Onitsha South Mayor Receives UBWA Delegation, Backs Women’s Agricultural Empowerment
By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Executive Mayor of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon. Ikechukwu Mofunanya (Ezeoba), has received a delegation of the United Business Women Association, Diaspora (UBWA), which announced plans for its forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 26 in Abuja.
The delegation, led by the State Coordinator, Amb. (Mrs) Lilian Okpara Chinenye Chukwu, paid the courtesy visit to the mayor on November 4 at the Council Secretariat, Woliwo, Onitsha, to formally introduce the association and intimate him with its forthcoming national event.
Speaking during the visit, Amb. Chukwu disclosed that the convention would attract members from the 36 states of the federation, particularly women engaged in agricultural activities under the association’s Farmers Department.
She explained that UBWA is a non-governmental organisation with 15 active departments, adding that the forthcoming convention, being organised by its Farmers Department, would focus on the theme, “Say No to Hunger.”
According to her, the initiative is designed to promote agricultural activities, encourage greater participation of women in farming and contribute to efforts aimed at tackling hunger and food insecurity in the country. Amb. Chukwu described Mayor Mofunanya as a women-friendly leader and advocate of women’s empowerment, commending him for the warm reception and willingness to partner with the association in improving people’s lives.
Also speaking, the Onitsha South Local Government Coordinator of UBWA, Mrs Kate Uchekpechi, said the association remained committed to empowering individuals through agriculture, entrepreneurship, community development and other social intervention programmes.
She further highlighted the organisation’s interest in democratic participation, noting that its members were actively involved in electoral processes while encouraging more women to participate in politics and elections.
Responding, Mayor Mofunanya commended the association for its commitment to women’s empowerment, agricultural development and community service. He described women as indispensable partners in building a prosperous society, noting that their contributions to agriculture, business and community development were vital to economic growth.
The mayor appreciated the delegation for the visit and welcomed the proposed national convention, assuring them of his administration’s readiness to explore areas of mutual partnership that would promote empowerment, self-reliance and improved living conditions for residents.
He encouraged the association to sustain its efforts towards empowering women, particularly in agriculture and entrepreneurship, while assuring them of his administration’s support for initiatives that align with its grassroots development agenda.
