The much coveted Onaedo Woman of the Year Award for Humanitarian Service has been bestowed on Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme), at the recent Anambra State Women Association of Southern California’s (ASWA-SC) tenth anniversary celebration which held on Saturday, June 9, at the Grand Event Center, in Long Beach, California. The Award was received on her behalf by Dr. Ijeoma Omekam, Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs, Culture and Tourism, to the Anambra State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Willie Obiano.
The event’s theme, Onaedo Women: Building Bridges to a Brighter Future, resonated with the rapturous audience, a panoply of Anambra State indigenes, Diasporan communities and well-wishers. Adding to the festivity’s ambiance, the association’s President, Attorney Mrs. Amaka Ada Akudinobi, in her welcome speech, assured all that “the association remains our home, nest and fort, from where we will weave our threads of experiences, heritage, culture and values into formidable pathways and uncommon bridges to our esteemed aspirations.”
A Certificate of Recognition for philanthropy, from the California Legislature Assemblyman, Mike A. Gipson, Chair of the Democratic Caucus at the California House of Assembly was a major highlight of the event.
Mrs. Esther Ikeji, an exemplar, in service as executive of the organization since its inception, was honored with Meritorious Service Award due to her devotion, continuity, and articulate visions central to ASWA-SC.
Ms. Adaobi Gwacham, a franchisee, received the Entrepreneurship and Community Service Award, while Queen Uche Umeagukwu, the current Miss Africa World, obtained a Philanthropist Award, and Ms. Omelogo Udeze, a Community Service and Mentorship Award, thus, extending the association’s determination for a fine balance between generations and futures.
In the words of Iyom Mrs. Josephine Akametalu, Co-Chair of the Anniversary Committee, “Their respective successes are significant for what the future holds, for the community, especially, the roles of women in building the desired bridges.”
As anniversaries go, especially as days of remembrance, guests left not just with mementos but scintillating memories that long will be treasured. The association being united in vision and purpose, from all accounts, cemented distinctively sturdy scaffolds for building bridges to brighter futures through this epochal accomplishment.