,,, Urges Nigerians To Support Women, Protect Their Rights
The Nigerian public has been urged to stop at nothing in ensuring that women and girls are given maximum support and encouragement to enable them fulfill their God given talents and aspirations in life.
President, Catholic Women Organisation, CWO, Saint Monica Catholic Church, Maza-Maza, Amuwo, Lagos , Barrister Mrs. Uche Rosemary Ekwubisi made the call at the induction of over one hundred women as members of the association.
Delivering her address, Mrs. Ekwubisi said women could contribute quite a lot to their families and towards attaining nation building, if encouraged and supported in their endeavours.
She therefore thanked the large number of people especially men that turned out for the to support women at the induction.
According to her ” These noble inductees tagged SHINING STARS OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER MARY” will no doubt inculcate more Catholic values to their diverse families, the church and our society at large.
” I humbly appreciate their individual families for giving each one of the inductees the enabling ground to be a core CATHOLIC WOMAN.
“This shows the willingness most families to support women and the girl child in the enjoyment of their fundamental and constitutional rights to association and education which in effect, enhances the value and dignity of women, especially Catholic women”, she said.
CWO is the umbrella body of all women who have been fully indoctrinated into the Catholic Church. New members are inducted into the association at intervals. That of St. Monica Catholic Church came after four years that the last induction was held.
The parish CEO president, Mrs. Ekwubisi who is a veteran lawyer, described the occasion as the attainment of major milestone for the inductees, as she enjoined them to appreciate the honour and work hard to prove their worth to their respective families and society at large.
She specially appreciated the Parish Priest and his pastoral team as well as all others that contributed in making the occasion a reality.
She said, ” May I cease this privilege to ask you our distinguished guests to join me in appreciating our ever supportive Parish Priest-Very Rev. Fr. Unachukwu, CM and our beloved Associate Priest; Rev. Fr. John Paul Ezike CM for their unrelenting efforts in adding both material and spiritual values to the growth and comfort of our dear organisation. Same I will extend to our our Rev. Fr. Kingsley Agada,CM for being there for us too”.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Onyeka Ekwulugo commended the inductees for taking the bold step of joining the CWO ,urging them to leverage the platform to enhance their leadership skills and productivity.
He said, “I commend all the inductees, for being selected to be a part of this big family. CWO in her magnanimity is grounded in leadership, service to God and humanity. Therefore, all of you embody these philosophies. You all have proven to be outstanding mothers, who have prospects of being great leaders of tomorrow.
“I am rest assured that this journey will be filled with opportunities for challenges, learning and growth. You will expand your worldwide view through your service to the church and community.
“You will learn to lead and equally do great things. You should never forget at large that whom much is given, much is expected”, he added.
About fifty women who have excelled in various fields of endeavours were recognised and awarded. Also, couples that have impacted humanity positively as well as those that have maintained healthy relationship with each other were awarded to serve as encouragement to others.
The occasion was attended by dignitaries in and outside Lagos State, including the Acting President , Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria , Lagos Archdiocese( CWONLA) Lady Catherine Alabi; CWO Festac Deanery Coordinator, Mrs. Bernadine Ifeoma Eloka and the host Priest , Rev. Fr. Charles Andy Unachukwu, CM.
