IMO
WOMEN AND THEIR 2017 AUGUST MEETING
The
last time I checked, the 2017 episode of the famous August Meeting annually
observed by the womenfolk had already begun. The elaborate form of this yearly
ritual, which seems peculiar to the Igbo race – particularly Imo State – took
place in Owerri penultimate week in a grand style as organized by the state’s
First Lady Dr. Nkechi Okorocha.
The occasion in question, which saw the
presence of the Nigerian First Lady Hajia Aisha Buhari and the wives of the
entire governors across the federation, was graciously rounded off the
following day being Friday 4th August 2017. It’s noteworthy that
various amazing events were showcased throughout the gathering that hosted
almost all the women personalities in Nigeria.
It is worth noting that after the state show,
the 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.
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 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. 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, to stick to
the extant rules and regulations as they observe the ongoing 2017 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 suffices 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 base; rather, what should be of discourse is the need of
the hosting locality.
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.
Our women 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 this
forum shouldn’t be used as a political platform or what have you.
All in all, inasmuch as I wish our
women a joyous 2017 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
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
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