She said the First Lady Award gladdens her heart and that it would encourage her to do more for Ebonyi people and humanity in general.
Mrs. Nwifuru stated this in her office at the new government house, centenary city, Abakaliki the state capital while receiving the nomination from the management of The Sun Newspapers.
She opined that she didn't know that The Sun was observing what she was doing and commended the organization for finding her worthy of the accolade.
"I want to thank the people of Ebonyi State for giving me that enabling environment to do all the things you listed I have done.
"I am overwhelmed that things we do for our people, it is our responsibility to do so and has taken a root to the ears of The Sun.
"I never knew that what we are doing will cross the walls of Ebonyi State and here you are giving me award.
"Most things, I used to ask myself, do I really deserve this because I have not really done anything to warrant any award l.
_I am just asking God to help me to achieve what I want to achieve by empowering our women, helping them to know that they have hope in Ebonyi State and I am not doing it to receive any award, rather, I am doing it for God to take all the glory.
"I want to appreciate The Sun for finding me worthy . I would have declined because like I said, I don't know if I deserve this wonderful award but to God be the glory that you find me worthy and I know that it is the Lord's doing.
"Thank you very much for this award, this is a call for more action because to who much is given, much is expected. Now that I know all eyes are on me, I will have to put more efforts", she stated.
Presenting the nomination letter to her on behalf of the organization, the Managing Director/Editor -in-Chief of The Sun Newspapers, Onuoha Ukeh said
her selection for the award was based on merit and that it was the outcome of a rigorous process that lasted several weeks of debate and scrutiny by Board of Editors of the company.
He noted that Mrs. Nwifuru has distinguished herself among other first ladies in the country.
Ukeh said "as the First Lady of Ebonyi State, you are toeing the footpath of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Upon the inauguration of your husband as the governor of the state in 2023, you came with a definite agenda of bettering the lot of the poor and vulnerable.
"Your undying passion to alleviate the plight of the downtrodden, creating awareness to end gender-based violence, advocating for victims, supporting second chance education for citizens of the state, especially those in the rural areas, gave rise to your pet project - Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation, which was launched on November 15, 2023.
"With this special purpose vehicle, you have taken the gospel of better life for rural women, children and men too, to the nooks and crannies of the state. The landscape of Ebonyi is dotted with your initiatives on healthcare, education, community development, women and youth empowerment. There are evidences of rapid response to crisis and relief, cultural preservation and heritage as well as advocacy and awareness creation.
"It is heart-warming to note that in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, you have enhanced consciousness on breast and cervical cancer amongst women and girls in the state. You also enrolled 100 sickle cell warriors in the health insurance scheme of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, organized de-worming programme where children were given drugs and palliatives; and also officially launched the Severe Acute Malnutrition Centre at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre in Abakaliki.
"In a long time to come, the people of Ebonyi will not forget that through your Foundation, you sponsored surgery for 130 scrotal hernia patients from across the state. Again, in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, you provided free camping and vaccination for Human Papilloma Virus sufferers. Young girls between nine and 15 years benefited from the gesture.
"We also took into consideration, the fact that you are a campaigner against gender-based violence, human trafficking, healthcare access, child welfare; and an advocate of gender balance. We know that you detest any form of abuse and exploitation of children. To amplify this, you facilitated the establishment of children's parliament in the state.
"It is for these reasons and several others that our Board of Editors chose you as the winner of The Sun First Lady of the Year Award for 2024.
"The Sun First Lady of the Year Award is given to the wife of a state governor who has set aside the glamour of the office and used her position to impact the lives of the people".
The formal presentation of the award to Mrs. Nwifuru will be held at The Sun Awards 2024 ceremony scheduled for Lagos on March 1, 2025.
