The Acting Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. Alabi Bliss Oshionogue, has underscored the indispensable role of mothers in nation-building, emphasizing their influence in shaping future generations.
Hon. Oshionogue made this assertion during a courtesy visit by the winners of the 2024 Miss Akoko-Edo Beauty Pageant at the council headquarters in Igarra, Edo State.
He highlighted the pivotal role mothers play in nurturing children, particularly in their formative years, citing their emotional attachment and hands-on involvement in upbringing.
While men traditionally serve as the heads of families, ensuring overall stability, women are the heart of the home, deeply involved in raising and mentoring their children. This synergy is crucial for the well-being of the family and, by extension, the nation, he stated.
The council chairman urged the pageant winners and future mothers to use their influence to support government initiatives aimed at improving child development and education. He lamented the decline in the public school system, attributing it to past administrative misgovernance, and called for a deeper understanding of governance to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
He said that as future mothers, they had a duty to mentor the younger generation in homes, schools, religious institutions, and public spaces, noting that in the past, fathers provided farm produce while mothers contributed other essentials for family sustenance. This seamless partnership underscores the critical role of women both within and outside the country, he added.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Miss Akoko-Edo 2024 winner, Mary Okuo, expressed appreciation for the chairman’s leadership and congratulated him on his elevation from leader of the legislative arm to council chairman.
Okuo who was accompanied by the first runner-up, Miss Favour Richard, revealed that each awardee has initiated individual pet projects as a way of giving back to society. She announced their plans to distribute customized exercise books, pencils, and pens to support pupils’ education, while also extending an invitation to Hon. Oshionogue for the 2025 Miss Akoko-Edo Beauty Pageant, slated for April 22, 2025, at the Red Roof.
