By Vivian Onyebukwa
Mbaise United Ladies Club (MULC) has called on women to contribute to nation-building. The call was made at the annual end-of-the-year party of the group in Lagos. MULC is the umbrella body of all Mbaise daughters and wives living all over the globe.
In her speech, the president of the club, Mrs. Iwu Okwuchi Dorcas, did not totally blame the women for the increased rate of crime in the country as regards their duties as mothers, she rather blamed the economic situation, which, according to her, has somehow not been fair to women. She said: “They are going out more than they used to because of the economic situation. The man’s salary and income can no longer carry the family alone.
“He has to pay school fees, house rent and bring money to the house. It’s not enough for anybody, so the mothers have to go out and work. Even if they don’t work, they have to find something to do which takes them out of the house, and most of the time the children are left with the maid or sent to school or wherever. So that training of children when the mother is there all the time is not there.”
Iwu equally blamed culture, broken homes and social media as part of the causes of social menace in the country. “Children no longer concentrate on things they are supposed to do. Gone are the days when they say, ‘like father like son’.
“Children are now influenced by the environment. We really have to pray for them. I am not saying that they would be perfect, but we pray for them because there is nothing God can not do. We pray that God would direct their steps. Pray with them often.”
She also urged members of the club to continue to work harder to ensure the success of the union. “We quarrel, fight a lot but it is just to ensure that we get it right. Whatever we do, don’t take it at heart. I am only trying to ensure that we make it right. “Whatever we are doing is for our collective interest. Keep doing the good work to ensure that the association would get to that auto pilot level so that it can even function without anybody. I plead for corporation and support so that in the next five to 10 years, you should be proud to say, yes, I am a member of MULC. We are growing, employing every strategy to ensure that in the next five to six years, you should be proud to identify with the club”.
In her word of exaltation titled, ‘Building family legacy inspite of modernity’, Mrs Chinyere Obi- Okonkwo described modernity as everything that comes around to change the old traditional ways in other to make things better.
She said: “Modernity, some say, is change. From ancient times, change has been taking place. The only thing that is permanent is change, and as a result, we have gone from the old ways to new ways of doing things.”
Obi-Okonkwo noted that these new ways started from the ancient time through industrial revolution, breakthrough in science and knowledge, culture and education, which has necessitated change.
“Now, cancer is ravaging the world. We are praying that change will also bring breakthrough that will save the world from cancer. Even our behaviours at home have gone through so many changes. Modernity has swept us that now we don’t even know where we are.”
She blamed Satan for all the woes. According to her, Satan has employed different strategies to stabilise families, explaining that there are ten of such.
“The first strategy of Satan is to attack the family. These days, we no longer correct our children, unlike in those days when you beat a child when he went wrong. Modernity or not, we shall discipline our children. Don’t remove the traditional family structure,” she added.
She also frowned at legalisation of abortion and described homosexuality as a taboo in Africa which should not be legalised. Killings, kidnapping has become the other of they. These, she said, are all works of Satan.
She went further to condemn inappropriate dressing such as tattered trousers and skimpy clothes, and described them as nauseating, therefore should not be encouraged.
The internet and media, she stated, has also destroyed the minds of children. “It is used to commit all sorts of crime. Modernity has its advantages and disadvantages,” she said.
Obi-Okonkwo, however, urged the government to make laws, whereby the church and parents should follow. “Adults should open up and condemn evils so as to bring up young generations that will take over the world. Build legacy for the children. Do not overlook God in anything you do. He is the creator of everything.
“Teach your children your faith. Don’t let the school or church teach them. Parents should live by example. When you are bringing up your children, reprimand them. Talk to them one on one. Pray with them. Family prayer is very powerful. Correct them with love when they go wrong. Don’t curse them, but be firm. Let your children know that you are in charge,” she advised.
Going down the memory lane, the founder, MULC Mrs Nwamadi Getrude, recalled that the club was inaugurated about five years ago. The vision of the club, she said, was conceived in 2017 after a cultural and social gathering where solidarity was the order of they, and literally solved a problem that would have been a herculean task for the organisers.
On the mission of the club, she said: “Our mission is to function as a social-cultural association, foster love, unity, co-operation and progress amongst members. It is also to support the spiritual education, cultural and economic well being of members and Mbaise community. The club was equally established to galvanise our talents, treasure and time to ensure that we work for love, sustainability and selfless service for the good of our members and our home activities.”
Nwamadi noted how the activities of the club have enhanced and attracted expansion to their home state, Imo, all the South East states of Nigeria, Abuja and in the United States.
“The march towards reaching every part of the world where Mbaise ladies reside and work is moving on and by the grace of God we shall not stop until Mbaise nation becomes the envy of every Nigerian,” she said.
Awards were given to some notable individuals in recognition of their contributions to the development of the club. They included Chief Martins Nwamadi, Chief Jude Njoku and Chief Ukwujuariri George.