UNIZIK Celebrates Women's Day in Grand Style, courtesy of Prof Ahaneku Medical Doctor wife

www.odogwublog.com fan reports that it was a remarkable and an epoch making event at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka today as the academic and non academic

female staff in the university led by the wife of the vice chancellor, Dr. Mrs. Gladys Ahaneku trooped out en masse to celebrate the NAU women’s day.

The event which was characterized by pomp and pageantry had the university auditorium filled to the brim with yet an intimidating crowd sitting outside to witness the beginning of the making of a great history. The occasion was graced by the principal officers of the institution led by the vice chancellor, Prof. Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku. 

In his address, the vice chancellor described the association as a step in the right direction. He urged the women to lead an exemplary life, modeling and shaping the characters of the students especially the female ones. Prof. Ahaneku while urging women to constantly demonstrate their capacities and competences in their various offices and not feel inferior or intimidated compelled his fellow men to always adore women, showing them respect at every opportunity. 

The guest lecturer at the event and senior lecturer from the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, Dr. Mrs. Edith Nwosu called on women to make genuine efforts towards the growth and development of the society by exploring the potentials within them. She further enjoined women to walk in the footprints of various women who have positive impact on humanity. 

Earlier in her address, Dr. Mrs. Ahaneku stated that the dream of organizing the event came out of the vision to have the women of the university realize and awaken the inert potential that God graciously deposited in them to move the university forward in a positive direction. According to her, the institution is making waves and developing new frontiers in all spheres of life and this could be attributed to the consistent and unreserved efforts of great and erudite scholars and administrators in the university. On the need for a women association in the university, the consultant physician said, “We made inquiries from other institutions and found that strong and vibrant university women association exists in some other institutions.” She further stated that the aim of the association is geared towards the transformation of the university community as well as a platform for the women working in the institution to interact and socialize. 

In her poetic rendition, a former head of department of Igbo, African and Asian Studies in the university, Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye reminded women to always stand up and protect what is theirs. She affirmed that there is dignity in being a woman. 

Speaking to this reporter, some of the women expressed their satisfaction at the re-institution of the women association in the university. They praised the wife of the vice chancellor for taking the bold step in making what had gone moribund for years a reality.

Mrs. Ify Obi, the station manager of Unizik 94.1fm showered encomiums on Dr. Mrs. Ahaneku describing her as a woman of humility, who has the passion to project and protect the interest of women in the university, describing the event as a step in the right direction.

By Franklin Onwubiko 
Photo depiction