Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative Holds 2024 Annual Conference in Obehie

 

Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative Holds 2024 Annual Conference in Obehie
…Distributes Sewing Machines, Cassava Milling Machines, Hair dryers, Popcorn Machines, Others including Cash to Women

Saturday, October 19, 2024 was a great day in the annals of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative.

On that day, members of the famous group, friends, well-wishers, traditional rulers, captains of industry, religious leaders, men, women, youths, top government officials, frontline politicians and other notable dignitaries converged on Obehie Central School, Obehie, Asa in Ukwa West local government area of Abia State for the 2024 Annual Conference of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative tagged, “Women: A Panacea for Nation Building”.

The ground-breaking annual lecture held in an atmosphere of conviviality under the distinguished chairmanship of Rotn. Nnanna Innocent Ogbuji, the General Manager, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In her welcome address, Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu thanked God for preserving their lives to host the auspicious Annual Conference this year despite the prevailing hardship across the nation.

She expressed deep appreciation to members of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative for their continued support and selfless service to God and humanity.

She thanked their special guests and other dignitaries for gracing the epoch-making event as well as all those who contributed to its success in one way or the other.

She noted that the successful hosting of the Annual Conference has further increased the reputation of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative within and outside the nation.

She told the members to participate actively in all the activities of the group and create more awareness in their various local government areas.

She said that their 2024 Annual Conference is a consolidation of their previous activities and achievements including scholarship awards for students in private and public schools in 2021, registration of WAEC and JAMB for many indigent students in 2023, periodic distribution of foodstuffs, wrappers, building of houses for poor widows and the less-privileged among others.

She disclosed that the organization use its annual conference to train, support, encourage and empower women on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), fashion & designing, hairdressing/salon, catering and other relevant human endeavours with good starter packs and cash.

She emphasized the importance of empowering women and girls adding that it is vital to economic growth, political stability and social transformation.

According to her, women are agents of change. When you empower women or provide opportunities or platforms to showcase their talents, you have empowered a whole generation.

She expressed profound gratitude to God that what started like a mustard seed some years ago has grown into a towering tree or Iroko within a very short time.

She said that the Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative today boasts of branches in the six local government areas of Abia South namely Ukwa West, Ukwa East, Ugwunagbo, Obingwa, Aba North and Aba South including Port Harcourt and the United Kingdom (UK).

With its Headquarters in Ukwa West Local Government Area, Pastor Mrs. Okey Kanu assured that the association would continue to grow from strength to strength in the years to come.

Her address attracted resounding applause and all those present described the event as another remarkable milestone of Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu in Abia State.

In his opening remarks, the chairman on the occasion, Rotn. Nnanna Innocent Ogbuji showered encomium on the founder of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative, Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu and members of the organization for their tenacity of purpose in providing succour to women and the less-privileged despite the economic hardship across the nation.

He appealed to all the esteemed guests and other lovers of good things to support Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu to sustain her vision of helping women and the less-privileged.

On her part, the Mother of the Day and Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Dr. Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha (OON), the Minister of State for Labour and Employment ably represented by the immediate past Chairman, Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Barr. Sam Nwogu lauded Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu for her wonderful initiative and uncommon passion in alleviating the plight of women and the less-privileged in Abia State and beyond.

She said that her initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s Empowerment Programmes aimed at providing women and the less-privileged with skills and opportunities for growth and development.

She called for collaboration with the government at all levels, public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies to initiate programmes that focus on skill development, entrepreneurship among others to help women and the less-privileged.

She expressed optimism that together they would come up with innovative ideas and programmes that would enhance their lot.

The Conference Lecture tagged: “Women: A Panacea for Nation Building” was delivered by the Guest Speaker, Lady Nancy Nwosu, PhD.

She commended Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu for the successful hosting of their 2024 Annual Conference.

Thereafter, she did justice to the theme of the Annual Conference and in the end provided members of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative with valuable insights on how to promote the organization’s core values and service to humanity.

She emphasized the need for increased support for women empowerment as well as creating opportunities for women in leadership positions and called for all hands to be on deck to actualize it.

Other activities that took place after her keynote lecture included march past, cutting of anniversary cake, cultural dances by the Mgbede Ala cultural dance and others, placing of wrapper on Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo’s shoulders by the women of Ukwa East LGA, short speeches, freewill donations among others.

Speaking, Chief Okey Kanu, the husband of the founder of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative and former Executive Chairman of Ukwa West Local Government Area said that his wife has done them proud by providing succour to the less-privileged on several occasions through her Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative.

He said that she started it when they were in Lagos with Daughters of Destiny and he kept praying that one day God would bring them home so that she would also make positive impact in their place.

