ANAMBRA NFWP-SU TAKES COMMUNITY ENTRY CAMPAIGN TO IGBO-UKWU, RECRUITS WARD FACILITATORS
By Chinyere Ogbuagu/Ukpa Ewa
The Anambra State Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) has intensified its grassroots mobilization with the commencement of community entry activities in Igbo-Ukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, of Anambra State with sensitisation and recruitment of Ward Facilitators.
The sensitization exercise, held at the Igbo-Ukwu Development Union Town Hall, Amaehulu, Obiuno Village on June 30, attracted women from Wards 1 and 2, community leaders, youth representatives and other stakeholders.
Addressing the participants, the State Project Coordinator, Ms. Hope Okoye, commended the impressive turnout of participants and encouraged women to seize the opportunity created by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to improve their economic status.
She explained that the programme integrates livelihood support with interventions in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), environmental sustainability and women’s empowerment through the formation of Women Affinity Groups (WAGs).
According to her, the project targets at least 5,000 beneficiaries from Igbo-Ukwu Community.
Ms. Okoye further disclosed that following the community entry exercise, the project would commence Key Informant Interviews (KII), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), stakeholder engagements involving men and youths, as well as the identification of community project champions, adding that Ward Facilitators would be recruited from within the community to ensure effective coordination and sustainability of the programme.
Speaking during the programme, the Senior Technical Adviser for NFWP-SU, Mr. Chinedu Nwakor, explained that the project is designed to improve the socio-economic well-being of women through savings, financial inclusion and livelihood enhancement. He noted that women who engaged in farming, trading, fashion designing and other income-generating activities stand to benefit from the initiative.
”There is no discrimination in this project. Whether you are of any religion or belong to any political party or ward, every eligible woman has the opportunity to participate,” he said.
In her remarks, the Community Women Leader, Mrs. Kate Okenu, expressed gratitude to the Anambra State Government for extending the programme to Igbo-Ukwu. She described women as the backbone of many families and revealed that the community had already begun awareness campaigns and formed some Women Affinity Groups ahead of the sensitization exercise.
Mrs. Okenu urged women aged 18 years and above to enroll in the programme, noting that many women in the community are farmers, traders and small-scale entrepreneurs who would greatly benefit from the initiative. She also commended the state government for prioritizing women’s economic empowerment and improved livelihoods.
Also speaking, an indigene of Igbo-Ukwu and staff of the Igbo-Ukwu Development Union, Mr. Stanley Azike, applauded the state government for bringing the programme to the community. He described the initiative as a timely intervention that would strengthen women’s businesses, improve household incomes and contribute to community development.
The event also featured sensitization on gender-based violence, as well as the screening and interview of prospective Ward Facilitators.
Chinyere Ogbuagu and Ukpa Ewa are of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State