By Nkechinyere Ewa
Women leaders in Ebonyi State have called for greater political representation and appointments for women, saying they have the population, resilience and capacity to contribute more meaningfully to governance.
The women made the call during the 2026 August Meeting grand finale in the state on Wednesday, organised around the theme of the resilient woman, where they also commended Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for what they described as his efforts to promote women in governance.
The Commissioner for Budget, Planning, Research and Management, Chief Mrs Deborah Chinwe Okah, said the theme of the meeting reflected the strength, resilience and determination of Ebonyi women to succeed despite challenges.
Okah said women had historically played critical roles in the economic development of the state, particularly in agriculture and food production.
According to her, the resilience of Ebonyi women did not begin today, as women had over the years contributed to farming, production and the survival of their families and communities.
She described Governor Nwifuru’s wife, Chief Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, as an example of a resilient woman, adding that women remained important stakeholders in the state’s development.
Okah said women would continue to support the administration, including through their participation in the electoral process.
“We women, we have already gotten our tools. If you don’t have your farm tools, you are wasting time in your farm. And what is our tool? Our PVC,” she said.
She maintained that women constituted a significant proportion of the electorate and could determine electoral outcomes if they voted collectively.
Okah also advocated greater participation of women in elective positions, including the State House of Assembly, National Assembly and other levels of government.
She urged women aspiring to leadership positions to equip themselves through education and continuous self-development.
“A woman who wants to succeed must be in line and in trend with the happenings of the world. If you are not educated, you are highly unacceptable. Education is the key,” she said.
A former Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Mrs Chinyere Nwanoke, said the August Meeting had become a state event during her tenure as commissioner, describing the theme of the 2026 celebration as timely.
Nwanoke said a resilient woman was one who possessed courage, accepted responsibility and remained determined to rise after setbacks.
She urged women not to allow their present level of political representation to discourage them, but to strategise and work towards securing more elective positions.
“The fact that they have been relegated does not mean that tomorrow does not have a bright future for them,” she said.
Nwanoke encouraged women already occupying positions of influence to use such opportunities to make meaningful contributions to their families, communities and the state.
Another speaker, Professor Adaeze Nwuzor, called for greater recognition of women’s contributions to political, economic and social development.
She commended Governor Nwifuru for appointing women as vice-chairmen and secretaries at the local government level, saying the development showed that women were increasingly being considered in governance.
However, she appealed for more opportunities for women to contest for and occupy elective positions, including councillorship, the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship.
She argued that women had demonstrated strong managerial abilities and should be given opportunities to lead at the highest levels.
The women also expressed support for the continuation of the Nwifuru administration, with Okah saying women were prepared to mobilise their voting strength for the governor’s second-term bid.
She further expressed optimism that women would secure more political appointments and elective positions in subsequent political cycles.
The calls formed part of the broader message of the 2026 August Meeting, which emphasised women’s resilience, empowerment, political participation and their contribution to the development of Ebonyi State.