Mothers hold the key to a better Nigeria – Mrs. Akpabio

The wife of the Akwa Ibom State governor and Chairperson, Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI) Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, has said that by virtue of their role as character moulders and custodians of family values, Nigerian mothers hold the key to a greater and more integrated nation. 

The governor’s wife made the remarks recently at Uyo as Special Guest at the 19th Annual Conference of the National Council of Catholic Women Organisation (NCCWO). 

Akpabio noted that although Nigeria is going through tough times due to the activities of terrorists, the country can rise above its challenges if only mothers will take seriously the God-given responsibility to inculcate good values in children, especially the Christian virtue of love. 

Mrs. Akpabio also noted that the theme of the conference, ‘Love in Action’, is very apt at this time of our national life as it is a wake-up call to all Nigerians, and Christians in particular, to exercise the biblical virtue of love as a solution to some of our social challenges. She added that women should be more concerned about the state of the nation because they usually bear the brunt of crisis.

“These crises affect women and children more than any other group. They are the most vulnerable. Whenever there is a crisis, it is the women that are usually displaced, they and their children are the ones who are thrown into poverty and hopelessness” Akpabio said. “Ironically, because of their role as nurturers and character moulders at the family level, mothers also hold the key to building that new Nigeria of our dreams, one built on a foundation of tolerance, peace and unity. If we teach our children the right values from the family level, our country will be the better for it.”

She called on the Conference to pray for the safety and release of the Chibok girls, and wisdom for our leaders and security agencies as they combat the challenge. 

In her remarks, the NCCWO President Chief Mrs. Agnes Erogunnaye commended the governor’s wife for her role in uplifting widows, orphans, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable constituencies in the state through her non-governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI). 

She said that Christian love should be displayed through such practical works for our neighbours, rather than by words.  At a pre-Conference courtesy visit by the National Executive Committee of the organisation to the governor’s wife at Government House, Uyo the previous day, the NCCWO President had observed the significant development strides in the state and noted that the governor could only have achieved that much because he had a very supportive wife.

One of the highpoints of the event was the presentation of an Award of Excellence on Mrs. Akpabio in recognition of the impact of her programmes on the lives of women and children in the state. 

The Conference, which brought together more than 1,000 women from Catholic Dioceses across Nigeria, had in attendance the Archbishop of Calabar Archdiocese, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Ekuwem, who presented the Keynote Address on the theme ‘Love in Action’. Other dignitaries at the event were the Chief Justice of Akwa Ibom State, His Lordship, Justice Idongesit Ntem Isua, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Glory Edet, and some other public officials in the state.