Igbo women, home and diaspora to hold summit in Nigeria

August is here again, a very important month in the life of every Igbo man, particularly the womenfolk. It is the month that is officially recognized in Igbo land for the annual return of Igbo women from cities in Nigeria and from the  Diaspora; a period they gather to lend helping hands in developing the rural communities by embarking in one project or the other, including provision of healthcare outreaches and enlightenments in relevant aspects of lives.

August Meeting is what every woman in every Igbo community looks forward to every year. It was originally geared towards rural community development but in recent times, it has also delved into conflict management, peacebuilding and human development and even politics.

However, the outbreak of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic has impacted negatively on this year’s programmes. In spite of that, the women are determined to go ahead, even on  a low scale no matter how little  impact they will make on the rural women.

According to a prominent woman leader, the COVID-19 period has even provided the women with a novel area to educate the rural women; that is, giving them talks on COVID-19 as information on it emerges.

But the women and some offices of the wives of the governors that usually coordinate the meeting agrees that there would be a lot of moderation and loss of the usual fanfare in the rural areas. Already, some people have fixed dates for the meetings.

In Abia State, for example, the meeting will hold very soon.

It will be a virtual meeting. There will be no usual community activities such as exhibition of products from the rural women and other fanfare.

According to the Press Secretary to the wife of Abia State, Chika Ojiegbe, the 2020 edition of the Abia Women August Delegates Conference, AWADEC, organized annually by the First lady of Abia State, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu will hold on Thursday 6th of August 2020. Meanwhile, all convid-19 rules will be strictly observed.