Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED), a pioneer project of the Commonwealth Association of Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA), held its first quarter meeting on 26th March 2025 at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri. I was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Nkechinyere Ugwu, UNJP, in support of the advancement of technical education for women and girl children. In my remarks at the meeting, which celebrated the Co-Head of the Association, Dr. Mrs. Basilia Igbokwe, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, I urged women to shatter glass ceilings and barriers and become who they are meant to be. I noted that WITED has provided them with the expertise needed to excel in their chosen careers. I called on them to utilize their technical knowledge beyond the family and let society hear their voice of impact. I reminded them that WITED aligns with the projects and activities of the state and used the medium to call on women and girl children to stand out in the crowd. I encouraged them to leverage the technical skills provided by WITED to ensure a vibrant advocacy for the advancement of women's technical knowledge participation at all levels. The Deputy Governor of Imo State, H.E. Lady Chinyere Ekomaru PhD, who represented my husband, the Governor, lauded the innovations that WITED is bringing to bear in developing women and girl children in the state. She informed them that I have already taken it as my passion to place the ladder for women to climb to greatness. In their speeches, the Rector and the National Coordinator of WITED, Dr. (Mrs.) Basilia Igbokwe and Princess Regina Elechi Amadi PhD, respectively, called on women to pull down stereotypes and become trailblazers and change-makers in their various fields of endeavour.

#chiomauzodimma

H.E. Chief Barr. (Dr.) Chioma Uzodimma, FIMC, CMC
First Lady, Imo State and Founder, GoodHope Women's Initiative,
and Secretary of Renewed Hope Initiative.