Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, has commended women’s commitment to nation building describing them as “heroines’’ who have contributed to improving family values and cohesion.
Mrs Jonathan in a statement issued by her media aide, Ayo Adewuyi was quoted to have said this at a special service to mark this year celebration Mothers’ Day at Aso Villa Chapel.
The president’s wife who hailed the strength and resourcefulness of the Nigerian women called for the removal of impediments which posed challenges to the progress and development of women and the girl-child.
“I felicitate with women nationwide and praise Nigerian women who have stood for the rebirth and transformation of a new Nigeria,” the statement quoted her as saying.
The statement said the First Lady urged Nigerian women to continue to use their positions as peace-makers and bridge-builders to work for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.
“Women are home-builders and peace-makers. A mother does not discriminate. She shares and she endures. A mother forgives, she loves naturally and unconditionally.
“Real mothers unite the nation and render selfless service to humanity,” she was quoted as saying.
The statement said Jonathan, quoting from the Holy Bible’s book of Proverbs, chapter 22 verse 6, appealed to mothers to “use their influence to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord’’.
It said she urged them to take advantage of the formative years of their children to teach them the difference between right and wrong.
“She called on Nigerians to serve the best interest of mothers everywhere by honouring and respecting them,’’ the statement said.
Also, the statement said the guest speaker at the service was Mrs Gloria Kwashi, wife of the Bishop of the Anglican Archdiocese, Jos.
It said she spoke on “Making use of opportunities in challenging times to raise children for God’’.
