Int’l Women’s Day: NAWOJ Set to Honor Akunyili, Etiaba, Okunna, others in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

Nigeria Association of Journalists (NAWOJ) Anambra State Chapter will on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 honor former Minister of Information and former Director General, NAFDAC, Prof Dora Akunyili and first Anambra Female Minister, Hon Ada Adogu at the forthcoming International Women’s Day Celebration.

The Chairperson, Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika who disclosed this during a press briefing said first female governor in Nigeria, Dame Dr Virgy Etiaba, first female Prof. of Mass Communication sub-saharan Africa, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna would also be recognized during the event.

She said the awards were in recognition of the various roles played by the women, including coming tops in seemingly male dominated world to inspire the teeming young Anambra Women aspiring to hold their own in the same spheres.

She called on people of the state to come out en-mass and behold their women who have achieved a lot targeted at spuring Anambra Women to accelerate action on the drive to attain gender equality.

She said, “We are pleased to inform Ndi Anambra of our forthcoming International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration slated for Wednesday 19th March 2025 @ Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center.

“Every 8th March has been set aside to celebrate women the world all over by the United Nations with the year’s theme; Accelerate action on gender equality with a sub-theme – projecting Anambra Female Achievers (yesterday, today and tomorrow) by NAWOJ.

“In this year’s celebration, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) will on Wednesday showcase and give award of recognition to Anambra women who in their various endeavors have carved out a niche for themselves and come tops in a seemingly male dominated world to inspire the teeming young Anambra Women aspiring to hold their own in the same spheres.

“The recognition will come in three categories: Anambra female Achievers-The legend and living legend category (the likes of Prof. Dora Akunyili, Hon Ada Adogu first Anambra Female Minister of the federal republic of Nigeria, dame Dr Virgy Etiaba, first female governor in Nigeria, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, first female Prof. of Mass Communication sub-saharan Africa…)

“The Anambra Female Achiever category with likes of the First Lady, the wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Solido, Sen. Margrey Chuba-Okadigbo, Prof Oby Lilian Orogbu, Dr Flora Ilonzo, Dr. Kanayo Chukwurah, Dr Justina Anyadiegwu, Dr Rita Njideka Chikezie…

“The third category is the Anambra Upcoming Female Achievers with the likes of Mrs Ijeoma Ezeasor and Ms Chinwe Okoli.

“We are using this medium to call on Ndi Anambra to come out in their numbers and behold their women who in every sense of the word achievement have made it and will help to spur Anambra Women to accelerate action on the drive to attain gender equality in terms of giving equal opportunities to everyone irrespective of gender which in turn will eradicate gender biases, barrier and stereotypes.”