Sister Francisca Ngozi Uti, a Nigerian Catholic sister and the founder of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) in Abuja, has been awarded the 2024 Opus Prize, a prestigious honor that comes with a $1.2 million award recognizing exceptional global humanitarian efforts.
The award was presented on November 14, 2024, at Santa Clara University in California’s Silicon Valley. Sister Ngozi, who is part of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), expressed heartfelt gratitude during the ceremony.
“Did I ever imagine being chosen as the laureate? Honestly, no,” she shared. “It’s hard to put into words how much joy I feel. Never did I think the work my team and I have been doing in underserved communities would receive recognition, not just locally but internationally, in the United States.”
Sister Ngozi thanked the Opus Prize jury for acknowledging her mission to support marginalized groups. Reflecting on her personal journey, she credited her father for ensuring she received an education despite the challenges of society.
“Thank you, Papa. Your sacrifices were not in vain,” she said. She also paid tribute to the founder of her congregation, Mother Mary Charles Magdalene Walker, whose courage and faith continue to guide her.
Under Sister Ngozi’s leadership, CWSI has been instrumental in empowering women to take on leadership roles, become economically self-sufficient, and fight for their rights. The organization is also committed to increasing women’s representation in government and pushing for stronger legal measures to combat gender-based violence across five Nigerian states.
