TheCable

Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo (NNII), a discussion group and think-tank for Igbo women, is set to hold its third annual conference in Enugu state.

The theme of the conference which will hold between October 24 and October 25 is “Women: A unifying force in peacebuilding”.

According to a statement on Friday signed by Nnedinso Ogaziechi, the group’s national publicity secretary, the conference, is an opportunity for NNII “to intervene as Nigerian women who are worried over the lack of peace, security and unity not just in the region but in the whole country”.

“The group having watched the men try without success to address comprehensively the issues of insecurity in the country decided to intervene through this conference by inviting development specialists and other eminent Nigerians to point a torch to how women have in history and presently continue to broker peace in families, communities and even globally,” the statement reads.

“Development cannot happen if there is insecurity in any part of the nation. In global terms, women have won the Nobel Peace Prize a record 15 times! That is significant!

“Women thrive better when there is peace. They are the major victims when there are wars and conflicts.

“It is not surprising therefore that they are the most successful peacemakers in the world.

“Arms and ammunition and political brinkmanship do not broker peace. Dialogues do.

“So amidst the decades of insecurity that has affected the whole country and rendered more of the informal sector drivers of the economy poorer in their millions, Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo believes that it is time for Nigerian women to speak up and loudly too in partnership with our men.”

The statement said Regina Amadi-Njoku, a development specialist, who served as an assistant director general and regional director for Africa at the International Labour Organization (ILO) will deliver the keynote speech.

Priscilla Otti, first lady of Abia, will be the guest speaker. Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, obi of Onitsha, will be the royal father of the day while Bianca Ojukwu is expected as the mother of the day.

The group added that Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, will be the special guest of honour while Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, will be the host at the conference.