Chioma Ezike
The wife of the Bishop on the Niger, Dr. Elsie Nonyelum Nwokolo, has called on parents to prioritize skill acquisition for male children, stressing its critical role in their personal development and future success.
Speaking at the 2025 Ogidi Archdeaconry Women’s Conference, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Ogidi, Anambra State, Dr. Nwokolo expressed concern over the societal imbalance in child-rearing, where more attention is often given to training girls while boys are left without the same level of guidance and empowerment.
“We must equip our boys with technical, entrepreneurial, and life skills to enable them become productive members of society and contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.
She warned against the rising get-rich-quick syndrome among young males, urging parents, educators, and policymakers to work together to provide practical skill-building opportunities. Dr. Nwokolo, fondly known as “Mama Niger”, emphasized the need for balanced parenting and education for both boys and girls, calling it essential for holistic societal growth.
Themed “Christian Stewardship,” the three-day conference drew women from 24 churches across the Ogidi Archdeaconry and featured seminars on spiritual growth, health, relationships, and fervent prayers for the nation.
In her address, the conference convener and wife of the Archdeacon, Dr. NenyeFrank Obi, decried the increasing incidents of gender-based intimidation and abuse, calling on women to stand firm and assert their rights.
“It’s time for women to say ‘No’ to all forms of emotional, physical, and even non-verbal harassment. We must raise our voices, even under pressure,” she stated.
She also lamented Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis, noting that millions of Nigerians are being plunged into poverty by high food prices, increased electricity tariffs, and surging fuel costs.
“I won’t even go into unimplemented policies or the corruption in high and low places. What Nigeria needs now are fervent prayers and sound economic reforms,” she added.
On his part, the Archdeacon of Ogidi Archdeaconry, Venerable Frank Obi, cautioned against the overemphasis on prosperity in churches at the expense of moral teachings.
“The root of many societal problems is the erosion of morals. The church must refocus on teaching values, not just prosperity. Recently, 22 young Nigerian men—mostly Igbos—were hanged in Indonesia. Our youth must be taught that quick money and fraud will only lead to destruction,” he said.
The host, Vicar of St Peters Anglican Church Ogidi and Chaplain Ogidi Arcdeaconry Women Ministry Revd Chukwudi Ezeobieri, described the theme “Christian Stewardship” as both timely and reflective of the responsibilities Christians bear in today’s world.
“Christianity is a different system. We must follow Christ’s teachings in offering service to God and society,” he noted.
Lady Oby Obiakor, President of the Women’s Fellowship (Home and Abroad), warned against the rampant proliferation of worship centers in the name of religion, advising women to exercise caution when making religious choices.
The high point of the conference was a seminar on the “Paradox of Relationships,” along with sessions on health, skill acquisition training, and the conferment of the “Jerusalem Mothers” award on four women for their outstanding contributions to church development: Ezinne Virginia Ebele, Ezinne Esther Okeru, Ezinne Gladys Amobi, and Mrs. Ibeto Chikodili Ebele.