SICKLE CELL: MRS. IKPEAZU BAGS ANOTHER AWARD FROM THE GUILD OF MEDICAL LABORATORY DIRECTORS OF NIGERIA.

The wife of the Governor of Abia State and the founder of Vicar Hope Foundation, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, has been recognized by the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors, on their 22nd annual conference and AGM Abia 2020.

Presenting the award, the president of the association, Mrs. Chioma Austin Onuorah, disclosed that the award  is in recognition of Mrs Ikpeazu's commitment to humanity in care of persons affected by sickle cell disease, using her vicar Hope Foundation. According to her, the inspirational endeavors of Abia first lady's foundation will establish a sustainable foundation in providing  and promoting the values in persons affected by sickle cell disorder.

Responding, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu who was respresented by Mrs. Edith Nwosu, vice president of vicar Hope Foundation thanked  the association for making her a part of attendees to the Annual General Meeting of the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors of Nigeria and which Abia, hosted. 

"I will make bold to say that Sickle Cell disease is a health priority in Abia State and my foundation is a major driver of the policy" she stated.

 She went further to inform the association that in November last year, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, directed the setting up of seventeen sickle cell care mini-centres in all the Local Government areas of the state. According to her, the objective is to bring care, testing and counseling services closer to be the people are the grassroots. 

She however, stressed that her NGO, Vicar Hope Foundation, and Abia State Government are working hand in glove to achieve the lowest statistics of SCD in the state. "We are technical partners on a few projects"

"One  of the planks of my Foundation’s work in SCD is awareness and sensitization" Over the past four years, we have held countless sensitization and awareness programmes that include street-walks, rallies, community engagements, house-to-house, person-to-person, roadshows, radio shows, online media campaigns, and television shows, and even using movies as a medium.

She ended by saying that the numerous works that my Foundation has done on SCD has created increasing demand for testing services in Abia State.

This places a burden on medical laboratories operating within Abia and beyond, making this conference very timely. "It is my expectations that the deliberations, and conversations instigated by this conference will translate to better services for sickle cell patients, and roadway towards possible eradication of the disease.

Eradication of the disease can only be achieved through mass testing, as well counseling. 

The event which was held at the Aba Sports club 1926, Aba, On September 30th 2020, had participants from all walks of life in attendance.

INDEPENDENCE DAY GIFT TO ABIANS: GOVERNOR IKPEAZU SIGNSVIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS PROHIBITION LAW.

  

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has signed into Law the ABIA STATE VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS PROHIBITION (VAPP) LAW effectively placing Abia in the comity of states with robust legislation and safeguards against various forms of violence against humanity. 

The Governor signed the law in a small ceremony witnessed by a few top government functionaries. 

The governor’s assent comes after months of painstaking work by the Abia State House of Assembly, and amidst pioneering advocacy by the wife of the Governor. 

Speaking about the significance of the event, Chief Press Secretary to the Wife of the Governor, Chika Ojiegbe said, “It is like an Independence Day gift for Abians by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and Abians are immensely thankful to the Governor. He has once more proven his commitment to protecting the rights of the citizens. I think it is a milestone for Abia State and a feather in the hat of the First Lady, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu. 

Recall that for over two years the first lady and her NGO Vicar Hope Foundation has been the arrow head for the move to get the VAPP law passed and signed in Abia. She and other stakeholders had engaged the House of Assembly on the matter many times. 

In fact she has gone down in history as the first governor’s wife to visit a statehouse of assembly and address all the members. Sure enough, the House passed the law and today, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu gave his assent”. 

Experts say it the passage of the law has brought about amore robust legal framework for implementing justice for gender based issues and rape. Lawyers, and human rights advocates, say numerous cases of abuse are tied up in the courts because extant laws have proven inadequate.

“It may shock you to know that before now no laws specifically protects or prescribes punishment for the rape of a young boy or a man. In pre-existing laws on rape, only vaginal penetration using male genitalia is classified as ‘rape’”, says Mr. Ojiegbe. 

“Before now, only women can be ‘raped’ in the legal definition of the word. 

However, the new VAPP law provides that males CAN be raped. The law defines that un-consensual unlawful anal or oral sex can be rape and not sexual assault as current legal definitions infer. The law also provides that the violence of rape can be inflicted with instruments other than the genitalia as against what is obtainable in extant laws”.

“The VAPP law covers psychological, socio-economic and physical violence. It makes provisions for violence perpetrated by spouses,deprivations by spouses, battery, harmful widowhood practices, female genital mutilation, indecent exposure, incest, abandonment of children, as well as harmful substance attacks, for example, cases where someone pours acid on a fellow human being. It even further protects citizens from violence perpetrated by recognized state institutions or agencies”.

