The 38th Awka Diocesan Women’s Conference (ADWOC) concluded with a special thanksgiving service, highlighted by Archbishop Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim’s call for women to prepare their children for leadership and service.
The service, held at the Diocese of Awka and presided over by Archbishop Ibezim, marked the culmination of the conference, which also doubled as the second Mother’s Union Conference of the Diocese. The event was attended by top government officials, members of the Diocesan Council of Knights and their Ladies, the Nibo Anglican Community, friends of the church, conference delegates, and well-wishers.
In his sermon, Archbishop Ibezim emphasized the unique virtues of women, such as humility, endurance, and persistence, which equip them to nurture their children for future service. He underscored the importance of training children with a mindset of service, noting the honor and rewards that come with diligent service.
He also encouraged women to maintain a continuous prayer life, attributing the success of the women in the Diocese to their unwavering prayerfulness.
Dr. Mrs. Martha Ibezim, President of the Women’s Ministry, Province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka, expressed gratitude for the successful conference. She highlighted the theme’s call for steadfastness in God and urged women to evangelize the lessons learned at the conference within their communities.
Sir Chukwuemeka Orjiakor, a stakeholder in the Nibo Anglican community, echoed these sentiments, urging women to embody the lessons of the conference in their families and society.
During the conference, Ezinne Veronica Ekwueme was installed as the Unique Mother of the Year, and Lady Anulika Elunmuo as Profile Mother. Both expressed gratitude for the honors and encouraged other women to engage fully in service and evangelization.
Archbishop Ibezim also announced the preferment of Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Ajakor and Reverend Charles Udoku as Canons of the Cathedral.
The service featured various activities, including the cutting of the ADWOC 2024 cake, the unveiling of the Diocese’s Harvesters Newspaper, and special displays by the women. The four-day conference, themed “I will not let you go unless you bless me” from Genesis 32:26, concluded with plans for the 2025 ADWOC to be hosted by Immanuel Church, Adazi-Enu.
