By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja
The Anambra State Towns People Association (ASTPA), Abuja Chapter, has inaugurated its Women’s Wing with a charge to members to preserve Igbo cultural values, promote welfare and empowerment, and contribute meaningfully to the development of Anambra communities.
The inauguration took place on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the FCT Christians Pilgrimage Welfare Board, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Declaring the Women’s Wing inaugurated, President-General (PG) of ASTPA, Chief (Sir) Arinze Anadu, (Nwachinemelu), described the occasion as a historic moment in the life of the association.
According to him, the establishment of the Women’s Wing was not merely the creation of another arm of ASTPA, but an effort to bring women, whom he described as the “heartbeat, soul and engine room” of the association, to the forefront of community development.
Anadu said women had for years remained a major force behind the success of ASTPA through mobilisation, fundraising, counselling, family support and preservation of culture.
He said the inauguration was therefore intended to give structure and greater recognition to the contributions of women to the association.
The ASTPA President-General charged the newly inaugurated executive to make the preservation of Anambra and Igbo cultural heritage one of its priorities.
He urged the women to encourage children to learn and speak Igbo, preserve traditional dressing and uphold respect for elders and family values.
Anadu also tasked the Women’s Wing with identifying widows, struggling mothers and young girls in need of support, while developing skill acquisition, cooperative and mentorship programmes.
He called for stronger unity among families and town unions, stressing that the Women’s Wing should be among the first to respond whenever members of the community faced difficulties.
He further encouraged the women to partner with ASTPA in promoting health outreaches, educational scholarships and business support programmes for Ndi Anambra resident in Abuja.
In her acceptance speech, the newly appointed Chairlady of ASTPA Women’s Wing, Mrs Amaka Onuora, expressed gratitude to God and ASTPA leadership for entrusting her with the responsibility.
Onuora said she accepted the position with humility, describing leadership as a responsibility based on service, sacrifice and accountability rather than title or position.
She particularly appreciated the ASTPA leadership, members, brothers and husbands whose support, she said, contributed to the establishment of the Women’s Wing in accordance with the association’s constitutional provisions.
She pledged that the new executive would work collectively to advance the vision of ASTPA and improve the welfare of its members.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” she said, stressing the importance of unity and collective action.
Onuora said her administration would focus on strengthening relationships between the Women’s Wing and the men’s body, building a productive working relationship with her executive members and contributing useful ideas to ASTPA.
She also promised to educate women on the tenets and objectives of ASTPA and ensure that the Women’s Wing did not work at cross purposes with the parent association.
She said the women would also bring innovative ideas to the table for consideration by ASTPA leadership.
“Our goal should be to leave our community better than we met it for the good of our unborn children,” she said.
