Group tasks women on family, nation

A social charity group Umuada di Igbo Mma (UDIM) plans schemes to build capacity for women to be empowered and take better care of children and families. Lilian Oguguo, an executive of UDIM, which started in Los Angeles years ago, said the scheme will be agriculture related and tap into popular need for fashionable clothing. […]

A social charity group Umuada di Igbo Mma (UDIM) plans schemes to build capacity for women to be empowered and take better care of children and families.

Lilian Oguguo, an executive of UDIM, which started in Los Angeles years ago, said the scheme will be agriculture related and tap into popular need for fashionable clothing.

“We need to go back to the land. Plant economically viable crops you can grow, sell, export, and that women can grow individually.”

 “I see so many positive things about women. Women have so many responsibilities. We just come together to try to have a focus and we have very limited time to achieve that,” said Oguguo.

UDIM inaugurated its Abuja chapter at the weekend after establishing presence in Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Rivers, Delta and Enugu—and brings together Igbo-speaking women to foster promotion of values, family, marriage and child rearing.

Ahead of its inauguration, the group donated food and household items to children at Zion orphanage, a slum neighbourhood of Lugbe, Abuja.

Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President, told the group to make harmonious living and national peace priorities.

‘Women are the nation builders, I have no doubt they will deliver in guiding the economic,  cultural and social growth of mothers and babies,” said Saraki, represented by wife of Senator Bassey Albert.

‘I am pleased to identify with the UDIM group, and I have no doubt these great women in this organisation will give these noble goals their best," she said.

The national coordinator of the group Beauty Ikeaka said, “We are promoting building our homes, raising great Igbo kids, teaching them our culture, speaking your primary language in your home.”

Former Anambra state governor Chukwumemeka Ezeife, noted, "This is a time we need, our mothers, our wives, our sisters to contribute to the development of our place.

‘Our place is in need of development, our men sometimes sell out, but the women are dogged, reliable, consistent, very reliable and very encouraging people,” Ezeife said.