The elated former Ukwa West Local Government Boss said that since they came back from Lagos that she has been doing it and today it has spread to Abia South, Port Harcourt and the United Kingdom (UK) to the glory of God.

He emphasized that it is a non-profit and non-political organization, which she has been using to help women, especially widows and the less-privileged.

He stated that she did not start it because of any selfish interest, political motivation or expectation of reward from anybody.

He expressed unquantifiable gratitude to God for making what started like a joke some years ago to blossom to greater height today with branches in Abia State, Rivers State and overseas.

He lauded all the executives of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative and the entire members for their overwhelming solidarity and remarkable achievements over the years.

He assured that if God continues to spare their lives that next year’s Annual Conference would be the talk of the town.

He appreciated his wife and her group for their unrelenting efforts in putting smiles on the faces of women adding that what she is doing does not mean that they are richer or better than most people or families in Ukwa West but it is what she has chosen to do long time ago.

He assured her of his continued support and prayed God to grant her long life, good health, more strength and resources to continue.

Contributing, HRH Eze Ndubuisi Okwuchi, the traditional ruler of Isi Obehie Asa Autonomous Community in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State described Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu as a woman with the heart of gold whose numerous contributions to the development of Asa would always be remembered.

He said that what she is doing is not easy and urged other well to do sons and daughters of Asa to support her.

He prayed God to grant her long life, good health and riches so as to sustain her good works.

In their respective speeches, Barr. Sam Nwogu, Elder Chibuike Kanu, PhD, the MD/CEO Chyvik Model Primary and Secondary Schools, Obehie, Chief Stanley Ikechukwu Eche, former Commissioner for Petroleum in Abia State, Chief Felix Ebere, a former member, Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Nwogu David (De Chiwowo), Prince Nana (Bishop-elect), and others applauded Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu for her uncommon gesture and unparalleled humanitarianism.

They said that this is the first time they are seeing an individual using her money to do a thing like this and assured her of their continued support.

Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of empowerment items such as sewing machines, grinding machines, cassava milling machines, hair dryers and pop corn machines including cash to the numerous beneficiaries.

In her speech during the presentation of the empowerment items to the beneficiaries, Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu said that she did it because she wants to equip the women with 21st century skills aimed at making them self-reliant so that tomorrow some of them would become employers of labour.

Asked what drives her to do all that she does, she said that it is only God. She disclosed that God is her backbone and the secret of her success.

She encouraged the women to use the items to take care of themselves, their families and others.

Some of the beneficiaries are Queen Chiemeka from Ozaa Ukwu (casava mill), Uloma Solomon from Ozaa West (sewing machine), Mercy Nwogu from IPU South (pop corn machine), Onyinyechi Chuks from Obokwe (hair dryer), Esther Chijioke from IPU East (hair dryer), Onyinyechi Ikechukwu from Asa South (power-pack machine), Uzochi Chinedu from Asa South (pop corn machine), Onyebuchi Destiny from Aba North (sewing machine), Chibuzor Nwogu from Aba South (sewing machine), Chinenye Nwanganga from Obingwa (pop corn machine), Chinyere Gift from Ukwa East (sewing machine), Chioma Emmanuel from Obuzor Ward (pop corn machine), Nneoma Monday from Ogwe (hair dryer), Favour Monday from Ugwunagbo (hair dryer) among others.

The beneficiaries expressed immense gratitude to Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu for putting smiles on their faces. They described what she did for them as life-transforming and promised to make good use of the items.

In the march past competition Ozaa West women came first followed by Ozaa Ukwu and Ugwunagbo respectively. The trio received jumbo cash prizes while other participants were given consolation prizes.

The Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative 2024 Annual Conference was a huge success and attracted the presence of so many dignitaries and various groups from far and near including the immediate past Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Udo Oko Chukwu, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Chief Chris Nkwonta, former Leader, Ukwa West Legislative Council, Hon. Chidiebere Nwogu, Deaconess Mrs. Ego Aruh (Chairperson, Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative, Aba South LGA), National Council of Women Society (NCWS), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the women of IPU East, IPU West, IPU South, Ozaa West, Ozaa Ukwu, Asa North, Asa South, Ogwe, Obuzor, Ukwa East, Obingwa, Aba North, Aba South, Ugwunagbo and others.

In her vote of thanks, the President of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative, Dr. Mrs. Stella Chibuike Kanu lauded their founder, Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu for her foresight and unwavering commitment towards the growth and expansion of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative within and outside the nation.

She eulogized her uncommon passion for women and the less-privileged and prayed God to continue to bless and protect her.

She appreciated all and sundry for gracing the occasion as well as all those who supported them in one way or the other and wished them safe journey back to their various destinations.

