by Ubani Newman Ubani
Every great mother desires her children to live and belong to a better society. For everyone, no matter their socio-economic status, the ideal community is one in which the systems work, the living standards are high, and the lives and properties of all its members are safeguarded. It is the deepest desire of every human to live in a society where “I am respected, you are respected”, and the dignity of our existence is valued and upheld.
A good mother is one who strive to have her children grow up in a society devoid of insecurity. Societies that have its core value as the protection and development of children. A better culture where the rights and privileges of children are valued and upheld. This is the quest that makes motherhood worth the while.
What else is motherhood?
The love that engulfs you from the moment of conception until the moment you birth the child?
Or is it just the act of pushing a baby out?
All of the above are just a fraction of what makes a great mother.
According to the Holy Bible, good mothers are depicted as honourable beings worthy of the love and respect of their children and the entire community. Motherhood is nurturing; it is what you do for those you love. It is having a heart that is so much larger and deeper, one with a depth that accommodates all your children and, most times, even the neighborhood children.
Who then is a mother?
A mother is the wife of Abia State Governor, Nkechi Ikpeazu Ph,D, mother to the great people of Abia, who consistently runs through the edges of power to improve and make Abia a more peaceful and habitable place to live in. She is no idle mother, nor is she a First Lady who crosses her legs in the corridors of power. Not at all!
Esther, the biblical heroine, known for her bravery and noble deeds, would be proud of Mrs. Ikpeazu’s noble strides even as she was recently honoured with an award of excellence.
The recent prestigious award by the British Government is evident that Abia First Lady, Nkechi Ikpeazu Ph.D has accumulated a long list of notable achievements over the years. It’s been said that she’ll go down in history as one of the most brilliant, powerful, and courageous woman of all time.
The award, which was presented to her through Westminster Foundation for Democracy, an independent agency established by the British Parliament, in 1992, to help strengthen democratic development overseas is in recognition of her outstanding dedication in making a difference in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
To achieve this feat, she marshalled her objectives through the virtues of legislative prowess of Abia State House of Assembly on July 13, 2021. Among other things, she requested that legislators speed up the passage of the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Bill, the Obnoxious Widowhood Practices Prohibition Bill, and the State Child Rights Law, which was first passed in 2006 but has since become obsolete.
Abia State’s Blood Group Identification and Prohibition of Violence against Persons laws was equally her brainchild.
When it comes to championing the needs of her people, Nkechi Ikpeazu is undoubtedly the mother Theresa of our time. Through several capacity building and training programs some individuals have been trained to advocate against gender-based violence (GBV). So far, the response trends for both actors and responders have been organized and the future look quite promising.
Also in line with her campaign against SGBV, she has organized town hall meetings in rural and semi-urban areas, just as the SGBV Technical Working Group and Abia State SGBV resource center was officially established, reconstituted and strengthened under her watch.
Thanks to the relentless efforts of Mrs. Ikpeazu, the Governor established a SGBV Action Committee that was charged with promptly responding to incidents at the State level with his wife, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu to serves as its chair. The success of this committee is hinged on its ability to provide cross-sectional coordination as it comprises of members from every state sector with interest in SGBV.
Abia’s First Lady, Dr. Nkechi Ikpeazu has proven she is not a ceremonial figure in Abia State. As the saying goes, “a soiled hand begets full stomach.” Posterity will judge her kind, history will equally remember her as the mother Teresa of our time. A mother who came, saw and conquered.
Mummy, take a bow!!!
Ubani Newman Ubani is a promoter of a better Abia State.