The Civil Defence Officers Wives Association, CDOWA, has formally kicked off in Ebonyi State. The Association was formally inaugurated in a colorful ceremony last Saturday (4/5/24) at the State Command’s annex, Abakaliki.
The Chief Registrar, High Court Judicial Headquarters, Abakaliki, Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha administered oath of Allegiance on the pioneer executives.
The new executives is headed by the wife of the State Commandant Dr Josephine Elijah Willie as Chairperson. Other members include the wife of the command’s 2/ic Mrs Ukeoma Cordelia as vice chairperson.
The secretary ,Mrs Judith Ekwutosi Ukpai, Mrs Nwachi Favour emerged the treasurer while Mrs Juliet Toochukwu as assistant secretary.
Also inaugurated was Onyishi Celestina Ifeoma as the financial secretary while the public Relations Officer went to Mrs Odimba Ojie Evelyn. The new provost was Igwe Flora Onyekachi even as Nwite Ifechinyere Asabe took charge of welfare.
Speaking during the occasion, the chairperson. Dr Josephine Elijah Willie expressed joy at the opportunity of bringing the women together to forge a common front to accord the necessary support to their husbands.She further charged the CDOWA Executive and members to assist and be supportive to their spouses.She was quoted to add:
“we’ll embark on programmes that will empower the less privileged members of our society. CDOWA is an association of women helping women and not to disrespect their husbands. Women are pillars and not caterpillars” she said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the State Commandant Dr Elijah Etim Willie counted it a privilege to be at the helm of affairs during the epoch making event. He observed that the inauguration would properly position the association to hit the ground running.
“CDOWA, ebonyi State would soon overtake others who are there before . I believe that if we put our acts together, the entire nation will hear from us soon,” commandant Willie said.
The occasion was also used to celebrate the birthday of the chairperson with cutting of anniversary cake and dance.
The occasion featured a seminar where the resource person, Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha harped on sanctity of African traditional marriage, rights of girl-child over inheritance and responsible parenthood.
Officers wives of the following Sister security agencies like Police, Immigration, Federal Road Safety and Nigeria Correctional Service were on hand to lend their support as well as the Sector Commander, federal Road Safety Corps, Henry Igwe, representing Commissioner of Police was AC Operations while representative of DSS and head of Admin, radio Nigeria graced the occasion.
The event equally had in attendance, the Honourable Commissioner of youths and Sports Ebonyi State. The Sector Commander FRSC chaired the ceremony with pastor Edeh was the mother of the Day. The ceremony was well attended with management staff, Area commanders, Divisional officer, officers and men of the Command.