Terfa Ayaga
9 November 2009
Yola — WOMEN cultural and elite groups in the country have been urged to reposition themselves to be able to face challenges in fostering the dignity of Nigerian women, if the prevailing voices of women on gender issues must penetrate the desired areas.
The former deputy vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, FUT in Yola, Adamawa State, Prof. Emmanuel Alo, who made the call at the launching of the Maiden Almanac of a Tiv women socio-cultural group, known as "Mtem U Dooshima" over the weekend, maintained that, Nigerian women must demonstrate sincerity in the goals they pursue through associations before Nigerians would come to understand the good intentions they have for the country.
Alo, who was the chief launcher in the ceremony informed the members of the association that their relevance as a group must be predicated on sustained interest of the positive ideals that the Nigerian culture stood for.
Also addressing the women, his counterpart from FUTY, Prof. Benki Womboh expressed displeasure, citing examples and circumstances where women dumped the positive objectives that bound them in a group and rather go out for sentiments.
Womboh who reminded the group of the enormous responsibilities they have as mothers, and for some as widows, also observed that, if women independence is a pride of greatness, then their desire must be properly guided by humility.
He recalled that, over the years, the country had experienced a disconnect between women and their culture, pointing out that the western culture was the major detaching factor which had disheveled women and their environment.
The guest speaker, Mr. Patrick Ayom who is editor of The Scope Newspapers, based in Yola, said that women must provide their ideological needs and the basis for developing their conscience, if they remember God in their activities.
He said the determination of women and the success of their governance through the associations they keep would give the country the conviction of entrusting them with positions of authority.
According to his paper, "the fear the nation has in placing women in positions of authority continues to frustrate our dream of building a country and achieving other goals we desire to pursue."
In her vote of thanks, the association's president, Mrs. Msurshima Swende explained that the common reasons that bring women together are to beat down on the burden the society places on the women.
She said the women needed a forum to discuss their common problems which provides better results above those results that are self induced.
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