The event climaxed with a closing prayer by Elder Chibuike Kanu, PhD. The MD/CEO Chyvik Model Primary and Secondary Schools thanked God for the special grace He has bestowed on Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu and begged Him to enlarge her coast as well as replenish her purse.

At the end, the following dignitaries bared their minds on the occasion describing it as a huge success and the mother of all empowerment programmes in the state ever undertaken by an individual and non-political office holder in recent time. Excerpts.

Barr. Sam Nwogu
(Immediate past Chairman, ASOPADEC)

I am very happy with what I saw here today and I am going to support them. In fact, I did not know that they are this prepared. I pray that the beneficiaries would not play with their starter packs or sell them. Let them use it to better their lot because it will encourage her and all of us to do more for them.

 

Rotn. Nnanna Innocent Ogbuji
(Chairman on the occasion)

 

I feel excited because I have witnessed this programme grow from strength to strength and from number to numbers. This is the third series that I have witnessed. The first series was about children. The second one was about women and this third series is about women but she has expanded the scope. It is no longer Ukwa West LGA affairs. She has gone beyond Ukwa West to other local government areas of Abia State including Port Harcourt and the United Kingdom (UK). So, I am really impressed that she has sustained it and continued to impact women positively. It is a good thing. Women are home builders. They also build the society, the state and the nation. What she is doing has improved and one thing about this project is that it is not something that should be left for one person alone. It is something that concerns everybody. If women can develop the society to become better, anybody can support her or use her as a focal point to reach other women.

Dr. Mrs. Stella Chibuike Kanu
(President, Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative)

Today, we held our Annual Conference and our founder, Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu used the occasion to empower women and the less-privileged. So many of the beneficiaries went home with sewing machines, hair dryers, cassava milling machines, popcorn machine including cash. It was really wonderful. This is not the first time we are doing it. We used to do it since the inception of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative to help women and the less-privileged to put food on their table. So that is what transpired here today. I pray that the Almighty God would keep enriching her and replenish all that she has spent today in Jesus name. According to her husband, Chief Okey Kanu she had been doing it even when they were in Lagos. Some people derive pleasure from helping others. I think she is one of those people and I thank the Almighty God who brought her home so that our people would also partake in her goodwill. Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative is waxing very strong. Our membership has increased astronomically and extended beyond Abia State to Port Harcourt, Rivers State and overseas. I want to make a special prayer for our founder. Our mummy has spent millions of naira today. She hired buses for all the women that came here today from far and near. I pray that the Almighty God would bless her more abundantly and as she is thinking of how to better the lot of the less-privileged may God answer all her prayers in Jesus name. Amen.

Elder Chibuike Kanu, PhD
(MD/CEO Chyvik Model Primary and Secondary Schools, Obehie)

I am not surprised with the rapid growth of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative because the aims of the founder, Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu is what is driving the organization to greater height. In fact, if you look at what this woman is doing through this organization, you would know that she is fulfilling what is written in the Bible at James 1:27, which says that the effective religion is that of taking care of widows, the less-privileged and also to live righteously. The empowerment programme is geared towards fulfilling this portion of the Bible. She is a selfless woman. What she is doing is devoid of any political ambition. In fact, her husband told me that this programme started when they were in Lagos. And time without number whenever she held the programme those who were living within their vicinity, especially women and the less-privileged would benefit immensely in terms of empowerment to overcome their miserable or deplorable situation. And I know that God is going to bless her. If you look around this place today, you would find out that millions of naira have been spent to procure these empowerment items. She would have used the money to empower people within their area but she spread her tentacles to various local government areas of Abia State to help the needy. So, this programme would not stop here as far as it is fulfilling that divine mandate. Jesus Christ told his disciples, some would come to me and would say Lord, Lord when did we do this to you. When did we see you naked and we clothed you? When did we see you an hungered and we gave you food or when did we see you homeless and we gave you shelter? And Jesus said, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. The woman is a pastor and she is fulfilling that mandate by reaching out to the less-privileged. Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative would grow to greater height. The Lord Jesus Christ would enlarge her coast. She would never be found wanting in time of need. Jehovah Nissi would fill her pocket. This is just the morning for Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative. I also congratulate her loving husband, Chief Okey Kanu who has been encouraging her. I give him kudos.

Nwachukwu Goodluck Ihuoma

I am the Area Inspector of Education, Ukwa East LGA and Vice President of Peculiar Women Empowerment Initiative. I am very happy with what God is using our mummy and founder, Pastor Mrs. Orjiugo Okey Kanu to do in the life of women and the less-privileged in the society. Her kindness is legendary and knows no bounds. May God continue to bless and protect her.