In clear alignment with the ongoing 16-Day Activism Against Gender-Based Violence initiative championed by the wife of the Enugu State Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, Nkanu West Local Government Area has added its voice and action to the statewide campaign, reinforcing the collective resolve to end all forms of abuse against women and children.
Since flagging off the 16-Day Activism in Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah has consistently provided leadership, advocacy, and moral direction in the fight against gender-based violence, drawing attention to both conventional and emerging forms of abuse. Inspired by her vision and commitment, the wife of the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Council, Mrs. Ngozi Ogbodo, has taken the campaign to the grassroots, ensuring that the message of protection, awareness, and accountability resonates within local communities.
In furtherance of this objective, the Office of the Wife of the Executive Chairman, Nkanu West Local Government Area, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of Enugu State and Custos Care Foundation, on 15th December, 2025, organized a sensitization programme on Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with the theme, “Digital Violence Is Real Violence – There Is No Excuse for Online Abuse.” The programme was held at the Nkanu West Local Government Secretariat and attracted a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
Delivering her welcome address, Mrs. Ngozi Ogbodo anchored her remarks on the theme of the programme, drawing attention to the growing dangers posed by digital violence in an increasingly technology-driven society. She cautioned young girls to exercise restraint, wisdom, and responsibility in their online interactions, particularly in the type of content they share and the platforms they engage with. She emphasized that online abuse, cyberbullying, and digital harassment have far-reaching emotional and psychological consequences and must be taken seriously.
Mrs. Ogbodo expressed deep appreciation to Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, for initiating and sustaining the 16-Day Activism Against Gender-Based Violence across Enugu State, describing her leadership as a rallying point that has inspired local governments, including Nkanu West, to actively join the movement. She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting initiatives that promote the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women and children.
She further used the platform to express profound gratitude to His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, and his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, for their thoughtful decision to site a Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) in Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area. Mrs. Ogbodo described the initiative as a timely and lifesaving intervention that will ensure swift response, professional care, and justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. She noted that the presence of the centre in Nkanu West has strengthened the state’s capacity to respond promptly to reported cases of abuse against women and children from any part of Enugu State, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to protection, accountability, and compassionate governance.
In a show of compassion and practical support, Mrs. Ogbodo distributed school bags and other educational materials to students who participated in the programme. She also extended humanitarian assistance to women from the fourteen political wards of Nkanu West Local Government Area through the distribution of bags of rice, clothing materials, groundnut oil, and tomatoes, underscoring her dedication to both advocacy and social welfare.
The Wife of the Governor of Enugu State was formally represented at the event by her Special Senior Assistant on Special Duties, Barr. Mrs. Chidimma Egonu, who delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the First Lady. In her address, she commended the initiative of the Office of the Wife of the Chairman and reiterated the unwavering commitment of Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah to the eradication of all forms of gender-based violence, particularly digital and online abuse, which has become a silent but devastating threat.
Also speaking at the programme, the SSA to the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area on Women Affairs, Mrs. Victoria Ogbu, delivered an insightful presentation aligned with the theme. She urged parents and guardians to maintain constant supervision over their children, regardless of gender, stressing that parental guidance remains a critical safeguard against exposure to harmful digital content and online predators.
The Managing Director of Custos Care Foundation, Comrade Egodi Igwe, presented a comprehensive lecture on the realities of digital violence, highlighting cyberbullying, online harassment, and related abuses. He encouraged participants to adopt responsible digital practices and to promptly report cases of online misconduct to appropriate authorities.
The sensitization programme was attended by the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Hon. John Chukwuma Ogbodo, the Secretary to the Local Government, Barr. Onochie Igweshi, traditional rulers, Presidents-General, political appointees, women leaders, students, and other critical stakeholders drawn from across the local government area.
The event tagged digital violence is the real violence successfully deepened public understanding of gender-based violence, with a particular focus on digital abuse, while reinforcing the shared responsibility of families, communities, and government institutions in protecting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of women and children. Through this initiative, Nkanu West Local Government Area has clearly demonstrated solidarity with the Enugu State First Lady’s vision, lending its voice and action to a statewide call for a safer, more just society.