“Another good news is that the law makes it possible for relevant state ministries such as the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social development to discharge important parts of their mandate such as the protection of vulnerable women and children”. 

Former Chairman of the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Abia State, Mrs. Chidinma Alozie said in an interview said “We owe a lot to the determination of the Wife of the Governor to get this law passed and signed. I also salute in a very special way, Mr. Governor for timeliness in signing the law. It provides a more robust legal framework for implementing justice for gender based issues and rape. We have many very clear cases of abuse and violence that do not see the light of day in court because some extant laws have proven inadequate for diligent prosecution”.

A few days ago Governor Okezie Ikpeazu commissioned an Ultra-Modern Half-Way Home in Umuahia, built with support from Total Upstream, which cumulatively makes Abia very ready to effectively take on the increasing social challenges of gender based violence and displacement caused by it as well as by human trafficking. 

Meanwhile the World President of Medical Women International Association On behalf of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA),Dr. Eleanor Nwadinaobi thanked the State Governor for putting a smile on the faces of Abians by signing into law the Abia State Violence Against Persons Prohibition law. 

In a message to the Governor, Dr. Nwadinaobi said the global organization is “aware that this Executive endorsement of the law is a culmination of months of collaborative efforts championed by the Wife of the Governor, Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu’s, pioneering efforts in pushing the bill to the State House of Assembly and working with other stakeholders to get it passed”

The statement further reads: “With Your Excellency graciously giving your imprimatur to the bill and making it a full-fledged Law,Abia State has joined other states in the Federation to commit to the protection of persons and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to book”.  

“Following the signing into law of the VAPP act by the national assembly in 2015, the following states have signed the VAPP act into law; Anambra 2018, Bauchi 2020,Enugu 2019, Kaduna 2018, Lagos 2007, Oyo 2016.Others passed by State Assemblies include Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo,Ekiti, Ogun , Osun and Plateau. 

“We therefore remain grateful to Your Excellency and your wife Deaconess Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu Ph.D, and urge you to kindly put in place a strong task team to ensure implementation of the Abia VAPP act.”

MRS. IKPEAZU CHARGES AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS, PHILANTHROPISTS ON DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS AS BRIDGE-BUILDING.

 

The Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu has urged government on the African continent and transnational corporations to see sports as a vehicle that can unify, build bridges and blur national divides.

In a message she sent to the 3rd African International Para-Badminton Workshop holding at the National Stadium Abuja, Mrs. Ikpeazu said sports had proven an effective tool for international diplomacy.

She commended the Badminton Federation of Africa for its choice of Nigeria to host the 5-day workshop and camp and prayed that the outcomes will help expand the frontiers of the game on the continent. 

“Para badminton is gradually gaining appeal in our country and sports-lovers like myself will often throw our weight behind it as we seek new ways for our young ones to express their physical talents,” Mrs. Ikpeazu wrote.

“Like every sport, Para-Badminton nurtures unity in diversity and creates a platform for excellence. 

“The unique gains of giving disabled sports prominence is that it fosters a sense of belonging in society and encourage the physically challenged to excel by stimulating competitiveness.”

Mrs. Ikpeazu added that it was the reason why she has tried to support the growth of this game, by hosting two editions of the Nkechi Ikpeazu National Open Para-Badminton Championships in Umuahia and by sponsoring the team to the African and World Para-Badminton Championships in Uganda in 2018.

She invited conglomerates and sports philanthropists to see sports development as a challenge and do their best to keep sports alive in Nigeria.

Good News. Vicar Hope Foundation is offering a free breast cancer screening for women.

The President of Vicar Hope Foundation and the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, disclosed this cheering news on the 1st of October,2019. "My passion for Abia women knows no bounds and encompasses all areas of their well-being, including quality health care" she said.

I wish to encourage all Abia women to take out time to go for this screening process to accertain the condition of their breasts.



This free breast cancer screening is running from the 1st to 31st of October, 2019.

It runs from Monday to Friday.

Time is 10am to 4pm.

Venue: Vicar Hope Foundation, Center. 183 Ndume otuka bypass umuahia.

All Abia women are encouraged to take advantage of this rare opportunity to examine their breasts.

Cancer is a killer disease with no known cure, but when discovered on time, it can be managed and possible prevention.

Please, let's make this golden opportunity go viral.

Remember; A Healthy Breast, makes a Healthy Woman....
A Healthy Woman, makes a Healthy Nation!

