Five women bag Nigerwives awards

A German, who is married to a Nigerian, Mrs Hildegard Maria Ebigbo and four other women who distinguished themselves in various fields that include medicine, law, politics, humanitarian have been given awards by Nigerwives Enugu.

The other awardees include Justice Ngozi Emehelu, Princess Peace Nnaji, Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr Nkiru Kizor-Akaraiwe, and Prof Joy Ezeilo.

At the gala and award event, Mrs Ebigbo bagged a humanitarian Service award. Mrs Ebigbo founded the Therapeutic Day Care Centre in Abakpa Nike, Enugu in 1979 and has nurtured its development from humble beginnings to an internationally known model of inclusive education for children with special needs.

The recently retired Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Ngozi Emehelu was awarded for her excellent leadership in building up the Enugu State judiciary through the appointment of a record 15 new judges and renovation/construction of court infrastructure throughout the State.

Princess Peace Nnaji, the Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development was honoured for her long-time public service and example of political involvement.

Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr Nkiru Kizor-Akaraiwe was recognized for professional excellence in the field of Ophthalmology, for developing quality eye care facilities at the ESUT Teaching Hospital and her private hospital, The Eye Specialist Hospital (TESH), as well as her outreach activities aimed at eradicating blindness due to glaucoma.

Prof. Joy Ezeilo, a law professor at the University of Nigeria, was given an award for her prominent role in the crusade for human rights, with special reference to fighting human trafficking and sexual abuse and ensuring the observation of legal rights within the justice system.

The group also unveiled its new International Cookbook and the presentation.

The President of Nigerwives Enugu, Ransey Nwankwo explained that the group is a part of a national association made up of foreign women married to Nigerian men and residents in Nigeria.

She stressed that the diversity of the branch was evident in a grand procession of Nigerwives carrying flags of 24 home countries from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.

The national association was founded in 1979 with the primary objective of helping foreign wives integrate into Nigerian society and providing a support group for members in their new homes.

According to her, other objectives include working for a just and consistent legal status for Nigerwives and enhanced conditions for all women in the society and establishing or assisting in social projects of benefit to the community, especially its less advantaged members.

Speaking on the significance of the group’s work, the immediate past Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, reminisced about the delicious variety of dishes he experienced growing up in his multicultural home and community at the University of Nigeria and the continuing joys of shared meals with family and friends everywhere.