*Bestows Chieftaincy title on Ebonyi APC Chairman
By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
A non-governmental organization, NGO known as the Ebonyi State Women Inclusion Movement, EBO-WIN has requested for more inclusion of females in the positions of authority by the present administration at all levels.
The President of the organization, Dr Mrs Ngozi Martha Obichukwu made the request when she led her members to pay a solidarity visit to Ebonyi State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha at his office, Abakaliki.
Obichukwu, who is currently the State Commissioner for Aviation, commended Emegha for having been instrumental in the achievement of the EBOWIN's missions and goals which in her words, was the women's inclusiveness in the governance of the state at all levels.
She noted that the members of the organization are already occupying both elective and appointive positions including the seats of Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, State Assembly, Executive Chamber members -Commissioners, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, local government chairmen, development center coordinators, among others.
The leader said the organization remains proud to have presently identified with the gender-friendly disposition of the state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru.
She, however, said: "Just like Oliver Twist, the Ebonyi Women Inclusion Movement asks for more women in positions of trust in this sweet understanding of Governor Nwifuru's human needs-oriented government.
She said the plea of the organization for more inclusion of women in governance is a call for family sustenance, accelerated and sustained development in Ebonyi State and beyond."
She appreciated the peaceful conduct of the recently concluded local government elections, in which the APC won a landslide both in 13 LGAs' chairmanship and 171 ward councilorship positions.
Obichukwu urged the APC State Chairman, Emegha never relent in his good works with the other party executive officers in the state.
Responding, the APC State Chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha whom the women conferred a Chieftaincy title, Ezinwa Ndi-Ebonyi, thanked them for the honor.
Emegha said that Governor Francis Nwifuru runs an all inclusive government thereby entrenching sustainable peace and development in parts of the state.
The APC state Chairman who was flanked by the members of the state working committee, described Governor Nwifuru as an indispensable advocate of the commoners whose leadership ingenuity has continued to gain the state more accolades than imagined. He described the Governor as his boss and leader of the party where peace and tranquility guide every decision making process in the interest of the people.
While acknowledging the astonishing and development oriented temperament of the Governor, Emegha expressed gratitude for the visit and urged the women not to relent in committing the first family into the mighty hands of God for direction, protection and provision.
"Continue to pray for our governor. He is a very unique and wonderful personality. He stands by the truth at all times. He defends the commoners without hesitation through his all inclusive government . He tells the world always that his main interest is Ebonyi people. He doesn't segregate. He wants everyone to be creative. We are lucky we have, His Excellency, my Boss, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
"We are lucky to be associated with this success story with Governor Nwifuru as the man in charge. All I need from you is to pray for the governor and success of his government. The governor is fully committed to making Ebonyi proud.
"I shall do everything possible to move the party forward. I will still be making moves to bring into APC some persons who are still in opposition. If bringing more people into our party amounts to antiparty activity then we will continue to do that to ensure a peaceful environment for our Governor to operate. We have a governor who is making Ebonyi to compete favourably well with other states of the country. We are proud of him.
"Your support is one of the reasons our governor's wife was rated the best first lady in the country. Continue to support the governor's wife always because she's the engine room what motivates the governor.
"Represent the governor and party anywhere you are. Make bold to always suggest ways we can move the party forward and in extension the state. Thank you for honouring me this way. This Chief title means so much to me. I am really grateful and may God reward you all.
"I want to specially thank your president and Hon commissioner, Dr Ngozi Obichukwu for all the pieces of advice she has been giving me. I am truly grateful, ma," Emegha said.
The APC State Deputy Chairman, Chinedu Nwali, the Zonal Chairmen of Ebonyi North and South, John Nwankata and Ernest Nwaze respectively commended the group and congratulated Emegha for setting a standard in the party leadership which earned him the chieftaincy title.
Recall that the Onuoha III of Nkaleke Echera Autonomous community and President of Oha Izhi Nnodo Ekumaenyi in the state, HRH Eze Sunday Nkwegu Oketa decorated Emegha during the Chieftaincy coronation.
