"Let us strive to be those wise women who build homes characterized by love, respect, positivity, and faithfulness. Together we can create environments where families flourish, where laughter echoes through hallways filled with warmth and where every member feels cherished."
By Victor Nwegede
Women's roles in home building and national integration, have made them the heartbeats of today and the eyes of the tomorrow. This necessitated the theme of Ebonyi women's August meeting for the year 2024, tagged, "A wise woman builds her home."
Ebonyi First Lady while welcoming her husband, Governor Francis Nwifuru during the flag off of the 2024 State Women August meeting at Christian Ecumenical Centre Abakaliki.
It is apt to state that the theme resonates deeply as it recognizes women's vital role in building and nurturing strong households, communities, states and nations like Nigeria. Knowing full well that, women have become the backbones of their respective homes, communities, states and nations, their wisdom, strength and unwavering commitment to family values should be considered as the fundamental elements that contribute to societal stability - promoting positive growth and development.
Undoubtedly, August meetings have become an annual routine in Ebonyi, bothering how to build peaceful homes, villages, and local, state and national development projects. Both male and female folks are always involved but the women seemed to have presently been in the lead, in hosting such meetings in the state.
Apart from having special uniform attires and music groups, women always show a lot of commitment towards meeting the demands required for such a gathering to be a successful one.
This is because women have diverse roles to fulfil, not limited to being just mothers, leaders, educators and entrepreneurs but building peaceful homes, which would culminate in the larger society as a village, a community, a local government area, a state, a country, a continent and the world over.
Emphasizing the significance of the August meeting held on Saturday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, the state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru commended the Ebonyi women for choosing the theme, which in his words, seeks to remind them of their pride of place in God's agenda for family and nation-building, and expressed the belief that it would achieve the desired results.
"The theme "A wise woman builds her home" resonates deeply as it acknowledges the pivotal role you play in building and nurturing strong families, communities, and nations like ours. It is indeed obvious that your selflessness, compassion, and dedication are the foundation upon which thriving homes are built. The good women of our dear state are the glue that holds families together and her influence shapes the next generation of leaders," Nwifuru said.
The governor thanked God for giving him a Wife, Chief Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamka Nwifuru who understands the needs of the Ebonyi people. He charged the women to be promoters of the good cultural practices of the Ebonyi people especially the usage of local dialects and other shared values that encourage peace, unity and progress in the state.
Nwifuru expressed his administration's readiness to embark on women's empowerment, noting that he has released a 450 million Naira fund meant for women's projects while emphasizing the need to promote practical farming and other profitable businesses in Ebonyi State.
Also, in her goodwill message, the State Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila said the event marked a significant milestone for Ebonyi women, commending the first lady of the state, Chief Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamka Nwifuru for providing an opportunity for them to deliberate on issues confronting female folks, especially at the wake of social and political challenges in the country.
She underscored that the August meeting would avail women the opportunity to chart a way forward for their families and the society at large, stressing the need for them to put measures in place that would discourage their children from violence and other social vices in every part of the state while supporting all-inclusive governance of Governor Nwifuru.
It could be recalled that both in concept and practice, Ebonyi Women's August meeting serves as a veritable tool which brings every women group in the state together to complement the efforts of the state and non-state actors in societal development.
The First Lady of Ebonyi State, Chief Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamka Nwifuru, has received many accolades, for having worked together with other well-meaning women of the state to choose the theme, which would not only resonate with the female folks in the home building but promote national integration especially now the country faces many crises cutting across the economy, politics and socio-cultural backgrounds.
For Mrs Nwifuru, to understand what it means for a wise woman to build her home, "we must first explore the concept of wisdom itself.
"Wisdom is more than mere knowledge; it is the application of knowledge in ways that honour God and uplift those around us. A wise woman recognizes that her role extends beyond traditional boundaries. She embodies qualities such as discernment, patience, and compassion.
"In Proverbs 14:1, we read that “A wise woman builds her home.” This building process involves creating a sanctuary where family members feel safe and valued. It requires intentionality in fostering relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
"In our society, women have always been the backbone of families. They are the caregivers, educators, and often the peacemakers. A wise woman builds her home by fostering an environment where these values thrive. She understands that her influence extends beyond her immediate family; it reaches into the community as she raises children who will become responsible citizens."
Emphasizing the importance of women's empowerment, she noted that empowering women economically leads to sustainable development in society.
According to her, when women have access to education and vocational training, they can secure better jobs or even start their businesses.
"This not only improves their quality of life but also stimulates local economies.
In Ebonyi State, where agriculture plays a significant role, empowering farmers with modern techniques and resources can enhance productivity and food security," she hinted.
Putting the empowerment in action, she disclosed that her foundation, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO) through the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, would distribute fertilizers to women in Agriculture, empower 195 persons in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) with equipment, barding kit, and sewing machines to Ebonyi women at the venue of the 2024 August meeting.
Mrs Nwifuru noted that the empowerment also extended into health care access and education about health issues, saying that her BERWO foundation provided free medical outreach (still ongoing) in the state; and urged the women to ensure they get checked before leaving the venue of the programme.
She further said, the theme of the August meeting, “A wise woman builds her home” serves as both an encouragement and a challenge for each one of the women across the state and beyond, noting that it calls women to embrace their roles as nurturers not just in terms of physical upkeep but in emotional support and spiritual guidance as well.
