The wife of the
Anambra State governor Chief (Mrs.) EbelechukwuObiano has applauded mothers for
their role in stabilizing the family unit and ensuring the welfare and good
upbringing of the children. Mrs. Obiano made the commendation Sunday on the
occasion of the 2015 Mother’s Sunday of the Church of Nigeria held ` at the Cathedral Church of St. John
Anglican Communion, Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area.
Reacting to a
debate by Mothers in the church on the Role of Fathers and Mothers, the wife of
the governor said there is no doubt that fathers are the head of the family.
She buttressed her submission by acknowledging to the delight of the
congregation that “If not for my husband, I will not be addressing you.” She
however noted mothers are equally important because the absence of any of the
parents creates a vacuum in the family.
According to Mrs.
Obiano, “mothers play stabilizing role in the family. Hence, I encourage our
mothers to continue to be mothers. Bring up our children in the way of God,
when you spank a child with the right hand, you cuddle him with the left hand.
We should not just be mothers to our biological children, but should be ready
to correct and care for any child who misbehaves. If we all live up to our
responsibility, we build a better society.”
Speaking further,
Mrs. Obianopointed out that her commitment to caring for the less privileged
and empowerment of indigent widows and women is borne out of her life passion
and the need to support the administration of her husband Chief Willie Obiano,
the governor of Anambra state.
Said her: “Apart from my passion for what I do,
I felt that the best contribution I can make on the sidelines in support of my
husband is to uplift the less privileged and empower women. By providing for
those who don’t have, I find fulfillment in love of neighbour. Through women
empowerment, we stabilize the family.”
Mrs. Obiano said that she founded
the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), a non-governmental,
nonpartisan organization with a vision to be the beacon of sustainable
empowerment for women, widows and the less privileged.
“I have
initiated empowerment programmes, and vocational and skills acquisition
training in areas like Beauty therapy and Hairdressing. We recently graduated
the first batch of sixty-three trainees from Mary Sumner Vocational Institute
at Paul’s University Awka. CAFÉ also trains others in Tailoring, Soap making,
Agricultural projects like Fishery and Community Health services etc. On
graduation, the students are supported with equipment and seed money as
start-ups to manage their business and eventually add value to the society.”
In her vote of
thanks, wife of the Bishop of Anglican Communion, Dame Jane Efobi, said that
the women of Anglican Communion are very appreciative of Governor Willie Obiano
and his wife whom she described as “our mother and father in Anambra.”
Dame Efobicommended
the government’s policy of philosophy of Continuity which according to her has
led to a sustained development and impacted positively on the State.According
to the Bishop’s wife, “We all can testify that the governor is indeed working
to make Anambra prosperous. Our prayer is now that his work in one year is
evident beyond doubt; he will do greater things in the years ahead.”