Women in Anambra State have held an event in honour of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Rita Maduagwu. Why? Maduagwu is the third woman to hold that position in the state, and the women felt it called for celebration.
Two of the organisers of the event, Mrs. Helen Obi and Chief Mrs. Rose Nwankwo said: “Before now, two other women, Eucharia Asodo and Chinwe Nwaebili, had held this position of Speaker in the state and Maduagwu`s turn has made it three”.
“So, we have every right to thank God and celebrate the new Speaker because the women have come of age in Anambra State and it has shown that the affirmative action in Beijing, China is working in the state.
“We do not want to be the head, but to be by the side; before now, women were not meant to be seen or heard, but today, they are everywhere not only in this state but throughout the country with juicy positions.
“We are proud of our lawmakers in this state for finding the women worthy of leading their male colleagues and who are in turn happy with the leadership qualities of the ladies, we appreciate the support of our men folk in this state” the ladies told the Nation”.
Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and his wife, Ebelechukwu, were not around because of official engagements outside the country, but sent their representatives, Chief Law Chinwuba and Dr. Mrs. Uju Nwogu, commissioners for Works and Information, and Culture and Tourism, respectively.
The women were led by Lady Helen Obi, a lawyer, and Chief Mrs. Rose Nwankwo, a lecturer and one time chairman of State Primary Education Board (SPEB).
Virtually all the state lawmakers were in attendance with numerous state government functionaries, academics, businessmen, contractors among others in the all-night event.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Hayford Oseke seized the opportunity to douse tension on the alleged plans to impeach Governor Obiano.
Oseke said, “We do not know the word impeachment, we must support Willie Obiano to succeed and take the state to a higher level, and the state Assembly is the most peaceful in the country”.
“Whoever thinks about impeachment is out of his or her mind and it’s the figment of the person’s imagination. Willie is working and that is why the legislature is giving him all the full support.”
Maduagwu told The Nation that the rumour of impeachment was from the opposition, adding that no amount of speculation could lead the lawmakers to work against the administration of Obiano. She described the relationship between the two arms of government as very, very cordial.
The speaker further described the gesture of Anambra women as an embarrassment of love to her, adding that she lacked words to thank them.
Obiano’s representative, Law Chinwuba described the Speaker as an embodiment of excellence, a worthy mother and epitome of beauty and brains. (The Nation. Photo credit www.ndibe.org)
