How NRCRI marked 2025 International Women’s Day

The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) in Umudike, Abia State, on March 11, 2025, marked its 2025 International Women’s Day, acknowledging that women’s unwavering dedication, resilience, and innovative spirit have been the driving force behind its sustained success and progress.

While declaring the event open, the NRCRI Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Professor Chiedozie Egesi, in his address delivered by Dr. Adeyemi Olojede, the Director of Root Crops Research and Grant Management, described the event as a testament to women’s strength, brilliance, and limitless potential.

He added that by breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, women paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable future, saying that their achievements inspire and remind us of the immense potential that lies in empowering women.

Professor Chiedozie Egesi said, “As we commemorate this 2025 IWD with the theme ‘Accelerate Action,’ we reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment where every woman and girl can thrive, achieve their dreams, and contribute meaningfully to society, so that together, we can build a world where gender equality is not just a goal but a reality.”

During the event, discussions emphasized the need for gender equality and the challenges women face, including sexual harassment, denial of inheritance rights from parents and husbands, and exclusion from certain public positions.

However, speakers also lamented that, at times, women themselves were partly or fully responsible for their stalled progress in politics and society when they failed to unite on key issues where collective action was needed.

Some top staff members made individual remarks on the 2025 IWD and its theme, “Accelerate Action.”

The Director of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME), Dr. Tessy Madu, who is also the Gender Focal Point, stated that the event recognized the progress made towards gender equality, the work still to be done, and the commitment to creating a workplace where all women feel valued, empowered, and supported in their careers.

She said, “NRCRI today celebrates women, honors their strength, resilience, and determination, and acknowledges their invaluable, passionate, intelligent, and excellent contributions to our Institute. We must continue to work together to achieve gender equality and empower women in all aspects of life.”

The Director of Administration, Mrs. Maryrose Mbanaso, encouraged women everywhere to raise their voices, strive for excellence in their endeavors, and leverage every opportunity to support and uplift one another, as well as collaborate to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes.

Also speaking, the Director of the Tuber Crops Department, Dr. Charles Amadi, emphasized the need for women not to underestimate their capabilities or settle for less, stating that they can rise to the top of their careers through determination and hard work.

Similarly, the Director of Peri-Urban Agriculture, Dr. Helen Anyaegbunam, opined that achieving gender equality requires deliberate, strategic, and swift efforts to implement articulated policies. She stated that accelerating action also implies taking bold steps to close gender disparity gaps across all sectors, with the government taking the lead.

According to her, under the leadership of Professor Egesi, NRCRI has witnessed increased female representation at the Director, Assistant Director, Coordinator, and Unit Head levels, including the sponsorship of many female scientists to both local and international conferences and workshops.

Dr. Benjamin Okoye, Assistant Director/Coordinator of the Extension Services Programme, called for women’s empowerment through knowledge and skills that enable them to navigate and thrive in the agricultural landscape. He reiterated the need to accelerate actions that address barriers women face, including enacting policies and creating an enabling environment to grant women more access to resources due to their crucial role in achieving food security, poverty alleviation, and wealth creation.

According to Dr. Mercy Ejechi, Head of the Gender and Agriculture Unit, the event also aimed to reflect on progress made and recognize the urgency of addressing emerging challenges such as climate change and digital disparities. She added that the NRCRI Gender and Implementation Unit is dedicated to bridging these gaps through research, innovation, and community-driven initiatives.

High points of the event, held at the NRCRI Library Complex, included talks on legal rights, health, and farming by professionals, panel discussions, drama presentations, and motivational success stories from three outstanding women.

The three women especially honored were Dr. Angela Ifeancho, who earned a doctorate, taught at both secondary and tertiary institutions, and retired honorably from the Abia State public service. Mrs. Daniella Atulegwu, who, after struggling with unemployment post-graduation, established ‘Concise Cakes’ and turned it into a thriving business. Mrs. Chinonso Onwuka, an engineer, who founded ‘Natural Skin Care,’ a company that produces high-quality skincare products.