The atmosphere at the headquarters of the International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) is one of celebration following the selection of Ms. Amaka Biachi-Nwosu for the US State Department’s International Visitors Leadership Program on NGO Management.

Ms. Amaka Biachi-Nwosu, who was nominated for the programme by Intersociety, is the former wife of late Comrade Chidi Nwosu, who was chairman of Campaign for Democracy, South-East Zone, until his gruesome murder in December 2009 by suspected State agents in Abia State, South-East Nigeria. She is on the list of participants July/August 2013 class of the programme in the USA.

“Ms. Amaka Biachi’s name was included in the team of Intersociety that played host to the US Consular General and his team who held a meeting with us during his visit to Anambra State in 2011, which led to her recommendation and nomination. Madam Biachi-Nwosu was recommended and nominated by our organisation to keep the struggle with which her late beloved husband was known for, alive,” said Intersociety Board Chairman, Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi, in a statement issued today in Onitsha, Anambra State.

“The choice and inclusion of Ms. Amaka Nwosu in the prestigious program is not only a plus for Intersociety but also a great psychological reprieve to her because it is likely that she is still traumatised by way and manner her beloved husband was battered and murdered in her presence three and a half years ago. It is a great cure and a psychological recovery for a woman who may not be far from the confines of post traumatic stressand shock arising from Comrade Chidi Nwosu’s wicked murder,” Umeagbalasi added.

Ms. Amaka Nwosu’s nomination came hot on the heels of that of Comrade Umeagbalasi, who successfully participated in the programme as a member of the class of June 2013.

Intersociety in the statement also “another great friend and a popular nominee for Intersociety board membership, Dr. Josephine Obiajulu Okei-Odumakin, who heads the Campaign for Democracy in Nigeria and founded Women Arise for Change; who had earlier in March 2013 been awarded a prestigious International Woman of Courage by the US Secretary of State. Dr. Joe Odumakin.”

“These,” according to Umeagbalasi, “are great honors to Intersociety family and friends and we thank the US State Department and the US Embassy in Nigeria for finding us meritorious and worthy. We promise to keep the flag of struggle flying without ceasing and season.”

•Photo: Late Chidi Nwosu whose activism has been continued by the wife, Amaka.