GIRL FORCE, THE UNSCRIPTED AND UNSTOPPABLE ABIA GIRL CHILD....

GIRL FORCE, THE UNSCRIPTED AND UNSTOPPABLE ABIA GIRL CHILD....

Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has called on the Government, Civil societies, Faith based and Community based organization, Human right groups, husbands and other stakeholders in the society to devote more resources in developing, protecting and empowering the girl child.

The wife of the Governor of Abia state made this call during the International Day of the Girl Child, themed
"GirlForce, Unscripted and Unstoppable ", held at Michael Okpara auditorium Umuahia.

She stated that the realities of our world today presents many limitations to the power of the girl child, and we do not need to put limitations and barriers to the positive power of the girl child; but rather invest in them and protect them from gender based violence, tackling inequalities and discrimination.

In the words of Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, "we are working to change narratives by joining the global coalition working with girls to expand opportunities for them to become self reliant through having access to information and communication technology, since science and technology is the oxygen that keeps society alive and is capable of empowering the girl child".

Mrs Ikpeazu urged the teenage girls to study hard and practice what they study, avoid peer pressure that leads to exam malpractice, drug abuse,and prostitution; expressing high hopes of seeing their names on the roll call of women leaders.

Speaking on the occasion, The special adviser to the governor on teenage matters, Mrs Chinaemenma Umeseaka said, "If you can think it, you can be it". Urging the teenage girls to think of what they want to be and make it happen, always having a dream of what they want to be and working towards it.

Speaking further, she summarized the importance of females by saying, "If you want anything to be said, call the man, if you want anything to be done, call the woman".

The event also featured a Lunch session of the Governors wife and the girls, where she promised to pay the tuition fee of some outstanding girls.

Nollywood actress uche nnanna and other motivational speakers from all works of life, aimed at the  development of the girl child physically and mentally, were also in attendance.

Lets brighten the corners where we live... Ikpeazu

The wife of the Governor of Abia state, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, has commended Lucky Care Foundation, for their support in Improving lives.
She made this commendation  yesterday, 11th of October 2019, during a courtesy visit by the Foundation, at the Government House Umuahia.

She adviced people to emulate the humanitarian activities of her Vicar Hope Foundation and  lucky care foundation.

She ended by saying "everyone should brighten the corners where they are, because the mission of improving lives is not a one man's business, it is a collective effort"

In his response, the president and founder of Lucky Johnson Care Foundation, Mr. Lucky Udoka Johnson, appreciated Mrs. Ikpeazu for complimenting the developmental efforts of her  husband in taking the state to a greater height, using her pet project, the Vicar Hope Foundation not forgetting the school free meal, which have helped to improved Abia school System.

He added that the major aim of his foundation is to positively impact in people's lives, which off course  prompted their visit with some food items and toiletries to support the humanitarian efforts of Mrs. Ikpeazu in the state.

He presented food stuffs, toiletries and other items in support of the free school meal.

Ikpeazu Charges Judiciary To Expedite Action Over Inmates Awaiting Trial.

Wife Of Abia Gov. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu

The wife of Abia State Governor Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has called for speedy judicial dissipations by the judiciary to decongest the population of inmates in the Nigeria Correctional Service.

The Governor’s wife stated this when she visited the Nigeria Correctional Facility in Umuahia, to mark the 2019,World Sights Day organised by the Optometrists Association.

She said that the awareness being created through campaigns and testing would go a long way in resolving some of the issues associated with poor sight management adding that some of the eye diseases are preventable.

The Abia First Lady charge all health practitioners and traditional institutions to join the association in educating people on preventable measures against prevalence of eye diseases and commended the Nigeria Correctional Service for measures that are taken to improve live of the inmates.

In his speech, the state comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Service, Julius Ezeugwu, decried the rising population of inmates in geographical progression adding that the number is growing higher than the facility in Umuahia, Aba and Arochukwu can carry.

Ezeugwu appealed for government’s assistance to improve on their services and thanked the Abia Governor’s wife for choosing the centre for free eye service stressing that such gesture would go along way to improve the sight sight conditions of the inmates.

In his remarks the state chairman of the Optometrists Association of Nigeria, Dr. Okechukwu Abangwu, said that the associations programme aimed at the treatment of eye diseases as well as prevent it.

Abangwu thanked the wife of Abia Governor for partnering with them.

https://nationalambassador.com.ng/amp/ikpeazu-charges-judiciary-to-expedite-action-over-inmates-awaiting-trial/

 Chibunna Ikeokwu