Author and educationist, Dr Faith Chiejina, has called on husbands to provide greater support for their wives’ aspirations and careers, saying such support is essential for building stronger families and more stable marriages.

Chiejina made the call in Abuja during the unveiling of her new book, Rachel, a work she said was inspired by the life and experiences of her late paternal grandmother.

She explained that the book tells a story of struggle, faith, hard work and eventual fulfilment, while highlighting the virtues of patience, resilience and mutual support in family life.

According to her, one of the key messages of the book is that many women are often discouraged from pursuing their goals after marriage, a situation she said can limit both personal fulfilment and family progress.

She argued that successful marriages thrive on partnership and shared responsibility rather than placing the burden of family sustenance solely on the husband.

“The story of Rachel shows that every husband should support his wife to succeed. When a woman achieves her goals, she contributes to the family, supports the children and helps reduce pressure on the husband,” she said.

Chiejina noted that women have historically played significant roles in the success of their families through hard work, dedication and sacrifice, adding that husbands should create an enabling environment for their wives to realise their full potential.

She further urged couples to see marriage as a team effort, where both partners support each other’s dreams and aspirations for the overall benefit of the family.

The author also emphasised the importance of patience and perseverance, noting that people often face difficult periods in life but must remain steadfast in pursuit of their purpose.

“In life, there will always be struggles, pains and challenges, but people must learn to endure and remain patient. If you persevere, you will eventually achieve your purpose,” she said.

Reviewing the book, Angel Fortune described Rachel as a compelling story of faith, resilience and self-discovery centred on a woman who refused to be defined by societal expectations despite personal challenges.

She said one of the book’s strongest messages is the importance of spousal support, noting that the protagonist remained industrious while waiting for her breakthrough because she enjoyed the encouragement of her husband.

Fortune also encouraged young people to cultivate the reading habit, describing books as valuable tools for learning, personal development and gaining insight from the experiences of others.

Presenting the book, Sir Chika Dada Chiejina, husband of the author, described Rachel as a thought-provoking work that explores key societal issues, particularly those relating to marriage, faith, patience and perseverance.

Chiejina said the book tells the story of a woman who endured years of childlessness and personal loss, yet remained steadfast in her faith and commitment to her marriage despite mounting pressures.

According to him, the narrative reflects challenges that many families face and highlights the importance of resilience and trust in God during difficult times.

He noted that the story raises important questions about the stability of modern marriages and the willingness of couples to remain committed during periods of hardship.

“The book demonstrates that patience and faith can help people navigate even the most difficult circumstances. It reminds readers that while challenges may persist for years, solutions often come in God’s own time,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of AS Management Agency, Rhoda Kusimo Iloba, described the book as an accessible, beautiful narrative of survival that offers vital emotional strength and grace to modern women navigating marital humiliation.

Iloba added that Chiejina’s emergence as a first-time creative writer at the age of 63 serves as an inspiration to the literary community, demonstrating that profound storytelling has no age barrier.