ASWAL: Celebrating 25 years of championing the welfare of Anambra women

Twenty-five years in the life of an entity – be it a person, an organization or a nation – is, no doubt, a milestone that calls for celebration. Popularly called silver jubilee, it is usually a time to roll out the drums, make merry and thank heavens for the successes and breakthroughs of a quarter century. But it is also an opportunity for introspection – a chance to take an inward look at how the celebrant has fared, a few things that were not done so well, make amends, and then march into the future with greater hope.

For the Anambra State Women Association Lagos (ASWAL), the umbrella association of all Anambra women town unions resident in Lagos, which marks 25 years of its existence this November, it is indeed celebration time.

Come November 21, therefore, all roads will lead to the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, venue of the silver jubilee celebration of ASWAL, which has in the last 25 years worked assiduously towards achieving a better life for Anambra women in Lagos. Among other things, the association has continued to empower ‎Anambra women in Lagos, economically and otherwise, through seminars, workshops, and seed capital.

ASWAL, an assembly of three representatives each of the 177 Anambra women town unions in Lagos, with a mission to champion the welfare of Anambra women resident in Lagos, is a testimony to the republican nature of the Igbo people, who always try to have a forum for social and cultural interaction and friendly coexistence wherever they find themselves. The association came into existence at a time when the present-day Enugu State and part of today’s Ebonyi State were still in Anambra State. But even after Enugu was carved out of Anambra State, the association has continued to grow from strength to strength, recording great successes in women empowerment.

Currently under the able leadership of Nkiruka Ifekwem (PhD), a lecturer, public analyst and gender activist, who hails from Utuh in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State – a tested and trusted women leader who, before she was elected president of ASWAL in June 2014, had served as the association’s coordinator of programmes for about 10 years – the association has continued to stride gallantly towards the attainment of its set objectives.

“There has been mentoring among the women and we have had trainings on parenting, health issues and even on political sensitization. We have also trained Anambra women on how to create a balance between their work and home as most of them are either career or business women,” Ifekwem says in an interview.

Under her leadership, there have also been efforts to restructure the association to make its meetings more orderly and interesting. Similarly, “Membership drive has been intensive as most lapsed towns have once again become active. We have continued with the yearly empowerment seminars and we also empowered indigent women ‎from each town with seed capital to start a business. Our economic empowerment programmes go a long way in alleviating poverty. Last December we collaborated with Anambra State women in the United States of America to have a cancer walk in Awka to sensitize the women on the ravaging disease. During the last election period we trained the women to be politically sensitized, vote any candidate of their choice wisely without being compromised and educate their sons and daughters against political thuggery,” she says.

It is in the spirit of these noble achievements that the association plans to celebrate its silver jubilee in a grand style come November 21 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.    

Speaking on some of the programmes outlined for the celebration, Ifekwem says that all Anambra women town unions in Lagos, numbering 177 with membership strength of over 7,000 women, are expected to bring their various cultural dances to perform at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

“There will be a cooking competition where Igbo traditional delicacies will be exhibited. Motivational talks will be delivered to empower women. Many corporate bodies are sponsoring this and they are coming with presents for the women,” she adds.

The grand occasion is expected to be graced by no less a person than the first lady of Anambra State, Ebelechukwu Obiano, who will be the chief host. Other key personalities expected at the event include the senators representing the three senatorial zones of Anambra State, two of whom, incidentally, are women – Senator Uche Ekwunife and Senator Stella Odua – and Senator Andy Uba.

Nnamdi Nwigwe (Odenjiji Nnokwa), vice chairman of the League of Anambra Professionals, will chair the occasion; Stella Okoli, chief executive officer of Emzor Pharmaceutical, and Christy Ray Okoli, chief executive officer, Rayne Oil & Gas, will be the special guests of honour; Virgy Onyene, a professor and deputy director, Quality Assurance at the University of Lagos, will be the mother of the day, while Vincent Obianodo, chief executive officer of The Young Shall Grow Motors, will be the father of the day.

Thereafter, ASWAL will next year hold an award ceremony to recognize and honour Anambra men and women and other Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour. Even though the association organizes this award ceremony every four years, which has actually encouraged the awardees to strive to greater heights, that of next year is a special silver jubilee edition.

As a women leader, Ifekwem advises women to try to maximize their potentials, be focused and deviate from all those stereotypes attached to women. “Women should note that no one can make you feel inferior without your permission. And to men, I say, ‘Women are not seeking equality but equity, please allow women to maximise their potentials’,” she says.

While she appreciates the great efforts of her co-workers, especially Adadiogo Oge Oguanobi (Eaglet), the event coordinator, she looks forward to greater successes and better lives for Anambra women as ASWAL steps into the next 25 years with renewed hope and as it continues to impact positively on the lives of Anambra women, both in Lagos and in the home state.

CHUKS OLUIGBO