“With the heart of a mother and the faith of a builder, I see every woman in Enugu as a pillar of hope, a custodian of culture, and a partner in progress. Today, we gather not just to celebrate ourselves, but to reaffirm our shared mission, to raise a generation anchored on integrity, love, and service.”
These were the warm words of Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah, Wife of the Executive Governor of Enugu State, as she flagged off the 2025 Women’s August Meeting on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Michael Okpara Square, Independence Layout, Enugu. The celebration was uniquely combined with the Enugu State Monthly Prayer Network, a spiritual convocation dedicated to the peace, progress, and prosperity of the state, initiated and championed by the First Lady.
Represented by Mrs. Rita Edeh, Wife of the Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area and State Chairperson of ALGON, the First Lady expressed profound gratitude to the women of Enugu for their steadfast contributions to state development. She hailed the August Meeting as more than an annual event, describing it as “a movement that celebrates achievements, inspires leadership, and strengthens the unity of women committed to building a stronger Enugu.”
The day unfolded in a spectacle of energy, colour, and tradition. Each of the 17 local government areas decorated its canopy with distinctive symbols and motifs that proudly showcased their identity. Women, dressed in vibrant cultural attire, filled the square with joy and pride. Art and craft exhibitions, native delicacy showcases, cooking competitions, march pasts, and cultural dances turned the venue into a living gallery of Igbo heritage and female ingenuity.
A high point was the keynote address delivered by Mrs. Oby Okeke, CEO of Auto Ease, on the theme “Women as Nation Builders.” She stressed that women’s role in nation-building begins with raising the next generation in integrity and that women, as the bedrock of society, must be empowered through education and opportunity. On behalf of the First Lady, Ngozi Enyi unveiled two transformative initiatives: the Crystal Care Foundation, dedicated to empowering women and children, fighting gender-based violence, and offering support services; and the Little Vanguard Initiative, launched in July 2025 to mentor and nurture children in moral values and early development. She also called for greater male involvement in gender justice discussions and urged women to be emotionally, intellectually, and economically prepared before marriage, asserting, “No woman should walk into marriage empty-handed, and no society should tolerate female subjugation.”
Competitions added flavour to the celebration. In the Food Exhibition, Enugu North clinched first place, followed by Ezeagu and Udenu. For the Cooking Competition, Ezeagu came first, Isi-Uzo second, and Igbo-Etiti third. In the March Past, Ezeagu took first position again, while Enugu North and Igbo-Etiti secured second and third places, respectively. Among the showcased dishes were Anu Nchi, Nkapakwu Ofia, Ayaraya, Achicha, Ikpakpocha, and Bambara flour, alongside gigantic yams that became a centre of attraction.
In her closing remarks, Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Enih, Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, representing the First Lady, reflected on how the August Meeting has evolved into a generational movement that strengthens sisterhood and builds a stronger society. She urged women to sustain the partnerships forged during the meeting and remember their influence in shaping the destiny of Enugu and Nigeria.
The event drew a distinguished guest list, including Rt. Hon. Mrs. Jane Eneh, Deputy Chief Whip, Enugu State House of Assembly; Evangelist Dr. Favour Ugwuanyi (mni), Coordinator, Enugu Women Prayer Network; Dame Rita Mbah, Executive Chairman, Enugu State Tourism Board; Hon. Obiajulu Princess, Clerk of the House; Amb. Amaka Nweke, Member IV, Enugu State Local Government Service Commission; Dr. Chinyere Onyeisi, SSA to the Governor on Education Innovation & Director, Experiential Learning, Enugu Smart Green Schools; Mrs. Virginia Akpa, Rtd. Director, SSS; Mrs. Joy Egolum, Corporate Affairs Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Barr. Chidimma; Mrs. Chika Mba; and Mrs. Okwi Nweke Chizoba, alongside women leaders from PFN Fellowship, Anglican CWO, African Women Lawyers Association, Labour Party Women, and others.
Top brands like Nigerian Breweries, Golden Penny, Honeywell, Cway, 7Up, 3 Crowns Milk, and Amstel Malta added to the vibrant atmosphere with branded stands and giveaways. The celebration concluded with the National Anthem, leaving behind a powerful message: the 2025 Enugu August Meeting was not merely a cultural event, but a statement of unity, a call to action, and a resounding reminder that women are indeed the architects of tomorrow.
