I was targeted, abused for being an Igbo woman – Onyeka Onwenu speaks on disengagement as DG, NCWD

Renowned singer and actress, Onyeka Onwenu has opened up on her recent disengagement as Director General, DG, of the National Center For Women Development, stressing that she did not lobby to get the appointment and will not go out of her way to keep it.

The popular songster and scriptwriter on Wednesday released a statement following her disengagement from heading the National Center For Women Development, an appointment she described as a call from God.

Onwenu, who claimed that she gave 200 per cent devotion to the job at the expense of many personal projects, lamented the various frustrations she faced in the course of heading the agency, including sheer instances of sabotage.
Her statement reads, “When the call came on September 13, 2013 to serve Nigeria as DG, National Center For Women Development, I took it as a call from God and I answered in the affirmative.

“I served for 2 years and 5 months and did my best under very difficult conditions. We hardly had money to operate and the place was badly run down. Worst, there was low moral and lack of commitment among the staff as most spent the day loitering and gossiping.
“Many would not show up for work or arrive 11 am, only to leave before 3 pm. Some were absent for months and were just collecting their salary at home.

“My administration changed all that. Most Staff were turned around and became passionate about the work, appreciating also the changes they thought were not possible but were happening right before them.

“There remained though, a remnant who felt that the Center was their personal preserve and that the position of Director General should only go to someone from their part of the country. I was initially dismissed as just a Musician.