ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State government has urged Nigerian women not to give in to challenges but continue to appreciate and perform their role as a critical success factor in nation-building.
Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made the assertion when the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Bayelsa State chapter, visited him in Government House, Yenagoa.
Ewhrudjakpo noted that no nation that denies women of their rightful place in society could make any appreciable and sustainable progress.
He described Christian women as indispensable to building a virile church and a peaceful society where love and the fear of God prevail.
Ewhrudjakpo pointed out that every child passes through the care and nurture of a mother, who is expected to play a greater role of imparting the right values of both family and society in the children.
According to him, deviants such as prostitutes, cultists, armed robbers and treasury looters in society were given birth to by a mother, hence the woman has a peculiar responsibility as the first teacher of every child that comes into the world.
He lauded Christian women, especially members of WOWICAN, for their continued fervent prayers for the church and the nation, but restated the need for Christians to be united in protecting their faith from internal and external adversarial forces.
Ewhrudjakpor congratulated the new leadership of WOWICAN on their successful inauguration and charged them to work harder to achieve more than their predecessors.
Responding to their requests, he said the government would support some of the association’s programmes including the hosting of its regional conference within limits of available resources.
The Deputy Governor said: “Every woman has children under her care. Women have done much, but they have not done as much as we desire, hence our society is what it is today.
“Every woman is the mother of a child. Every prostitute, cultist, armed robber and treasury looter is owned by parents. Without exonerating the men, I believe mothers can play a better role in bringing up children. And that is why they must be supported in society.
“As Christian women, you should build the church and society from your homes. Teach and advise your children.
“WOWICAN should take your focus beyond the current threshold, because if you fail in your objectives, you have failed in your duty to the church and society.”
Earlier in her remarks, the state Chairperson, WOWICAN, Mrs. Grace Iyabi, highlighted the association’s key objectives to include fostering unity among Christians, support for evangelism and the protection of Christian women’s rights.
Iyabi pleaded with the government to support WOWICAN in hosting the South-South conference in Bayelsa next month, as well as providing logistics for its members to participate at the National Convention billed for Enugu State in October this year.