President of the Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild of the Missionary Diocese of Oyo South, Dr ModupeFamiloni, has urged Christian mothers to intentionally raise their children in the fear of God and with unwavering Christian doctrine.

She disclosed thisat the opening ceremony of the first yearly Women’s Conference of the Missionary Diocese of Oyo South with the theme: “Keep Hope Alive,” held recently at the Cathedral Church of St. John, Akinmoorin, Oyo State.

She noted thatmany of the social problems confronting the nation are due to failures in family structure and called on women to remain steadfast in building strong family ties, nurturing godly children and contributing meaningfully to the development of Nigeria, despite the nation’s present socio-economic challenges.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, President, Mothers’ Union, said the theme reminds believers that regardless of prevailing circumstances, God is still on the throne and remains faithful to His promises.

She said: “The situation in Nigeria today can easily discourage anyone. Every day we are confronted with disturbing reports of kidnapping, killings, rape, economic hardship, among others, such reports are capable of affecting mothers’ emotionally and mentally. However, as children of God, we must not allow fear or hopelessness to define us. Our hope is in Christ, and we are confident that He will see us through every challenge.

“It is often said that when you educate a girl child, you educate a nation. Every woman is a nation builder because she nurtures the future through the children God places in her care. The values, discipline, faith and character we instill in our children, today, will determine the quality of leadership and citizenship Nigeria will have tomorrow,” she said.

Familoni called on the Oyo State Government to prioritise the health sector by upgrading healthcare facilities, recruiting medical doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, equipping hospitals with modern facilities and ensuring that every community has access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

The conference also urged the government to create an enabling environment that would reduce the continuous migration of healthcare professionals abroad, by improving the welfare of health workers.

Speaking on education, the women leader called for the need to increase investment in educational infrastructure, improved teachers’ welfare, create safer learning environments and to have a stronger collaboration among government, parents, communities and other stakeholders in the system to reduce the growing number of out-of-school children and improve the quality of education across the country.

Familoni also expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity in the country, and appreciated President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Amotekun Corps, and all other local security agencies for their commitment and coordinated efforts that culminated in the successful rescue of the abducted Oyo state school pupils and their teachers.

Describing their release as an answered prayer, Familoni urged both the Federal and Oyo State Governments to prioritise the total rehabilitation of the victims, noting that adequate care and support would help them recover from the traumatic experience of their ordeal.

She further called on governments at all levels to strengthen security around schools and communities through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced security architecture and proactive measures capable of preventing future occurrences.

The two-day conference attracted wives of clergy, women leaders, Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild members, and other Christian women groups across the Diocese.