The women of Owo community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, came out in their thousands to give a rousing reception to the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah, who stormed the area in the company of top government functionaries and state women leaders on a special thank-you visit. The colourful event, held at the Enugu State Smart Green Schools, Owo campus, turned into a massive political rally as the jubilant women reaffirmed their unwavering support for Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s administration and enthusiastically pledged their backing for his second term bid.
The First Lady, who arrived in the company of top government officials, was warmly received by a sea of excited women clad in colourful attires, singing traditional songs of praise and waving banners of solidarity. The event quickly turned into a festival of empowerment as Mrs. Mbah rolled out massive support packages that included food items, quality wrappers, cash grants, and other gift items, aimed at uplifting the economic well-being of the women of Owo and neighbouring communities.
In her heartwarming welcome address, Mrs. Rita Edeh, wife of the Executive Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government and the official host of the event, poured encomiums on the First Lady for her philanthropic and charitable interventions across Enugu State. She narrated how the plight of women in Enugu State had been dire before Mrs. Mbah’s purposeful and intentional programmes began to wipe away their tears. “With Her Excellency’s initiatives, women in Enugu State are now being empowered to dream and achieve. Before now, many women struggled silently, but today, their stories are changing,” Mrs. Edeh declared, drawing loud applause from the cheering crowd. She further celebrated the First Lady’s humility and approachability, noting that her character is a shining example to women in leadership. “Seeing the humility of Her Excellency always gives me reasons not to be full of myself because if someone of her calibre can be this approachable and accommodating, we all have no excuse to be proud,” she added. Mrs. Edeh also used the occasion to congratulate Mrs. Mbah for her recent triple award recognition and the N100 million prize she won for her exceptional humanitarian work, describing it as a “well-deserved honour for a woman who has become an icon of service and compassion in Enugu State and beyond.”
In her opening remark, the Enugu State Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Enih, hailed the First Lady for her tireless efforts in driving initiatives that prioritize women’s empowerment, child welfare, and social development. She described Mrs. Mbah as “a beacon of hope whose passion for uplifting the downtrodden has redefined what it means to be a First Lady.”
Taking the podium amidst thunderous ovation, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah expressed profound appreciation to the women of Owo and Nkanu East for their steadfast support for her husband’s administration. She said their overwhelming turnout and unwavering solidarity serve as proof that Enugu women are determined to be active partners in the ongoing transformation of the state. The First Lady took time to recognize key personalities in her team who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to execute her projects, especially during her trips outside the state. She singled out the the wife of Nkanu East Local Government Chairman, Mrs Rita Edeh (ALGON Chairperson), commending her for her responsiveness and dedication to women-focused initiatives, and also showered praises on all the Local Government Chairpersons’ wives across the state for their collaborative spirit. She reserved special appreciation for her Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Barr. Mrs. Egeonu, whom she described as “a dependable pillar who ensures that every proposal and programme conceived for the benefit of Enugu women is executed to perfection.” Mrs. Mbah reaffirmed her commitment to building a world where women are given the tools and opportunities to soar, pledging continued empowerment programmes, skill acquisition projects, and educational initiatives. She also expressed gratitude to her husband, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his unwavering support for her vision to uplift women and children across Enugu State.
In a show of unity and political solidarity, the women of Owo, through their various community representatives, pledged their continued support for Governor Peter Mbah’s administration and unanimously adopted him for a second tenure. They commended the Governor for his remarkable development strides in less than three years in office, citing unprecedented improvements in infrastructure, education, and economic growth.
The climax of the event was the distribution of empowerment items to the women, including foodstuffs, high-quality wrappers, and financial support to help small-scale entrepreneurs and families. The atmosphere was charged with joy as the beneficiaries danced and sang songs of appreciation to the First Lady, praying for the continued success of the Mbah administration. Women from Ndi Chi Mere Mma Ogere-Owo, Emene Owo, Amechi Idodo, and students from the Enugu Smart Green Schools, Owo campus, among others, turned out in their numbers, transforming the venue into a colourful display of Enugu’s rich cultural heritage.
The grand ceremony attracted an impressive array of personalities, including the wives of different local government chairmen in Enugu State, the PDP State Women Leader, Hon. Peace Nnaji; Member representing Awgu North Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Jane Eneh; Member representing Enugu South Rural Constituency, Hon. Ugwu Princess Obiajulu; the Wife of the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Ugwu; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, as well as several government officials, community leaders, and political stakeholders who came to show solidarity and celebrate the First Lady’s impactful visit.
The Owo visit once again underscored Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah’s enduring commitment to grassroots development, women empowerment, and her role as a compassionate First Lady whose actions continue to inspire hope and transformation across Enugu State.
