By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
The 31st Annual Seminar and Award Giving Ceremony of the Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria, Benin Ecclesiastical Province has ended with a call on women to remain hopeful even when all is not well.
The seminar, themed: “A Hopeful Woman Walks and Works With Faith” was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, West End, Asaba, Delta State from Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st August, 2025, with delegates from the six Dioceses making up Benin Ecclesiastical Province, including: the Archdiocese of Benin, Diocese of Warri, Iselle-uku, Bomadi, Auchi, and Uromi Dioceses.
Preaching the homely at the opening Mass, the Bishop of Iselle-uku Diocese Most Rev. Michael Odogwu Elue welcomed the women to the Diocese and urged them to see their motherly responsibilities as spiritual and not physical duties.
Bishop Elue, represented by the Director, Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Iselle-uku Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Johnbosco Ezeonwumelu noted that a hopeful woman sees her work as participating in God’s plan and would not give up despite the odds, just like the Blessed Virgin Mary did not give up when her son Jesus Christ was suffering, knowing that he will eventually overcome.
The Bishop warned women to desist from misplaced priorities by worrying over the things they really do not need as Herodias who requested the Head of John the Baptist.
Welcoming the participants, the President, CWO, Iselle-uku Diocese, Ezinne Mrs Veronica Anomfueme acknowledged the role of women in shaping our communities, and fostering spiritual growth through the Catholic Women Organisation that was founded on the principle of light, unity, love and peace to promote participation and co-responsibility of women in the Church and society.
Delivering a lecture on the theme of the seminar, the Provincial CWO Sister Adviser, Rev. Sr. Anthoia Ugheighele urged the women to hope in God as they set their mind on any goal, stressing that hope assures that God has not finished with us, urging them to be builders in the church and society, not destroyers.
Also speaking on the essentials of ‘Violence Against Persons’ Prohibition Law (VAPP Law)’, Barr. Uche Akamagwuna stated that the act of violence against anyone, such as physical, economic, sexual, abandonment, or culture based is no longer allowed in the society, pointing out that perpetrators are liable to penalties ranging from life imprisonment, certain number of years in prison or fines.
On her part, the President, CWONBEP, Ambassador Dr. Christie Akako paid tribute to the Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese, Most Rev Augustine Obiora Akubueze and all the Bishops in the province for their support to the CWO, while acknowledging the role of the six Diocesan CWO Presidents who rallied round her and the executive team to steer the provincial CWO in the last four years, praying God to bless them.
The Chairman at the award presentation ceremony, Chief Dr. Anthony Nwokolobia commended the leadership of the CWONBEP for convening the conference which he described as a means of evangelization, urging women to rise up in curving the rising trend of cultism and drug abuse among the youths.
The 4-Day event featured penitential Service, confessions, singing and quiz competitions, teachings, lectures, health talk, Rosary Procession, award presentations and gala nite.
In a vote of thanks, the immediate past member of the Board of Trustees and Head of Project Committee, CWONBEP, Dame Dorothy Ikheloa appreciated the delegates for their conduct in the seminar, while thanking the priests that came to celebrate the Masses throughout the seminar, including the Vicar General, Iselle-uku Diocese and Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, West End, Asaba, Very Rev. Fr. Peter Muobuogwu; the Iselle-uku Diocesan CWO Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Franklin Odiaka. Others were Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Aduba; Rev. Frs. Elias Ezeuzo, Simon Chukwuka, Simon Ebube, Fr. Ohanwusi and Very Rev. Fr. Peter Mokwenye.
Highlights were the presentation of trophies to the winners of the various competitions as Iselle-uku Diocese emerged the first in Singing competition, Uromi Diocese came second and Warri Diocese came third. For the quiz competition, Auchi Diocese came first, Uromi came second and Bomadi came third.