"Let us strive to be those wise women who build homes characterized by love, respect, positivity, and faithfulness. Together we can create environments where families flourish, where laughter echoes through hallways filled with warmth and where every member feels cherished," she advised.
She equally observed that "this theme resonates deeply within our hearts and minds as we reflect on the pivotal role women play in shaping not only their families but also their communities and our nation at large.
"As we gather here today, let us take a moment to reflect on the incredible strides we have made together. Women in Ebonyi State have shown extraordinary leadership across various sectors education, healthcare, business, and governance. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. You are paving the way for future generations of women who will continue to break barriers and shatter glass ceilings.
"Throughout history, women have played pivotal roles in shaping societies, leading with compassion, wisdom, and determination. The August meeting is a reminder of the above tenets. They sum up the collective power we wield as women - a signal that what we represent, transcends generations and touches the lives of those around us positively.
"In recent years, we have witnessed an increase in women’s participation in governance and leadership roles within Ebonyi State. This shift is not merely a statistic; it represents a profound change in our society’s perception of women’s capabilities. You have shown that women can lead with strength and compassion, making decisions that benefit not only their families but also our entire state.
"It is therefore audible to the deaf and visible to the blind, that this present administration led by my beloved husband, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, is gender-sensitive, supporting women on all fronts. As such, we must be firm, focused and committed in our respective and collective assignments, to prove ourselves capable of making significant changes in our society.
"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the great women in Ebonyi State who paved the way for us today through your contributions both seen and unseen to our society’s growth and development. Your strength inspires us all; your achievements pave the way for future generations.
"During this meeting, we will have the opportunity to address the issues that affect us, our families, communities and Ebonyi State. Our voices matter and we must speak up for what we believe in and work together to achieve them. Let us use this platform to discuss matters of health, education, empowerment, and economic development. Let us share our experiences, knowledge, and expertise to uplift one another and empower the next generation of women."
Earlier in her remarks, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Barrister Mrs Felicia Nwamkpuma, noted that Governor Nwifuru and his wife at the inception of the present administration understood the strategic roles women play in the family and indeed the society; and gave important policy and administrative positions to the female folks.
Nwamkpuma said the event has invoked the conscious efforts of all Ebonyi women to ensure peace and love reign in their communities, keeping their dignity intact to give womanhood the pride of place it deserves in national integration and development.
The Commissioner noted that the meeting would give women the opportunity to be integrated into community development projects and have women as stakeholders to guarantee a speedy and steady community development progress in the state.
She extolled the first lady of the state, for having infused beneficial programs for the Ebonyi rural women, via her pet foundation, BERWO, saying the feats have alleviated poverty level and engineered their access to quality and affordable healthcare services through Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, EBSHIA.
She advised Ebonyi women to be responsive as encapsulated in the year's theme, and described family as an essence of society and the quality and moral credence required for society starts from the individual homes.
While commending Governor Francis Nwifuru's administration's commitments to addressing the plights of Ebonyi women, she announced that the governor has signed the memorandum of understanding with the World Bank for the development assistance programme in the state called Nigerian Women Project.
In her words, Governor Nwifuru has released an initial state counterpart fund for the project to the tune of 450 million Naira. She urged Ebonyi women to be resilient and hopeful that even in these trying times of national history, Ebonyi has been getting it right as human infrastructural development remains at the core of the present administration in the state.
"The reconstructive programme of the World Bank and the state will enhance all aspects of our womanhood. Also, be assured of the diligence and cross-sectorial approach this programme will be to you all.
"To all community and social women groups, our revered women in the diaspora, women in entrepreneurship, and women in policy-making organs; the time is now for us to form a critical mass and maximize the environment created by our governor and his wife to rise above board and be the voices for the entire nation," Nwamkpuma asserted.
The Chairman of the Occasion and wife of the first Civilian Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Mrs Eunice Ukamaka Egwu commended Governor Nwifuru for embarking on people's oriented programmes, since assuming office, noting that he has surpassed his predecessors, in terms of all-inclusive leadership in the state.
One of the Resource Persons at the event including Dr Lilian Nwaobashi who delivered lectures on hygiene, urged the women to maintain body and environment cleanliness all the time. A Co-founder of Regina Pacis Foundation, while delivering lectures on Entrepreneurship urged the women to be active players in farming and other ventures which would make them to be wealth creators, employers of labour and self-reliant in society.
Another resource person, Pastor Amadi Nwokedi who gave lectures on home building, said a woman must be wise in building her home because it is God's mandate given to the female-folks. "Many women are into marriage out of ignorance, because they are yet to understand it's God's mandate to a woman to build her home - a permanent place to live on earth. It is a call for responsibility. It takes a responsible and wise woman to build her home, unlike an irresponsible and foolish woman who prefers destroying her home," Amadi posited.
He advised women to maintain a hygienic life, cook nice foods at home, take care of the children, with full respect to their husbands, including offering satisfactory sexual intercourse to their respective marital partners, wealth creation and keeping, acting as the watchdog of the family and truly demonstrating understanding, love, high sense of humility and faith in their unions, to build peaceful homes and society.
On her part, Dr Mrs Obinna Ogba who gave lectures on Comportment and Values, advised every married woman to always cherish and give her husband peace, if she loves him.
She advised women against the choice to be single or baby mummies, saying the step would not give the female folks a true representation and justification for God's purpose for human creation and society, both on the planet Earth and in Heaven.
