Ebonyi First Lady nominated as The Sun Newspaper’s best lady of the year 2024

By uzorigwe Gloria, Abakalik.

The Wife of Ebonyi State Governor Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, has been nominated for The Sun Newspapers’ prestigious First Lady of the Year Award for 2024.

The founder and CEO of Better Health for Rural Women, Children, and Internally Displaced Persons (BERWO) received the nomination letter from the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Newspapers, Onuoha Ukeh, in her office at Ochudo Centenary City new government house Abakaliki on the 17th day of February 2025.

Her Excellence, expressed her joy and gratitude, stating that the nomination will encourage her to do more for the people of Ebonyi and humanity in general. She expressed her gladness and encouraged her to do more goodies for her people and humanitarian activities through her pet project, BERWO, and herself personally.

Chief Mrs Nwifuru acknowledged the people of Ebonyi State for providing an enabling environment for her to carry out her duties. She also appreciated The Sun for the nomination, stating that it’s a call for more action.

The governor’s wife states that she didn’t know that The Sun was observing what she was doing and commended the organization for finding her worthy of the accolade.

“I want to thank the people of Ebonyi State for giving me that enabling environment to do all the things you listed I have done.

“I am overwhelmed by the things we do for our people; it is our responsibility to do so, and it has taken root in the ears of The Sun.

“I never knew that what we are doing would cross the walls of Ebonyi State, and here you are, giving me an award.

“Most things, I used to ask myself, do I really deserve this because I have not really done anything to warrant any award.

“I am just asking God to help me to achieve what I want to achieve by empowering our women, helping them to know that they have hope in Ebonyi State, and I am not doing it to receive any award; rather, I am doing it for God to take all the glory.

“I want to appreciate The Sun for finding me worthy. I would have declined because, like I said, I don’t know if I deserve this wonderful award, but to God be the glory that you find worthy, and I know that it is the Lord’s doing.

“Thank you very much for this award, this is a call for more action because to who much is given, much is expected. Now that I know all eyes are on me, I will have to put more effort”, she stated.

Presenting the nomination letter to her on behalf of the organization, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Newspapers, Onuoha Ukeh said her selection for the award was based on merit and that it was the outcome of a rigorous process that lasted several weeks of debate and scrutiny by Board of Editors of the company.

Onuoha Ukeh explained that Mrs. Nwifuru’s selection was based on merit, following a rigorous process by the company’s Board of Editors.

He praised her for distinguishing herself among other first ladies in the country, citing her initiatives on healthcare, education, community development, women and youth empowerment.

The Sun MD said her selection for the award was based on merit and that it was the outcome of a rigorous process that lasted several weeks of debate and scrutiny by the Board of Editors of the company.

Onuoha Ukeh explained that Mrs. Nwifuru’s selection was based on merit, following a rigorous process by the company’s Board of Editors.

He praised her for distinguishing herself among other first ladies in the country, citing her initiatives on healthcare, education, community development, women and youth empowerment.

Ukeh said, “As the First Lady of Ebonyi State, you are toeing the footpath of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Upon the inauguration of your husband as the governor of the state in 2023, you came with a definite agenda of bettering the lot of the poor and vulnerable.

“Your undying passion to alleviate the plight of the downtrodden, creating awareness to end gender-based violence, advocating for victims, supporting second chance education for citizens of the state, especially those in the rural areas, gave rise to your pet project – Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation, which was launched on November 15, 2023.

“With this special purpose vehicle, you have taken the gospel of better life for rural women, children, and men too, to the nooks and crannies of the state. The landscape of Ebonyi is dotted with your initiatives on healthcare, education, community development, and women and youth empowerment. There is evidence of rapid response to crisis and relief, cultural preservation and heritage, as well as advocacy and awareness creation.

“It is heart-warming to note that in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, you have enhanced consciousness on breast and cervical cancer amongst women and girls in the state.

“You also enrolled 100 sickle cell warriors in the health insurance scheme of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, organized a de-worming program where children were given drugs and palliatives, and also officially launched the Severe Acute Malnutrition Centre,” Ukeh stated.

The Award & dinner presentation will take place at The Sun Awards Venue ceremony on the 1st of March 2025. In Lagos Nigeria.