Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, has given comforting words to childless women, urging them not to see themselves as barren but as fruitful, potential, and proud mothers of children that would come in God’s time.
The Governor’s wife who spoke over the weekend during a Zoom meeting with Edo State women in the diaspora emphasized that God creates everyone to actualise their purpose in life, adding that such life should be sought.
The First Lady’s comment is coming at the peak of a viral video in which Senator Adams Oshiomhole made remarks about her being childless.
Recall that the disagreement erupted after Oshiomhole criticised Mrs Obaseki for her comments at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign event, where she introduced Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, wife of PDP's gubernatorial candidate, as the only candidate's spouse in the upcoming Edo election.
Mrs Obaseki had urged voters to support a candidate with a wife, denoting it would translate to women's empowerment.
However, Oshiomhole, obviously angered by this, stressed the Obasekis' lack of children. "I was shocked to hear Mrs. Obaseki say our candidate has no wife. Here is a woman who has no child. Between them, they are childless and have not adopted," he stated.
The First Lady while addressing more than 200 women, who joined the meeting from various countries via Zoom reminded the women that everyone was created by God for a purpose.
Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, the wife of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, also joined her in the meeting.
According to her, “Well, it is important that we as human beings seek to have deeper perspectives and purpose in life. As a human being, I believe what is most important is that we find our purpose.
She added, “Everyone is created by God to actualise their purpose in life and once we have that mindset and seek that in life, and we are happy with our lives and know that we are moving on in actualising God’s purpose for our lives, in bringing glory to God in the way we live our lives, then it wouldn’t matter if certain remarks are flung at you.”
She continued: “I will like to say to every woman and sister, if you feel hurt by whatever you heard; for me, I haven’t paid much attention to it.
‘’My word of comfort to you will be, in addition to seeking God’s purpose and finding fulfillment therein, I will say to those of you sisters who like myself had conceived and had miscarriages; who like myself had painful evacuations of our babies who have died in our wombs; who have conceived and birthed babies who died at birth or at different stages in life, and as we speak today do not have children to show for the trauma and the pains that we experienced in life; my word of comfort to you as I say to myself, is you are not barren.
“Don’t be hurt if anyone calls you that or if anyone calls your fellow woman that; you are not barren. I dare to call you fruitful. You and I are potential, prospective proud mothers of lovely children.
“The children will come in God’s time. So, hang in there. Hold your head up high. You are not barren. Enjoy the life that God has given you in the meantime.
“Thank God for what you have. Thank God for a loving spouse, like I have. I say I have the best husband in the world. Thank God for the love of family and friends and those support systems that God has given you.
“Enjoy the life that God has given to you. Find your purpose, face it and take your mind off this and before you know, it will happen. I have learnt that some people have been called to pay the price for some others.”
“Being fruitful is not limited to childbearing. It is about impacting lives and creating positive change in society. There is no point in feeling bad. Women can fulfil God’s purpose in many ways beyond motherhood.”
“Every population is made up of men and women and women always bring a delicate touch to the work of their male counterparts or husbands. Whether they are governors or any other elected public office holder, with a woman, a wife behind such a man, he is bound to do better because women bring their delicate touch, they also bring up the challenges that women and children face in the society, and support their husbands to address these issues. So, at the end of the day, society is better for it.”
