This was the crux of matters at the Annual General Meeting of Awka Development Union, Women Wing, held at the Emmaus House, Awka.

The programme, which has its theme as 'Dwelling together for harmony, blessings and progress', saw women from the thirty-three villages that make up the community, including branch presidents and executives, converge to brainstorm on how to get things right in their families, villages, and Awka in totality. They were also exposed to a series of scriptural references and prayers by Pastor Emeka Ezenwa, who led them through many aspects of being the salt of the nation as women, and a prayer session to be spiritually alert to defeat the challenges of Satan.

Members of the Ozo Awka Society paid homage to them, including other notable members of the Awka community, to encourage and plead with the women as the pillars of society to look inwards in addressing the challenges and social ills being experienced in today's society.

Addressing the gathering, the Member Representing Awka North and South in the House of Representatives, Professor Oby Orogbu, said gone are the days when women are relegated to the back, and that they should stand strong, occupy their rightful position in society, be part of the nation's decision-making, and support their fellow women so as to have a voice in the political circle.

In an address of welcome, the newly elected Women President General of ADUN, Mrs. Mma Okafor, asked the women to remain dependable partners in community development by promoting environmental cleanliness, supporting education, encouraging healthy living, empowering women economically, mentoring young women, protecting their cultural values, and contributing to the peace and development of Awka Kingdom.

In an interview with ABS News, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Onyekesi, who spoke through the Director of Women Affairs in the ministry, Mrs. Bernice Uchendu, hailed the peaceful atmosphere witnessed on ground and called on them to support all government moves in empowering women and the girl child. She also advised them to go back to the days of yore when mothers groomed their wards to become good ambassadors of society.

On her part, the immediate past Women President General of ADUN, Barrister Oge Ekweozor, called for collective efforts to promote the vision and mission of ADUN Women Wing, even as she clamoured for unity, togetherness, oneness, and love amongst them, noting that with these they can achieve a lot.

Lending their voices, some Awka sons, Mr. Igwedinma Nwofor and Barrister Obinna Oguguo, commended the women for coming together to achieve a common goal, which is development, progress, and unity in Awka. They also pleaded with them to look inwards and know what to do to ensure that there is sanity and peace in Awka in totality.