The
last time I checked, the 2018 episode of the famous and revered August Meeting
annually observed by the womenfolk had already begun. As the name implies, the yearly
ritual, which seems peculiar to the Igbo race – particular Imo State – is meant
to invariably take place in August.
It suffices to say that Imo women are
currently observing the August Meeting in their respective communities of
origin. Women in various religious bodies, especially the Catholic dominion,
equally commemorate the event in a more unique and resounding pattern to the
delight of their fellow congregants.
Regarding that of the church, the members of
the men folk are usually required to collectively rally round their wives as
long as the meeting lasts, towards showcasing their unanimous support.
It’s noteworthy that various amazing events
are always showcased by the women throughout the gathering. They usually use
the occasion to discuss issues on how they could help the men folk to build
their respective societies.
This piece is informed by the
compelling need to conscientize these golden women on what is primarily
expected of their persons while they meet as well as the need for them to
variously stick to the rudimentary objectives that necessitated the institution
of the August Meeting. Hence, they must be sensitized to concentrate solely on
the subject matter.
The August Meeting was basically instituted
to help in the promotion of unity of purpose among the womenfolk in their
respective jurisdictions. It was understood that the anticipated unity would
enable the women in their numbers to assist the male counterparts in issues
bordering on societal uplift. According to the founders, there was need for the
women to acknowledge that they could not be kept in abeyance while discussing
most societal matters.
Years after the August Meeting was founded,
the supposed commendable gathering was abused when some of the women saw it as
an avenue to showcase their material worth, thereby intimidating their fellow
women who could not afford such possessions.
The
stipulated abuse was apparently at the expense of the husbands of those who
could be described as less-privileged, material wise. In the long run, owing to
such uncalled practice, competition ensued among the women who were expected to
work as a team.
Such kind of rivalry as the one
specified above, among others, resulted to a colossal setback as regards the
goal of the August Meeting commemoration. Hence, the progress of the event was
halted by the bad omen.
Thereafter, the more rational ones who
thought it wise to reinvigorate the lofty initiative, decided to make amends by
implementing some policies that could make their members act like a family
instead of people from diverse backgrounds. One of the remarkable rules is the
present culture that ensures that every member of the confraternity wears
uniform clothes.
Ever since the decorum was restored,
there have been series of societal projects embarked upon by the womenfolk in
their respective localities, though a few of them is still hell bent toward
acting as odd members amid their colleagues.
Whatever the case might be, there is
indeed a strong need to let this group of wives, and of course mothers, acknowledge
that they are bound to stick to the extant rules and regulations as they
observe the ongoing 2018 August Meeting in their various towns or clans, as the
case may be.
First, our lovely women must have this meeting
as one indivisible family. They must note that they would stand to achieve
nothing if they gather with diverse interests. It’s then needless to say that
they must possess only one voice so that they can deliberate on any issue at
hand without experiencing fracas amongst themselves as it is often witnessed in
most Houses of Assembly.
The women need to understand the basic need of
their immediate societies, and not that of where they reside. It’s not anymore
news that women residing in different states across the country, and even
beyond, converge on their communities of origin on an annual basis for the
August Meeting anniversary.
So, as they converge, they ought not to have
in their mindsets the need of the locality where they are based. Rather, what
ought to be of discourse is the need of the hosting locality and nothing more.
Another pertinent matter that requires
to be discussed among these revered women is an issue concerning their various
homes. Ab initio, a woman has been regarded as the manager of the home;
needless to assert that she is ostensibly in charge of the day-to-day
management of the home affairs such as the child’s upbringing, cookery, home
maintenance, and so on.
In view of this, they must deliberate
on issues that would help to curb the ongoing social decadence among our young
ones. They must understand that a child’s education starts from the home, thus
need to extensively discuss the better way they would henceforth be paying more
reasonable attention to their wards rather than the present trend where more
time is allocated to their trades or offices to the detriment of the children’s
future.
So, this year’s August Meeting ought
to serve as a wake-up call among the women in regard to their home
responsibilities. It is, therefore, inconsequential to remind them that the
forum shouldn’t be used as a political platform or what have you.
All in all, inasmuch as I wish our
women a joyous 2018 August Meeting celebration, my candid take remains that
they should use this occasion to proffer remedies to matters presently
affecting every facet of their respective immediate societies, because we can’t
afford to move aback at such a time like this. Think about it!
Comrade FDN Nwaozor
National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement
________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador
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