Women have reiterated their commitment to contributing to national development while calling for greater gender equity in society, insisting that their quest for inclusion should not be misconstrued as rivalry with men. The position was expressed at the maiden International Women's Conference of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, where participants stressed the need for women to continue deploying their talents and potential positively in the service of the nation.
Summit Theme and Participants
The one-day summit, themed “Women as Catalysts for Institutional Growth, Community Development, Innovation and Sustainable Development,” featured lectures, panel discussions, goodwill messages and interactive sessions on contemporary challenges facing women. Participants, drawn from communities, academia, various professions and occupations, as well as rural areas, underscored the critical role of women in driving sustainable development and nation-building.
Director's Remarks
Director of the University's Centre for Gender, Youth and Child Development, Professor Ifeoma Onwuka, described the summit and its theme as a timely reminder of the vital role women play in advancing institutions, strengthening communities, driving innovation and promoting sustainable development. Notably, the maiden summit came barely months after the emergence of the university's first female and seventh Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, in March 2026.
Vice-Chancellor's Address
In her remarks, Akanwa described the conference theme as both timely and compelling, noting that women across the globe continue to make remarkable contributions to education, research, governance, entrepreneurship, agriculture, healthcare, community leadership and family development. According to her, women have extended their influence beyond the home and workplace to the transformation of communities, institutions and nations. She commended women as the bedrock of society and acknowledged their indispensable contributions to institutional growth, community advancement and national development. “Women have, through resilience, dedication and commitment, made remarkable contributions to institutional growth, community advancement and societal progress,” she said. The Vice-Chancellor further argued that sustainable development can only be achieved when all stakeholders are given equal opportunities to contribute their voices, experiences and perspectives to national growth. She urged women to continue supporting one another through mentorship, strategic networking and capacity building while creating pathways that would enable younger generations to realise their full potential.
Goodwill Messages
In her goodwill message, the Gender Focal Lead at the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Dr. Tessy Madu, said women have consistently demonstrated their capacity to drive institutional growth, innovation, community development and sustainability. She predicted that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, 5 and 13 would remain unattainable without the active participation of women. “Women are custodians of biodiversity, food systems and climate adaptation,” she said, calling for a shift from gender-blind to gender-intentional policies and greater investment in women-led science. According to her, the returns on such investments would be exponential.
Also speaking, the Provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, Professor Idowu Eluwa, called for renewed commitment to creating inclusive environments that provide equal opportunities for women to thrive and maximise their potential.
Keynote Lecture
Delivering the keynote lecture on the summit theme, Professor of Biochemistry, Professor Irene Ifeoma Ijeh, noted that women often identify challenges overlooked by men, particularly in healthcare, nutrition, family welfare and environmental sustainability. She recommended increased recruitment of women into senior positions and the creation of supportive environments that would enable younger women, especially those of childbearing age, to thrive. “When women thrive, institutions grow, communities flourish, innovation accelerates and sustainable development becomes achievable,” she stated.
Professional Etiquette Session
A former Registrar of MOUAU, Dr. (Mrs.) Jacinta Ogwo-Agu, who spoke on “Professional Etiquette and Workplace Excellence for Female University Staff: A Catalyst for Institutional Growth,” argued that professional etiquette and workplace excellence are essential for female staff to perform effectively, build positive relationships and contribute meaningfully to institutional development. She identified appropriate dressing, workplace behaviour, effective communication, positive work attitude, punctuality, ethical conduct, interpersonal relationships, work ethics and personal responsibility as key attributes for professional success.
Chairperson's Remarks
Chairperson of the summit, Mrs. Becky Ngozi Onyekwue of Zenith Bank, observed that organisations thrive when women are empowered to contribute their talents, ideas and leadership. She, however, stressed that achieving excellence requires deliberate effort, urging women to invest continuously in personal development, professional competence, financial literacy, mentorship and lifelong learning.
