The Wife of the Anambra State Governor Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano 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 Anglican Communion held at the Cathedral Church of St. John, Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Reacting to a debate by Mothers in the church on the Role of Fathers and Mothers, the Wife of the Governor said there was no doubt that fathers were 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. Obiano pointed out that her commitment to caring for the less privileged and empowerment of indigent widows and women were borne out of her life passion and the need to support the administration of her husband Chief Willie Obiano, the Governor of Anambra state.
She continued, “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 were very appreciative of Governor Willie Obiano and his wife whom she described as “our mother and father in Anambra.”
Dame Efobi commended 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”.
