Women in Enugu State have been urged to embrace agriculture as it is the surest way of solving the economic and food crises bedeviling the nation.
The wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, gave this advice to women on Sunday during the monthly prayer meeting organized by the Enugu Women’s Prayer Ministry, led by Evangelist Dr. Favour Ugwuanyi. This program was also used to celebrate and dedicate Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s one year in office to God.
She stated that agriculture plays a critical role in Enugu State’s economy, providing employment for a significant portion of the population as well as acting as a major source of food and raw materials. It contributes to food security and industrial growth in the region.
Mrs. Mbah posited that agriculture supports rural development, reduces poverty, and enhances the livelihoods of many households. By doing so, it contributes to the state’s revenue through the production and export of crops like rice, yam, maize, cassava, palm oil, tomatoes, cucumber, and pepper, among others, which also include the rearing of livestock.
Mrs. Mbah also stated that her foundation, Custos Care Foundation, will empower 100 women from every local government area in the state on health care insurance that includes maternal care, child care, and support.
According to her, she wishes to thank the organizers of this program for their wonderful work so far in mobilizing women to pray for our dear state and also the leadership of her husband.
“It is a sign of what we, as women, can achieve when we are united as one force. Sustaining this program since 2002 is commendable.”
“I want to encourage us to keep up the good work, as women are the bedrock of every society and God doesn’t joke with our prayers.”
“There is a need for us to embrace agriculture, especially this farming season. Agriculture is the best way to curb the food crisis and financial problems. When we go into farming, we will have enough food to eat, sell, and preserve for our own good. We will also not be bothered about the ongoing food crisis as we would have had surplus within our palms.”
“Farming is sacrosanct for all our women, both those with lands and those who don’t have lands, because those who don’t have lands can do bag farming, which is fast taking over the agricultural system across the globe.”
“I want to tell all our women that my NGO, Custos Care Foundation, is set to empower about 1,700 women across the state. We intend to get these women in our various local government areas, 100 each. They will be given medical care, antenatal support, child support, among others through insurance because we want the best for them.”
“Let us endeavor to get registered with the section of my office to tap from the programs that we have.”
Mrs. Nkechi Mbah also extolled the organizers of the program, especially the coordinator, Dr. Favour Ugwuanyi, for their wonderful work, assuring them of her massive support.
In their various addresses, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, alongside the wife of the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mrs. Nkechinyere Fina Ugwu, applauded the Governor’s wife for her efforts in empowering women and children through her foundation. They urged everyone to embrace the opportunities presented by the Governor’s wife to improve their lives, while also calling for prayers towards her and her family, enabling the good work of the Lord to thrive.
In her remarks, the coordinator of the program, Dr. Favour Ugwuanyi, thanked God for the success of the event since its inception in 2002.
She stated that it has always been the norm to gather women together on a monthly basis to pray for our dear state, encourage each other, and give support when needed.
She applauded the wife of the Governor for making it a duty to support the program and promised to do her best to keep it running.
Dr. Ugwuanyi also assured that the prayer group will mobilize women to key into various programs of the state government.
In their speeches, the officiating ministers of God, Rev. Canon Francis Ojukwu, Pastor Friday Okafor, and Pastor Johnny Ogbodo, spoke on the importance of unity, hard work, and prayers in the development of society, calling on all the good people of Enugu to rally round and give Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah the physical and spiritual support to lead.
Some of the attendees included the wife of the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mrs. Nkechinyere Fina Ugwu; Enugu State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih; Deputy Chief Whip of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Princess Obiajulu Ugwu; the Heads of Personnel Management (HPM) in all the 17 local government areas; Director Admin to the wife of the Governor, Dr. Okenwa; Personal Assistant to the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Ifeoma Amadi; Personal Secretary to the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Ann; Mr. Favour in charge of Protocol; the wife of the Archbishop of the Methodist Church, Mrs. Edeh; Enugu State Chairperson, National Council of Women’s Societies; the 11 coordinating ministers of Ọkpara Square monthly prayer group; the wives of the former local government chairmen of Nkanu East, Nkanu West, and Enugu South Local Government Area; some State House of Assembly members’ wives; PDP women stakeholders; the assistant coordinator of the prayer program, Evang. Pastor Tochukwu Ogbodo, among others.
However, Pastor Keneth Uzoigwe,Rev Edwin Njoku,Pastor mrs Chinyere Onuoma, Pastor Kalu Ukpai,Pastor Luis Ugochukwu, Pastor Emma Agbalaka,Bar mrs Blessing Ogbonna ,Mrs Shalom Nnaji were all there as coordinating Ministers since 2002 and assured Her Excellency, Mrs Nkechinyere of their continuous support in all her programmes.
Mrs Ngozi Itanyi who has been incharge of Protocol of events in the prayer network since 2002 also expressed her own gratitude to Her Excellency and promised to serve more .
