A former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo, on Sunday, August 11, 2024, hailed the annual community meetings organised by women from the South East region of the country.
Onuigbo said August meeting is not a mere social gathering for communities that understand its significance, but an opportunity for women to bring their ideas together to develop their communities.
The meeting, popularly referred to as August Meeting is a massive homecoming whereby Igbo women in the diaspora and the cities travel back to their matrimonial villages to meet with their local counterparts.
At these meetings, the women discuss matters that could bring about development in their communities, resolve various conflicts and engage in
human development, socio-economic and cultural initiatives.
However, speaking to journalists after the 39th August Meeting of Olokoro Clan Development Union Women Federated (OCDUWF) in Abia, Onuigbo urged the women to remain thorough and genuine in building their communities.
He also received an award of Ezi Enyi (Good Friend) of Uvoma for his contributions and commitments to education, infrastructure, and empowerment in Olokoro community and Abia in general.
He expressed gratitude to the women for choosing him among the few people to be awarded.
In her address, the President-general of OCDUWF, Oluchi Otu, said the conference was an avenue to recognise some individuals for their positive contributions to the community and society, as well as fundraising.
Mrs Otu added that the meeting provided an opportunity for women both at home and abroad to come together and address some contemporary issues affecting the development of the clan.