The Women’s Wing of the Obuohia Obi-Ibere Development Union has celebrated its 32nd Annual August Meeting with the unveiling of a renovated Women’s Hall and a showcase of development projects undertaken across the community.
The 2026 celebration, held at the Community School Field, Obuohia Obi-Ibere in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, attracted government officials, political leaders, clergy, traditional and community leaders, women groups and other stakeholders.
Among the dignitaries at the event was former member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sam Onuigbo.
The renovated Women’s Hall, executed by the women as part of activities marking the annual conference, is expected to provide a functional centre for meetings, skills acquisition programmes and other community development initiatives.
Speaking at the occasion, outgoing National President of the Women’s Wing, Dame Princess Onuigbo, said her administration came into office with a vision to rebuild, empower and elevate the community through collective action.
She attributed the achievements recorded during her tenure to the commitment and financial support of members, alongside collaboration with illustrious sons and daughters of Obuohia Obi-Ibere at home and in the diaspora.
According to her, the women facilitated or supported several projects, including the renovation of the Women’s Hall, provision of a borehole, market support, rehabilitation and functionalisation of the community health centre, rural electrification through transformers and solar panels, road grading, erosion-control initiatives and installation of agro-processing equipment.
She said the union also invested in education and youth development through the payment of WAEC fees for some students, renovation of dilapidated classroom blocks and provision of instructional materials.
Dame Onuigbo further listed the successful registration of the union at the local government and state levels, establishment of security task forces and vigilante groups, peace and conflict-resolution initiatives, growth in financial reserves and expansion of the organisation’s membership among the achievements of her administration.
Reflecting on her years in office, she said the journey was not without challenges, pointing to economic difficulties, the COVID-19 pandemic, internal disagreements and periods of limited resources.
She, however, said those challenges strengthened the resolve of the women to work together for the progress of their community.
The outgoing president said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Silent Strength, Rising Hope – Women Raising the Next Generation of Community Builders with Courage in a Troubled World,” reflected the resilience, courage and determination of women in building stronger communities.
She also stressed that community development should transcend partisan political considerations.
Dame Onuigbo commended Governor Alex Otti for his administration’s interventions in infrastructure and healthcare across Abia State.
In his goodwill message, former federal lawmaker Hon. Sam Onuigbo commended the women for sustaining the August Meeting tradition and transforming the annual gathering into a platform for tangible community development.
He praised Dame Princess Onuigbo for what he described as her dedication and contributions to Obuohia Obi-Ibere during her years of leadership.
Onuigbo also called for support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while commending Governor Alex Otti for the infrastructural developments being recorded in Abia State.
The National President of the Men’s Wing of the Obuohia Obi-Ibere Development Union, Chinadozi Atuma Uzuegbu, represented by National Vice President Mr. Ikechi Sigismund Mpamah, also congratulated the women on the successful celebration.
He highlighted efforts by the Men’s Wing in areas including community security, infrastructure, electricity, education, financial reforms, environmental sanitation and promotion of peace and unity.
Governor Alex Otti, in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, congratulated the women and applauded their contributions to grassroots development.
Otti described the annual August Meeting as an important platform through which women have continued to make meaningful contributions to the development of communities across the state.
He said the Obuohia Obi-Ibere women had demonstrated that August Meetings could go beyond social gatherings to become vehicles for initiating and executing projects that directly improve people’s lives.
The Governor highlighted his administration’s interventions in healthcare, education and agriculture, noting that the construction and renovation of health facilities remained important to efforts aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality.
He equally urged the women and the wider community to prioritise peace and unity, stressing that sustainable development thrives where people work together.
Speaking further in an interview, the Governor’s representative encouraged women in other communities to emulate the Obuohia Obi-Ibere Women’s Wing by using their annual August Meetings to identify needs and undertake meaningful development initiatives.
He also commended Dame Princess Onuigbo for her years of service and leadership of the Women’s Wing.
Giving a historical perspective, Dame Onuigbo recalled that the Women’s Wing was revived more than two decades ago through the efforts of prominent sons of the community led by Elder Akobundu Oriaku and others at Mbaraobom, Obuohia-Ibere.
She said the initiative was founded on the principles of peace, development and progress.
According to her, she served as National Coordinator for 11 years before subsequently becoming president, a position she held for the past decade.
As she prepares to leave office, Dame Onuigbo said she was departing with a sense of fulfilment, describing her years of service as a journey defined by sacrifice, collaboration, resilience and community impact.
The 32nd Annual August Meeting also featured cultural displays, march-past, games, news casting, presentation of awards and distribution of food items to women, among other activities.
The unveiling of the renovated Women’s Hall formed one of the major highlights of the celebration, reinforcing the theme of women-led grassroots development in Obuohia Obi-Ibere.
