By Michael Odiah
Omu Anioma, Obi Martha Dunkwu has implored Nigerians to discard the believe of a divided Country stating that the sacred blood of Nigerians spilled during the civil war has eroded all forms of disintegration in Nigeria
Her Royal majesty gave this charge at the Maiden edition of the Maryam Ndidi Babangida Memorial Annual Lecture which was held at the Unity Hall of Delta State Government House, Asaba on November 4, 2017 stressing the need for Nigerians to write off disintegration of the country as it has been settled by the civil war.
She submitted that Nigeria being the most populous black nation in the world, is not willing to give away that position which it currently occupies.
Speaking further, the reverend traditional ruler expressed her disappointments towards men stressing that men have failed God colossally while women have failed their children. Taking cognizance of the failed leadership of men at the federal, state and local levels, she also blamed the men for being the reason why women have failed the children stressing that the men have not created an enabling environment for women to perform their duties as mothers, wives and potential leaders.
Dr. Dunkwu also expressed disappointment amongst traditional rulers at the way they have turned to puppets in the hands of political leaders which had led to an evident colossal failure at its peak.
While speaking as the Royal Mother and Chairman of the memorial lecture, Obi Martha Dunkwu stressed on the need for women to emulate the attributes of late Mrs Maryam Babangida in all ramifications and stop seeing themselves as slaves to their husbands but being submissive to their husband and children which is a honorable act.
She challenged the organizers of the event on the need for the first son and first daughter of Late Mrs Babangida to be included in the board of trustees and based on the fact that former First lady was an international figure, the next annual lecture should hold in Minna and subsequent ones in Abuja and Lagos.
Also speaking at the Maryam Babangida Memorial lecture, Dr. Mrs. Fati Eunice Ibrahim stated that there is a pressing need for Late Mrs Babangida to be celebrated at all levels, adding that she was the initiator of Better life for Rural Women in 1987 which brought great exposure to women. Clinging on its vision which was centered on integrating the rural women into the political structure of every nation.
Dr Ibrahim advised both urban and rural women to equip themselves with information at all levels alongside technologies in farming, food processing and storage, stressing on the need for women to know their worth taking cognizance of Margaret Thatchers quote” if you want something done, look for a man, but If you want something done well, look for a woman”. Dr Ibrahim further stressed on the awful attitude of government officials who practically leave the scene of events just after delivering their speech.
In his welcome address, Convener of the Memorial Lecture and Elder brother of the late First Lady, Amb Ezeweanyi Leo Okogwu recalled that 70 years ago, a star was born into the family of the Okogwus called Maria Ndidi Okogwu who brought to birth what is today called office of the First Lady.
Amb Okogwu expressed displeasure that Nigerians seem to have forgotten the role played by late Mrs Babangida in the lives of Nigerian women adding that the Annual Memorial Lecture was initiated to keep the memories of Late Mrs Babangida alive least it goes extinct like the memories of Late Mrs Margaret Ekpo and Mrs Ransome Kuti, stressing that the Annual lecture was a birth of a line in the National anthem “thy labor of our heroes past shall never be in vain”.
He however thanked the Delta State Government ably led by His excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his contributions towards the inauguration off the lecture.
