From Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
As part of activities to mark the World International Women’s Day Celebration, the Office of the Women Leader, All Progressives Grand Alliance has held its 2026 Anambra Women Summit aimed at encouraging, sensitizing and appreciating women as role models in the society.
The event filled with over one thousand women present across the 21 local government areas took place at the APGA Regiona Office, Awka, on friday 6th March 2026 with the theme; “Empower Her: Elevate All”.
Wife of the Anambra State, Governor Dr. Nonye Soludo, in her speech, stated that empowering women is key to building stronger families and communities.
Mrs. Soludo described women as intelligent, hardworking, and natural problem solvers, urging them to continue contributing positively to their families and communities. She advised women to balance family responsibilities with their businesses and careers while also paying attention to their health by eating well, exercising regularly, and protecting their mental health.
She further noted that empowering women benefits the entire family since the income generated by women is often used to support household needs.
Speaking at her opening remark, the Convener, APGA State Women Leader, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, while appreciating women for their wonderful roles in the society, emphasized the importance of empowering women for the growth of society.
She stated that the programme was aimed at supporting widows, non-indigenes, and other women who were randomly selected across wards for the first phase of the empowerment programme. She advised the women to always be supportive and propagate good morals, especially in the home and wherever they see themselves.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Emmanuel Nwachukwu, commended the APGA State Women Leader for organising the summit. He explained that women have historically fought for important rights, including voting, education, and participation in the workforce, adding that their involvement in politics has significantly improved governance.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Barr. Oli Prince Chukwudi urged women to remain hopeful and peaceful while supporting one another. Eze Obafia maintained that women remain the foundation of the family and society, adding that discussions from the summit would help create an enabling environment for the advancement of women.
Former APGA Senatorial candidate, Chief Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo (Seahorse) advised men to stop blaming women for their misfortune. “When a man is not well prepared financilally to get married after one or two years into the marriage if his business crumbles he would blame the woman instead of blaming himself not failing to plan well.”
Dr. Onukwo also informed the women about the X and Y chromosomes that determine the sex of a baby. “To produce a male baby, a man must give his Y chromosome to fertilize the X chromosome in a woman. A woman has two X chromosomes while a man has one Y and one X chromosomes. Therefore, if a man fails to release the Y chromosome to the woman, there won’t be any male child, but a female and a woman should not be blame”.
Dr Onukwo, meanwhile, donated five million to APGA state Office, seven million to the seven local government area in Anambra South, and two million eight hundred thousand to other women from the central and north zones
However, in a keenly contested march past by women from the 21 local government areas, Ogbaru Local Government Area emerged first position, Awka North came second while Idemili North took third position.
Other highlights include the presentation of grinding and sewing machines to selected women by Mrs. Soludo as well as lectures delivered by the Rector of Anambra State Polytechnic, Dr. Njideka Chiekezie.
Some of the dignitaries present were the member representing Onitsha North I Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Barr. Mimi Azikiwe, state excos and former political office holders.
