should pull another down. Instead, let us create a sisterhood of support, mentorship, and collective growth. Together, we can be the generation of women who redefined leadership in Ebonyi State’
Speaking during the event, Governor Francis Nwifuru represented by his deputy Princess Patricia Obila commended Ebonyi women for organizing such wonderful gathering. The Governor who lauded his dear wife for her life touching programmes through her BERWO project, assured of his continued support to women in the State.
The deputy chief whip of the 10th senate Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi Congratulated women of the state for their support to Governor Nwifuru and Mrs Nwifuru, assured his support to the first lady towards bettering the lots of women and pledged three bedroom bungalow to APC women leaders of Ebonyi North senatorial zone in the State while announcing that bill for special seat to women has scaled first and second reading at the National Assembly.
The chairman association of Local Government of Nigeria Barr. Chinedu Uburu who spoke on behalf of the council chairmen in the State vowed to continually support the activities of the first lady of the State at all times.
The chairman of the occasion Chief Mrs Fransisca Ogba, wives of the former Governors of the State Chief Mrs Josephine Elechi and Chief Mrs Eunice Ukamaka Egwu respectively urged Ebonyi women to strengthened the protection of their children, families and respect their husbands for the good of the society and assured their total support and solidarity to Mrs Nwifuru while calling on Ebonyi women to take what they learnt from the August meeting back home.
The event featured lecture on hygiene by BERWO team lead Professor Nkechi Echiegu, financial management by Mrs Winifred Mbam and cultural display by different group.