Minister to speak at 3rd Holy Mother Elizabeth Olumba Obu conference on exemplary motherhood in Calabar
By Akpan David, Calabar
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has confirmed readiness to speak at this year’s Holy Mother Elizabeth Olumba Obu Conference, the third edition on need to uphold exemplary motherhood and play a greater role in shaping responsible families and communities.
The annual Mother Elizabeth Obu Conference is scheduled to hold in Calabar on October 2 in Calabar.
The conference, with the theme, “Building Women of Capacity, Projecting Virtues of Divine Motherhood,” is expected to bring together women from different backgrounds for discussions on family values, personal development and economic empowerment.
The conference coordinator, Mrs Winifred Okafor, said the programme would also feature an empowerment initiative targeting 800 young women and 150 pupils and students from 50 secondary and tertiary institutions in parts of Nigeria.
According to her, beneficiaries will receive varying forms of scholarships and financial support, while 10 elderly women will receive welfare assistance and another 10 women will be supported with resources for small-scale businesses.
She added that selected farmers would receive seedlings, while 13 trainees would receive starter packs to enable them commence businesses in their respective trades.
Okafor said the initiatives were designed to promote women’s development while reflecting the values associated with the legacy of Holy Mother Elizabeth Obu, particularly in enterprise, philanthropy and support for families.
She said the conference was not limited to religious activities but would also address issues affecting women, families and society.
“The women will transform families, families will transform society, and a transformed society will drive a productive economy,” Okafor said.
Other speakers expected at the conference include Professor Peace Irefin, a professor of Sociology and Gender Studies; MCS Elizabeth Ekong, Chief Executive Officer of Trans Organic; London-based child rights advocate, MCS Kay Ofo; and Her Eminence (Dr) Imani Sailas, Clinical Director of Imani Clinic, Abuja.
Ekong is expected to speak on career building, mentorship and converting talent into wealth, while Ofo will address the power of forgiveness. Sailas will speak on personal hygiene and self-branding.
Professor Emem Ayankop-Chikwe of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, will lead a panel discussion on “Virtues of Divine Motherhood in a Modern World,” under the chairmanship of MCS Timi Digitieme.
The conference slogan is “Give Opportunity! Gain Capacity! Display Virtues!”
The programme will also feature a craft competition for selected participants. Okafor said entries must be original and produced manually at the conference venue.
She listed the competition categories to include beadwork, textile and fashion, household and decorative crafts, recycled and eco-friendly crafts, visual arts, painting and sculpture, as well as pastry, food and cake decoration.
The conference is part of the tripartite events organised by Mansion of Blessedness, led by MCS Glory Oho and Universal Women’s Fellowship led by MCS Dr Mmama Obele, two women’s groups affiliated with the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star.
Okafor said the conference is sponsored by the spiritual leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu.
